Idaho Fish Report

Surface temperatures are in the mid-40s. The reservoir dropped seven feet this summer to the current elevation of 6,011 feet. All boat launches are open except for Anvil Draw. Some launches, such as Antelope Flat, are partially covered with sediment after being inundated for so many years. There have also been some issues with rocks on the launches (Buckboard and Mustang Ridge), so be careful when dropping lower units. Ice has started forming at Firehole, which will restrict boats from launching.

Lake trout: Recent fishing reports indicate that lake trout fishing success has been good. Lake trout have been caught using a variety of methods including casting jigs toward shore, jigging deep and even trolling baits throughout the water column. This is a great time of year to target lake trout, specifically small ones, which are overabundant. If casting toward shore, use white tube jigs, Berkley Gulp or PowerBait minnows (3-4 inches) and 3/8-ounce weights. Let the jig fall while giving it occasional twitches. Most of the hits come on the fall. Good lures to vertically jig are jigging spoons (such as Crippled Herrings), jigging raps, blade baits like Berkley Vibratos and 3.5-inch tube jigs in 1/4- to 3/8-ounce weight and tipped with sucker or chub meat. White and chartreuse are good colors to start with. Trolling with crankbaits has been good near the surface at about 1.6 to 1.8 mph. If you mark fish deep, try dropping and trolling spoons in silver, rainbow trout and chartreuse colors. Please help the resource by harvesting some of the overabundant lake trout under 25 inches. This size class of fish makes exceptional table fare. 

Kokanee salmon reminder: Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30.

Rainbow and cutthroat trout: Fishing has been very good near shore using lures like spinners, spoons, and jigs or bait presentations. Tip the lures with Gulp maggots or a small amount of bait for more enticement. Some nice rainbow trout up to 22 inches are also being caught while casting jigs toward shore. 

Smallmouth bass: Recent reports indicate success has slowed but some fish are still being caught using jigs and swim baits. Remember: The limit in Utah is three fish and catch-and-release only in Wyoming. In Utah, please minimize harvest of the larger bass as they're older, slow-growing fish. 

Burbot: There haven't been many angling reports, but with cooling water temperatures, expect burbot fishing to pick up. The best time period to target burbot is at night. Anglers should fish rocky points and shorelines using glow-in-the-dark lures like Yamamoto grubs, Radical Glow tubes and Northland Buckshot spoons. Tip the lure with sucker or chub meat, recharge glow frequently, and jig or deadstick the presentation a couple of inches from the bottom. Please remember all burbot must be killed.