07-21-2019, 08:26 PM
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.
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.