Idaho Fish Report

The dry year that has impacted much of the west certainly impacted Illipah Reservoir, with water capacity sitting at about 50% and ice forming on the lake.  There should still be some open water this weekend for shore fishing, but expect that to end next week with overnight lows well below freezing and daytime highs at or just above freezing.   Anglers will do well on nightcrawlers, mealworms, a variety of jigs, wet flies, and powerbait.  Surface water temperatures are in the upper 30’s to low 40’s and while there may be some skim ice along the shoreline in the mornings, fishing should be good.  Best flies right now are leech or wooly bugger patterns.  Fly rodders will also do well on bead head pheasant tails, wooly buggers, chironomids and parachute Adams.  Spinners, PowerBait, and nightcrawlers will do well for the spin casting crowd.