Island Park/Henry's help

[JusJoshinYa]

In early August we will be taking a family vacation and staying at a cabin near Island Park reservoir. I plan on pulling my boat over for the trip. I haven’t fished any of the waters on that side of the state before. I am looking to spend some time on Henrys Lake. I will only be about a quarter-mile from Island Park, so I figured I might give that a shot too.

There’ll be about 10 kids, all under the age of 13, on this trip. My main focus will be putting them on the fish. I would appreciate any info that might help me accomplish this. Obviously catching some quality fish would be nice, but they will be happy with anything.

I have already done a little research, and found that Henry’s might be choked with weeds by then. Is this likely to be the case in early August?

I typically fish for warmwater species, casting lures. I don’t ever go trolling. I am willing to adapt though. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. PM’s are welcome.

Thanks,
Josh
[signature]

[jaklakmak]

Yes it will be weeded up pretty good by then but bait fishing with a marshmallow or corkie works well that time of year. Just make sure you have something to make the worm float off the bottom and you will catch fish. Middle of the lake tends to better that time of year as well where the fish have migrated to deeper water where it is cooler.
[signature]

[ironrod]

as stated- if fishing Henrys the middle or the cliff area on the south end with bait may be your best chance that time of year.
As for island park res- you'll need to find the large springs on the nw arm of the lake- same bait as recommended.
if you don't have to take the boat- the buffalo river has some good areas for small brookies and also the north form near max inn is usually planted with a few rainbows.
[signature]

[JusJoshinYa]

I really appreciate the suggestions. I was recently introduced to the slip bobber rig. Would this be a good technique for bait fishing, to keep the kids out of the weeds there? Trying to imagine the situation, is it a solid mat on top? Or does it just grow up within a few feet of the surface?

Another question, I have a 20 foot pontoon boat that can easily fish five or six people at once. However with this many kids and adults I am looking for bank access as well. Between Island Park and Henry's, which would be the better option?

Thanks,
Josh
[signature]

[Mrxshun]

Fishing Henrys with bait is different. Slip bobber if its windy and you cant anchor without drifting. Otherwise fish off the cliffs with a worm and marshmallow a few feet off the bottom. It's weedy but thats all ya got, the fish are in there. You wont know you got one till you reel in every ten fifteen minutes and you will think your stuck in the weeds as they eat it and stay put. Use 10+lb line as you have to pull em out of the weeds. I caught a 5.5 and 10 lb hybrid the last 2 times I've been there. Thats how you get the big fish ay Henrys.
[signature]