Virtual GO (Get Outdoors) Fishing event

1. Stop Fishing,
Start Catching
With Jordan Rodriguez
Fishing columnist for the Idaho Statesman
Fishing with Kids

2. Top Three Species

3. Bluegill
• Aggressive panfish usually found
in large numbers — find one, and
you are likely to find more.
• Will readily eat live worms,
crickets, mealworms, small
panfish jigs and dry flies.
• Plentiful in many local ponds and
lakes. The smaller pond and
Kleiner Park is full of small ones!
• Great fighters!

4. Largemouth Bass
• Aggressive predators caught on a
wide variety of lures and baits.
• Most active in warm water temps.
Bass fishing in Idaho is usually
best May through September.
• Plentiful in many local waters,
including ponds, Lake Lowell,
C.J. Strike and the Snake River.

5. Rainbow Trout
• The most commonly stocked fish
in Idaho waters. Most stocking
occurs in spring and fall.
• Will readily eat live bait, spinners,
spoons, flies and crankbaits.
• Active year-round, including
through the ice during winter.
• Perfect for a fish fry!

6. Top Three Lures

7. Bobber Rig • A great way for kids to visually
keep track of the action.
• Bobbers work with any kind of
bait (i.e. worms) and small jigs.
• Wait until the bobber sinks
before setting the hook.
• Experiment with different
depths. If fish aren’t biting,
try bait fishing on the
bottom instead.

8. Plastic Worm • An awesome bass lure
that occasionally
catches other species.
• Can be rigged
weedless, which is
great for kids because it
avoids snags and is also
safer to fish with, as
there are no exposed
hooks.

9. Spinners • An easy-to-use, cast-and-
retrieve lure that helps keep
kids busy.
• Great for trout, but also
effective on bass, crappie and
other species.
• Fish generally hook themselves
when they bite a spinner.
• Be careful of those
treble hooks!

10. Top Three Locations

11. Kleiner Pond
• The smaller pond is absolutely
loaded with small bluegill—just
make sure to bring a very small hook
and use just a tiny chunk of bait.
• The bigger pond is stocked with
rainbow trout, including some large
adults. Use a worm and Power Bait.
• Both ponds have bass, which
will eat worms and plastics.

12. Snake River
• The Snake downstream of Swan Falls
dam is loaded with bass and catfish.
There are panfish and trout, too.
• Many lures and baits will catch
mid-sized bass all summer long.
• Flows usually slow post-July. That
makes for good fishing and safer
river conditions. Kids should
always wear a life jacket!

13. Hagerman Hatchery
• A great place to explore and catch all kinds
of fish, especially trout.
• Bait, spinners, crankbaits—many kinds of
lures will work in these ponds and creeks.
• Most waters are open March through
October. Check the rules before you go.
• This is the best place to catch “banana”
trout. There is also a viewing area
with sturgeon, trout and muskie.

14. Three Bonus Tips

15. Keep it Safe!
• Young kids should always wear life jackets
around the water. Keep your eyes on them!
• Always be aware of your surroundings to
avoid someone getting hooked.
• Wear sunscreen and bug repellent.
• Keep an eye out for hazards including
other boaters and motorists, poison
ivy, snakes and other wildlife.

16. Keep it Fun!
• Focus on areas with higher catch rates,
prioritizing numbers & action over size.
• Teach kids what they are catching and
how to do it themselves. They will stay
more engaged and learn something new!
• Have a backup plan in case fishing
is slow. A nature walk or hatchery
tour is always a hit.

17. Bring Snacks!
• Make each fishing trip an adventure
filled with positive things. A picnic
full of favorite goodies is a must!
• Reward good trips with a stop for
pizza or ice cream on the way home.
• Keep trips relatively short and
easy at first. Make it an activity
kids want to come back to.

18. Fishing classes and more!
tightlines208.com
tightlinesboise@gmail.com
@tight_lines208