I was able to make it out to a couple of reservoirs in SE Idaho a few times over the past two weeks. I have to say, fishing has definitely been slower than this time last year. There is so much more water, and the clarity level is still very high. Still, I managed to scrounge up some bass[inline "bass 3 small.JPG"][inline "bass 2 small.JPG"][inline "bass small.JPG"][inline "crank bass small.JPG"][inline "drop bass 2 small.JPG"][inline "drop bass small.JPG"][inline "drop bass 5.JPG"][inline "drop bass 4.JPG"][inline "drop bass 3.JPG"][inline "scrounger bass small.JPG"][inline "bomber bass 2.JPG"][inline "bomber bass.JPG"] with a couple of bonus surprises.[inline "giant perch small.JPG"][inline "fat bow small.JPG"] When the wind would get blowing I could usually get some on cranks, but for the most part it was definitely a finesse thing with dropshot rigs the most productive tactic. Most of the best fish on the dropshot were in 15-20ft of water, though the last day I went I caught some as shallow as 10. It was a lot of fun fighting those fish on light tackle and I'm excited to see what happens as things begin to cool down here before too long.
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Great fish! Catching any of those would be a good fishing day!
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Thanks! I'm anxious to get out again, but I'm stuck working graves all this week. It kind of sucks the life out of you if you're not used to it, and you don't seem to get much done [frown] Next week though, I'm going to hit them hard [
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I like the perch. I will have to make my way down there sometime in the next few weeks.
Windriver
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Thanks, that was my best perch yet. I taped it at 14". Luckily for the perch I had to go to work after that, so it's still swimming free.
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looks like im going back there!!! its one of my faves!!! havnt scene a trout from there in a long time heck since befor they drained it!!!
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The trout was actually at a different reservoir, as were some of the bass. The perch and the larger bass were there though. I don't know if there are any trout left in there as they have a fairly short life span and I don't think they've stocked it since before the draining. One interesting side note is that I caught 3 crappie too. [inline "crappie small.JPG"]
I know you caught some there last year as well, so it seems like there's a decent population. It seems to grow big, healthy fish, so maybe we will have some slabs in a few years.
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We fished it not to long ago and got some mini slabs as well.... That is a nice perch out of their tho...
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yeah i posted a pic of a crappie from last year out there!!! i think some bucket biologist planted them!!! were they all caught in that same area?
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I did catch them off the same weed bed. Last year I caught a couple of smallmouth there as well. I wonder what will pop up next. Walleye?
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yeah the smb have been there for a few years but the crappie are recent!!!
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Well it seems like a pretty nutrient rich reservoir, I wouldn't mind if both species got a decent population going. It's not very good smallie habitat though, so I'm not holding my breath on that one, but it would be fun. I grew up in New England where there were a good ten or more species of fish in most lakes, so you never knew what you'd hook. I miss that.
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I caught a couple of crappie there last year as well, but they were a LOT smaller. Maybe 5 to 6 inches.
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Sounds like they're growing pretty quickly then. I wouldn't mind, they're pretty tasty and their fry can be bass food.
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Gstott,
I guess somehow I missed where you caught your crappie at. Do you mind sharing where you caught it? Thanks for any info.
DeeCee
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I'll send you a pm, I was being vague because I don't want it to get too crowded there. I've had the whole lake to myself most of the times I've been there during the week, and I really enjoyed how quiet and peaceful it was.
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I would like to know too? hehe. But, then again, I might have to watch you fillet them. I've forgotten. The one thing, I remember is you need a shape knife. I love your post! Great pics.
Idaho
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Hey thanks, I'll send you a pm about where I was.
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