Idaho Fish Report

Spring fishing at Steinaker Reservoir can be fantastic as the ice melts and the lake opens up. Typically, ice comes off the lake in mid-to-late March, or April if it's a cold spring. Both shore and boat anglers can be successful as trout are actively cruising the shorelines and surface. If you are shore fishing, use typical setups with a small hook and PowerBait, worms with marshmallows or other scented baits. Try to rig these so the bait is just off the bottom of the lake. If fishing from a boat, casting jigs toward shore — targeting points and the inlet — works well. If you're trolling, use small crank baits, spinners or spoons. Fly fishing at Steinaker is a challenging yet fun way to catch feisty rainbows! Use a sinking line with olive, black or brown colored woollys. If you see fish surfacing, try to match the hatch and get them to eat your fly. As the spring temperatures warm up, largemouth bass begin to move into shallow waters to make nests and spawn. Bass typically spawn in mid-May at Steinaker and bluegill spawn from late May into July. Lake levels reach their peak by early June, and irrigation water draw downs are in full motion by July. The lake has one main boat ramp for larger boats to access; you must enter the state park to use this ramp. Shore fishing is available all along Highway 191 on the east side of the reservoir. You can use the southeast parking area to walk down and access the dam if you want to target that area for all species.