Gifford Springs

[idahopanfish]

It was my first visit to GS. Came from Twin Falls anf took the road on the nth side from the park and around the reservoir. Long, rough road thru the desert. Thought about the ramp on the sth side but was concerned about the distance since we were 2 float tubes and my pontoon.

It was rather breezy off and on all day. We fished the bay right where you go thru the gate with flies and I used jigs and worms.

My buddies caught a bass and a trout the kept. I believe another trout was caught and one snaped the line he thought it was a carp. I only caught a carp but it was at least 20" and gave me a good fight. Caught her on a jig with a worm.

Found out latter we need to find the spring on the nth side. Next trip. Drove back on a desert road to Minidoka, shorter but just as rough and slow going. Looks like the best way to drive in on the nth side is from American Falls.

The people we saw catchin fish were anchored and using worms.
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[BrianID]

Thanks for the report.

From what I understand most of the Gifford Springs bass spread out to other parts of the river during the summer. I also think it gets fished out. It takes a smallmouth much longer to grow to be a 12"+ fish than it does a trout. A bass fishery in Idaho will get fished out if there are a lot of guys taking home bass. Trout can be stocked heavily and don't take as long to grow so they can handle much higher harvest rates than bass. If the proposed restrictions are passed for that area it should at least help a little. I still think closing the bass harvest until July 1st would do the most good.
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