Idaho Fish Report

As of Feb. 2, the Cisco run is mostly over. There were no cisco along the beach and cisco fishing was spotty last weekend. Anglers will likely be able to jig for cisco this week and then they cisco fishing will drop off. If you're jigging for cisco from a boat, try fishing in 20 to 25 feet of water off the Pump House or 35 to 40 feet of water off the rockpile. Bear Lake is open water and there is no ice on the lake. There is no snow on ground, either, so the east side boat ramps are clear and open. Courtesy docks have also been placed back into the water at First Point and Rainbow Cove. Fishing is very good for cutthroat trout, whitefish and a few lake trout. Anglers targeting trout are fishing using tube jigs tipped with cisco or worms right on the bottom in 35 to 70 feet of water. Try fishing off the rockpile near Ideal Beach, off the new rockpiles north of the marina, at 2nd Point, from Cisco Beach or north to the state line. Other anglers are trolling and catching fish in these same locations using Rapalas and flatfish with downriggers. Remember, you must use lures that are legal for fishing for other types of fish while fishing for cisco, but foul-hooked cisco can be kept. Any other foul-hooked species must be returned immediately. Cutthroat trout without a healed fin clip must also be released.