brownlee reservoir fish species

There are both black and white crappie here.Naturally, crappie are popular because they are one of the best-tasting freshwater fish around, particularly if you like flaky white fish in tidy fillets.But of the fish species that bring the most anglers to Brownlee, crappie also can be the most frustrating.Like crappie everywhere, Brownlee’s crappie populations are strongly cyclical. These access points and camping areas are managed by the state or Oregon, the BLM, and by Idaho Power. But if reports instead indicate the reservoir is thick with smallish 5- or 6-inch crappie, it’s time to think about putting Brownlee on your calendar for the following year.Crappie are the easiest to catch in the late spring and early summer, when they move into shallow water to spawn.Idaho Power biologists said they have seen crappie begin spawning as early as late April and definitely in May, but the peak spawning is probably going to happen sometime the second week of June and early July.If you’re flexible, figure most crappie will begin to spawn when the water temperature reaches about 59 degrees, although some may begin a little before that and crappie also can spawn more than once in a season, so this time frame can stretch out a bit more than with bass.When they are preparing to spawn and actually spawning and guarding nests, crappie are much more likely to be found in shallower water in bigger numbers.Earlier in the spring before the crappie stage for spawning, and then again from mid-summer and into fall, you can still catch crappie.

Nests are often observed in 2 to 6 feet of water.For much of the rest of the year you’ll find them in 10 to 20 feet of water, although search around and try different depths. To fish in Idaho any person 14 years of age or older must have a valid fishing license. Simply put, Brownlee Reservoir is one of the best warmwater fishing spots in the entire Pacific Northwest. If it tells you anything (and it should), the Huntington Lions Club plans its annual catfish derby during Memorial Day Weekend.That’s about the time of year the reservoir is freshly filled, and waters have largely flooded the flats that are especially prevalent in the upper reservoir where the Snake River comes in, in the wider Farewell Bend area.The catfish push into the newly flooded waters where they can find all kinds of food, and they’re easy pickings for anglers.I’ve been there in early June and there were anglers literally filling garbage cans with catfish fillets and ice.

While that’s not my habit, we did take a fair number of meals.But honestly, summertime is even more reliable for catfish fishing in a larger area, and you won’t have much trouble getting plenty for your fish fries.In terms of time of day, catfish are much more actively feeding in low-light conditions, including at night. “cut bait”), including crappie or panfish you catch at Brownlee, work very well.I might bring an oilier fish with you, if you can get it.For example, freeze and save the fresh whole herring or sardine fillets you had left over from salmon fishing and use pieces of that. Smallmouth bass populations have been stable for the last 20 years while crappie populations have declined slightly. (I’ve fished those areas but only caught small bass. I’ve switched over to my steelhead rod at times, although I’ve usually just rigged up my heaviest bass rod for a little catfishing.Line in the 10- or 12-pound test range is about right for these catfish, but you could go heavier if you’re aiming for a monster or fishing in weeds because catfish aren’t line shy.These aren’t nearly as prevalent as their smallmouth cousins, but there’s enough that it’s possible the biggest bass you’ll catch at Brownlee will be a largemouth instead of a smallmouth, because the bucket mouths are a somewhat larger species on average.If you are specifically targeting largemouth, look for softer bottom areas, weeds and other softer cover types, which you’ll most likely find at the upper end of creek arms.Use similar lures as you do for smallmouth, although possibly in larger sizes.Crappie might be what you think of when you consider tasty schooling fish at Brownlee, but they’re not the only such fish on the menu here.Yellow perch have also made themselves at home at Brownlee.If you can find a school with good-sized perch, you can fairly quickly get a good pile of fillet-worthy fish.Use smaller hooks or jigs baited with pieces of worm, mealworm, crickets or similar baits, usually fished fairly close to the bottom.These sunfish don’t always get the respect I think they deserve.Bluegill are aggressive biters and hard fighters.

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