Boise Area Fishing Opportunities

[SuperT]

So, now I'm stuck way over here with lots of water to fish, but I don't even know where to begin. Is there anyone that has spent any time here or is here now that can give me a good shove in the right direction. Next weekend the wife will be out of town so I plan on covering as much of the local water as possible. I don't need any secret spots or anything, just names and locations of lakes and/or streams with some good trout populations. Hopefully someone can offer some help. I'm dying out here! And all of you bragging about your salmon isn't helping! images/icons/grin.gif Thanks.
Tony

[fishinfreak]

Lucky Peak Reservoir usually has a fairly descent trout population. From what I've heard though the reservoir is really low because of the lack or rain, get used to it there. I can't remember exactly how to get there but it's East of town kind of out past the airport and Micron. Also I've seen a lot of people fishing the Boise River which runs right through town. I've never tried it but I see a lot of people there when I visit. Earlier in the season check out Anderson Ranch Reservoir. It's about a 2hr drive from Boise but when the water is up they have awesome Kokanee fishing. My grandparents live there so I can't remember exactly how to get there put you go to Mountain Home and then North kind of towards Sun Valley. It's a huge lake so it shouldn't be too hard to spot on a map. Good Luck!

[Predator Dawg]

SuperT,

Look into fishing Silver Creek up in Sun Valley. Its no secret spot, but well worth the drive. This should be about the best month to fish there. Would love to hear how you do if you go.

Steve

[ 10-12-2001: Message edited by: Saltine ]

[local_hooker]

The owyhee river below the dam should be low enough to start targeting those big browns.

October is also a great time to target small mouth bass in that area. 99% of the people that fish in that area also hunt, so you'll have the whole place to youself. If you have a boat try the snake, boise, and payette rivers. Anchor just above any creek, stream, or farmers ditch entering the river and work the area with a 3" pumkin seed grub, any crawdad imitation will work but that is my favorite.

The steelhead are in and will be picking up in the next month in Orofino, it's only 4.5 hrs. north and worth the drive.

good luck

Sean

[Mr. Fisherman]

Well, since you asked...

Brownlee Res. is full of fish. The catfish are huge and the fishing is good at night. Take a lantern and have a good time. My fiorst cast into that lake I caught a nice small mouth bass. Don't eat the fish though. They have a high content of Mercury.

You should also try C.J. Strike res. outside of Mt. Home. There are some good Pheasant hunting there too. Ducks too.

The Snake river is going to be hot for steelies too.

Hope you have fun,

Mr. F.

[sockeyedan]

South Fork of the Boise below Anderson Dam is where I used to put in alot of hours. From Mt Home head towards Sun Valley...it's about an hour up the road. Best bet is to get some info at local flyshops for current SF conditions. Should be cool enough the snakes are sluggish anyhow.
In the SV area fish the Bigwood between Ketchum and Hailey. There still are some good public access points that are on rec. maps of the area. Didn't fish alot below Hailey but always heard reports of Jumbo Fish coming out of Magic Reservoir. Theres also Magic and Mormon reservoirs south of the Valley but I'm sure they're drawn way down by now.
Silver Creek, either in the Conservancy or downstream towards Point of Rocks could be killer. Daytime can be a bit technical. Go for slinging big leeches at night around Point of Rocks...Big Brown Alley!!
If you've got the time to kill, going east of SV, Picabo, and Craters of the Moon will land you in the Big Lost drainage. I used to fish above Mackey in the Winter and heard how great the fall fishing was (lots of private land however). Finally, used to love to drive to Idaho Falls, run up to Pallisades, and spend a day drifting the SF of the Snake. Call Scott Schnebley at Lost River Outfitters in SV. He got me going fishing that area when I lived there and is a great guy...lots of free info and no pressure to buy anything. Phone #208-726-1706.
Wish I was in your shoes...gladly trade the coastal rivers for the freestone steams...trade jobs?!!!
Keep us posted on how the fishing is.

[SuperT]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm still not sure exactly where I'm going, but I'm sure to get into the fishies now. And, Ray, you just had to mention the burritos didn't you. Hopefully, I'll be able to arrange another oversize trip with you and Dan next spring. I think I'm still a little sore from that last (first)one. Thanks again guys and no deal on that job exchange sockeyedan. I need to get my licks in here before I move back to the civilized world again.
Tony images/icons/grin.gif

[nwjetboat]

Locally try the Middle Fork of the Boise river for large trout, careful though, some sections are special regs, single barbless hooks or fly fish only.
Silver Creek is super if you flyfish.
I would hit the Riggins area for steelhead, its 3 hrs north. Blue Fox spinners, and steelie spoons are working good. River should be falling after last rain. Try the Park Hole (city park), confluence of the Little Salmon, or Shorts Bar just upstream.
If you think this is uncivilized, you should have been here 15 years ago!!!
How long are you here??

[SuperT]

I just transferred out here so I plan on being here a while. I seem to like it more and more each day. As a matter of fact I took a little trip out your way this morning nwjb. Went to the trophy pond at Wilson Springs and landed 8, all of them between 15 and 20 inches. Considering it's single barbless hooks, I probably lost 20 or so. After that, I'm starting to miss Western OR a little less. images/icons/grin.gif. Enough people have been telling me how great the fishing is at Riggins the past week or so that I think I know one of the places I'll go this weekend.
Tony

[nwjetboat]

If you want to use an outfitter for your first trip to the Riggins area, I recomend you try Rapid River Outfitters. Kerry or one of his guides will show you a good day of fishing. http://www.ohwy.com/id/r/rapiriou.htm