By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist
Just in time for Christmas - no, it's not a present, or even a stocking stuffer, but it may be better than Aunt Jennie's fruitcake. These are places to go fishing during the holidays.
Idaho Fish and Game's regional fish managers have provided some suggestions for winter fishing. These spots may be your favorite fishing holes, places you never heard about, overlooked, or just never got around to trying during winter.
Some spots listed are geared toward ice fishing, but not all. Ice fishing in much of the state was stalled in early December due to warm, wet weather, but ice fishing will hopefully resume when cold temperatures return.
To get more information about each of these places listed below, including maps, go to the Fishing Planner on Idaho Fish and Game's website at
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. Direct link:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingPlanner/.
Andy Dux - Panhandle Region- Several northern Idaho lakes offer good ice fishing for northern pike when ice conditions are favorable. These toothy predators are exciting to fish for and anglers have the chance to hook fish in excess of 20 pounds. What's more, they're excellent eating if properly fileted, and there's no limit on size or daily harvest. Hayden Lake often doesn't freeze over entirely, but the shallower north end of the lake often gets good ice and is easily accessible from the Hayden Lake Sportsman Park. Similarly, Coeur d'Alene Lake only freezes in shallower bays during most winters. The southern end of lake within the boundaries of Heyburn State Park is easily accessible, often gets fishable ice, and is a good location to target northern pike.
- Coeur d'Alene Chain Lakes, a series of lakes located along the lower Coeur d'Alene River, is another area popular among northern pike anglers. There are different techniques that work well to catch northern pike through the ice, but many anglers use tip-ups with bait. Fishing shallow bays or shoreline areas near any remaining vegetation or bottom structure is a good strategy.
- Avondale Lake is a popular ice fishery close to the urban centers of Hayden and Coeur d'Alene. Although the lake has a variety of warmwater fish like perch and bluegill, fishing can be hit or miss, so fish managers are stocking rainbow trout in hopes they will provide a consistent fishing opportunity during winter. Fish and Game biologists will evaluate the trout stocking in the lake through the winter to see if fishing improves. Anglers should remember Avondale Lake is privately owned, and it should be respected. Public parking and access is allowed across from the clubhouse at the Avondale Golf Club.
Joe DuPont - Clearwater Region- Steelhead fishing in the winter is very popular on the Clearwater River and the Snake River. You probably won't be alone, but you won't be dealing with the fall crowds, either.
- The lower Lochsa, Selway, and Clearwater rivers all provide good opportunities to catch whitefish during winter, and also have catch-and-release trout fishing.
Joe Kozfkay - Southwest Region- Boise River through town gets its water from the bottom of Lucky Peak Reservoir, which keeps the river relatively warm and trout and whitefish active. There's also stocked steelhead for a trophy opportunity, and flows are low and friendly for waders.
- Mann Creek Reservoir north of Weiser can be good ice fishing after it freezes over, and it has stocked rainbow trout and wild redbands.
- C.J. Strike Reservoir remains ice free most of the winter and has good trout fishing from the bank or trolling.
- Wilson Springs Ponds near the Southwest Regional office in Nampa are unique because they are spring-fed and provide an urban fishery. The department stocks them with rainbow trout throughout winter.
Doug Megargle - Magic Valley Region- Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir has ice fishing for trout and perch, and there's always a chance to catch one of the reservoir's famed walleye.
- Big Wood River has long been popular during winter for catch-and-release trout fishing. It rarely freezes, and if you fish it on the right day, you can catch trout on dry flies. Bring your midge and baetis patterns.
- Malad River is a small, spring-fed stream is open to catch-and-release fishing during winter from the mouth upstream to Interstate 84 bridge. It cool and clear and is known for its small, feisty and aggressive rainbows.
Dave Teuscher - Southeast Region- Snake River below American Falls Reservoir can be excellent trout fishing especially with a few days of warmer than normal temperatures.
- Bear River below Oneida Reservoir is another option for trout fishing in a dam-controlled stretch of river that is accessible during winter.
- Bear Lake has one of Idaho's most unique fishing opportunities for a whitefish-like species, the cisco. Dubbed the "Cisco Disco", people gather to dipnet cisco from massive schools which arrive in mid-January. You can dipnet cisco while wading or through the ice. You can also catch cutthroat trout and lake trout in the lake.
Dan Garrren - Upper Snake Region- South Fork of the Snake River has year-round trout fishing and there's no limit on rainbow trout. There's also lots of opportunity to catch whitefish during winter.
- Mackay Reservoir typically has ice fishing during winter and a unique opportunity to catch kokanee through the ice. You can combine that with stream fishing below Mackay Dam for a diverse day of fishing.
Greg Schoby- Salmon Region- Williams Lake near Salmon provides and ice fishery for rainbow trout with some trophy fish up to 20 inches.
- Jimmy Smith Lake outside of Challis and up the East Fork Salmon of the Salmon River requires a half-mile hike on an ATV/snowmobile trail. It has high catch rates with lots of rainbows and a 25-fish limit.
- Hayden Ponds 25 miles south of Salmon have spring-fed waters that remain ice free for rainbow trout fishing.
Winter fishing tips- Check conditions before you go. Weather can abruptly change fishing conditions during winter. Be especially cautious with ice fishing spots. Most rivers don't freeze, but they can get slushy, muddy or form shore ice that makes fishing difficult.
- Seek warmer water. Spring-fed rivers and streams often fish well during winter, and same often goes for dam-controlled rivers.
- Learn new techniques. The key to winter fishing is get food in front of a fish's nose. Fish are cold blooded, so they aren't likely to move a lot and chase things in cold water.
- Remember where you find fish. They're likely to be there, or nearby, the next time out. But if you don't catch fish, move around until you find some.
- Invest in specialized fishing gear, whether it's tackle or things to make you more comfortable in cold weather.
- Consistently catching fish during winter is an acquired skill, so stick with it. It may take a few trips to get dialed in. Hope for some initial success and build on it with each outing.
- Bring the spirit of adventure to your winter fishing trips. Things will look and feel different, but the trip will be rewarding if you appreciate those differences. Catching a few fish never hurts, either.
