Idaho Fish Report

FLAMING GORGE: (December 13) The northern portion of the reservoir has ice -- about four inches at the confluence and 10 above Firehole. The Burbot Bash started Nov. 15 and continues through Jan. 26, 2014. You can register online until the last weekend.

Kokanee Salmon: The reservoir has reopened to the take of kokanee salmon, but there haven't been any new reports from anglers.

Rainbow Trout: Spoons, jigs and crankbaits are working well from shore and behind boats. We continue to get reports of schools on rocky points and in the backs of the bays, which can create some fast fishing.

Lake Trout: Anglers report good to excellent fishing. Schools, small groups and singles can be anywhere. If you spot a large group, try holding position and drop a vertical presentation such as a jigging spoon (chartreuse) or a three-inch tube jig (white). Tip your lure with a small chunk of sucker meat and vary jigging activity until you determine the behavior of the fish. If jigging doesn't produce, try trolling through or just above the school. Also troll along the shorelines, where schools may be cruising for food. Try different lures, including brightly colored spoons or crankbaits. Mix it up to develop a pattern. Keep your limit of small lake trout. They are tasty, and removing some of them will help both the lake trout and kokanee fisheries. The Linwood Bay nighttime closure is in effect until Dec. 14.

Smallmouth Bass: Bass fishing has slowed, and there are no new reports.

Burbot: Anglers are catching burbot from the shore, ice and boats. The ice is about four inches thick at the confluence, and it's moving south quickly. Fishing has been good to excellent from boats, with some anglers catching 50 to100 fish per boat in one night. Try fishing for a few hours, starting around sunset, along the rocky points, cliffs and the old channels. Burbot will hit during the day, generally in the deeper waters; however, they become more active during the twilight hours when they move into the shallows to forage. If you fish after dark, make sure you use boat safety lights and spotlights. Fish the bottom (or just slightly above it) in depths from 10-50 feet. Use just about anything that glows (e.g., spoons, tube jigs, curly-tailed jigs, minnow jigs) and tip your lure with some type of bait. (Cut bait, like sucker meat, is recommended). Place your lure within inches of the bottom and recharge the glow frequently. It is common to catch a fish immediately after recharging a lure. Anglers are now limited to the summer regulations on poles. You can have one pole with a fishing license or two poles with a two-pole permit. You'll help the Flaming Gorge fishery by harvesting as many burbot as possible. There is no limit on burbot. The Burbot Bash will be Nov. 15, 2013 to Jan. 26, 2014. The tagged fish contest continues throughout the tournament, and there will be special prizes for the most, biggest and smallest burbot on the closing weekend (Jan 24-26). All contestants are also included in a drawing for a two-year truck lease. For more information -- or to register -- visit the Burbot Bash website.