Idaho Fish Report

On Dec. 27, the Division of Parks and Recreation sponsored an ice fishing tournament for the largest rainbow trout. The winning fish measured 15 5/8 inches. In 5th place was a 12 3/8-inch rainbow. A chub fishing derby was held concurrently. The top three anglers took a combined total of 203 chubs. Most participants described trout fishing as slow. Among the rigs that worked best were Jakes lures or white jigs tipped with chub meat or nightcrawlers. Su Jones, who didn't enter the competition, caught two 14-inch rainbows and a number of 10 to 12-inch cutthroats using Velveta cheese, fished just off the bottom. On Dec. 23, Aquatics Biologist Calvin Black reported fast fishing in five to seven feet of water near the Mountain View boat ramp. His most effective rigs were a 1/4-ounce white marabou jig or 2-inch tube jig in white, green, yellow or orange. He tipped his jigs with chub meat or nightcrawlers. In two hours, Calvin and his partner caught 30 cutthroat trout, ranging from 12 to14 inches with one exception that measured almost 19 inches. Calvin described the bite as extremely light.