Idaho Fishing Trip Advice

[steelhawk]

I will be heading up to a campground in Declo, Idaho for a few days in early August. The Snake River runs right behind it. I've never fished it before, but am looking forward to doing so.

No boat, only bank fishing. Any help from the forum will be appreciated.
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[SkunkedAgain]

I’m not familiar with that section of river but usually a night crawler on a hook and sinker will catch fish on the snake. I also like drifting leech patterns on a fly rod. Also spinners will work. Good luck. J
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[Anglinarcher]

Been a long time since I knew that area, but it is on one of those timeless areas that have not changed much in 30 years, sooooo, I'll take a stab at helping.

You sit between two dams on the Snake, Lower is Milner, upper is Walcott. Once these dams went into place a long time ago, the still slow water slowed to a point that most trout were forced into the springs during the summer. I don't know how many springs there are in those areas, but the Snake River region is full of them, so if local knowledge points you to one this time of year, expect lots of Bows and Browns. Normal methods will work for them.

Walcott was always great place for Large Mouth Bass (LMB) and now that Small Mouth Bass (SMB) are present in large numbers I know that the Declo stretch will be loaded with them. Spinner Baits, jitterbugs on top, size 90 Whopper Ploppers, Rapala Husky Jerks should all work well if you get them near weed beds, logs, or rocks.

Walcott and Milner were always loaded with large Bullhead Catfish. 14 to 18 inch fish are common in the spring and a local irragation diversion dam, Murtaugh, was a common spot and once held the state record. A lot of people call them mud cats and put them down, but they taste awesome in that water. There were no channel cats there when I was a kid, but, by now, I expect that Bucket Biologist might have changed that.

Of course, this area is also full of carp, suckers, etc. They can always provide you with some action.

I never fished Milner, but did duck hunt the area. There should be plenty of LMB and SMB in the Res.

Good luck, and remember that local contacts might be your best resource.

[betterthanwork]

I dont know that area well, but I fished the snake 200 miles up stream in Wyoming this weekend and caught fish almost every cast on a #4 blue and silver bluefox.
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[pardof16]

lake wallcot from the shore, small mouth heaven! throw tube jigs with 1/8th ounce jig head in crawdad color, or soak a night crawler on the bottom
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[Fritzfishin]

we absolutely hammer the bass at the snake river on 3" maniac minnows in the changeable craw color on orange or red or black jig heads, also caught quite a few large perch on them last time, switch to the predator color for more trout, also sinking a worm will get cats, carp, sucker, maybe some bluegill or crappie if your by structure, im heading up Friday through Sunday but ill be hunting sturgeon, while throwing a changeable craw maniac for others
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[steelhawk]

Just thought I'd report back on my Idaho fishing.

The Snake was a bust. Neither I nor my buddy could even get a nibble. Fished it three times, nothing.
Now, the campground had a fishing pond with loads of 20" or more trout. We caught several. It was catch and release, but fun.

Wednesday we took a drive to Lake Cleveland, a beautiful mountain lake. We caught a bunch of 'bows and cutts using Rooster Tails and worms. Brought four back to camp for dinner.

It was a good trip.
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