April 12, 2012
Fishing report for the Clearwater Region
Steelhead
Steelheading is always a mixed bag this time of
year. While fishing is slowing down on the Snake, Salmon and Lower
Clearwater, anglers in other areas are still enjoying a great spring season.
Steelhead are still being caught in the upper
Clearwater around Kamiah and Kooskia, and on the North Fork Clearwater at
Orofino. Anglers drifting baited jigs, corkies, and bobbers are doing the
best. Anglers fishing the South Fork Clearwater River up to and above
Golden are also doing well.
The Little Salmon River at Riggins produced some
great fishing last week and should stay good through the end of April, depending
on the river flows.
Lowland Lakes
Spring brings some of the best fishing of the year
at our lowland lakes. By the end of April, most of these water will be
stocked with catchable rainbow trout.
Winchester Lake can provide good trout, yellow
perch and crappie fishing through the spring. Spring Valley or Moose Creek
are good spots for trout or bluegill. Elk Creek Reservoir has good rainbow
and brook trout fishing. Mann Lake near Lewiston can provide some great
trout, crappie, and bass fishing in the spring.
The best kokanee fishing on Dworshak Reservoir is
usually in April, May and June, with most of the action occurring between the
dam and Dent Bridge. Water levels in Dworshak are usually down as far as
80 feet in the early spring but rise to nearly full pool by June. Boat anglers
trolling slowly with weighted line or 1-3 oz weights with standard spinner-gear
with hooks baited with maggots or corn are reporting fair catches.
Rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing will also be
picking up with the onset of warmer weather, especially at mouths of tributary
streams.
Remember from Dec. 1 through Friday before Memorial
Day weekend, the reservoir above Grandad Bridge is barbless hooks only and no
bait allowed except for maggots.
Rivers and streams
Fishing area rivers and streams can be very tough
this time of year with fluctuating water flows. Some smallmouth bass and
channel catfish have been taken in the Snake River, mostly in the Lewiston area.
Look for this fishery to pick up as the weather warms water temperatures to the
mid 50’s. Curly tailed grubs fished in 10 to 12 feet of water near rocky
structure are the mainstay for smallmouths.
Catfish in the 4-8-pound range are commonly caught
on bait such as nightcrawlers, stink-bait and power-bait.
Fishing for sturgeon will also pick up as the water
warms and spring flows muddy the water. Sturgeon anglers should practice
low-impact tech-niques that include pinching hook barbs down, using circle-hooks
instead of J-hooks and never remove sturgeon from the water. All sturgeon caught
in Idaho must be released immediately.
Please check the regulations before going fish-ing
and contact the Clearwater Region at
Hook a kid on fishing
Interested in helping others discover the joys of fishing? Bring your family and
friends to an Idaho Fish and Game’s Take Me Fishing Trailer event. It’s free and
open to everyone.
Equipment, bait and instruction provided.
Participants do not need a fishing license during the event. Just show up and
have some fun. These events are located in easy to reach areas, have good access
to the water and restroom facilities.
×
Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m. to
×
Sunday, April 15, 9 a.m. to
×
Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m. to
×
Saturday, April 28, 9 a.m. to
×
Sunday, April 29, 9 a.m. to
Upcoming Salmon Season
Salmon fishing season is just around the corner
with the season to begin April 22 in the Clearwater, Snake, Salmon, and Little
Salmon rivers.
Remember to review a copy of the Chinook Salmon
Seasons and Rules brochure before casting a line.
A major goal of Idaho fishery managers is to maximize
salmon fishing opportunity. However, a variety of biological and regulatory
factors make managing seasons a complicated process. To be responsive to
the changing fishery, the Department may implement inseason changes to the
seasons and limits. Because of this, salmon anglers are encouraged to stay
informed of season changes and be flexible in their fishing plans.
For updated information, consult a license vendor, an IDFG
office, the Salmon Fishing hotline:
This report is compiled from regional Fish and Game
fishery managers, local tackle shops and anglersand was updated April 10.