04-04-2007, 04:08 PM
I've caught smallmouths in that part of the river but don't spend a lot of time fishing right below the dam. I also won't claim to be an expert smallmouth fisherman. Fishing can be good below the dam but it is often very crowded. As you probably know the river from Eagle Rock to American Falls Dam is closed until Memorial Day weekend.
You can find decent populations of Smallmouths anywhere downstream of American Falls. As a general rule of thumb you will catch greater numbers of smallmouths between Eagle Rock and American Falls Dam. The average size is generally larger in Lake Walcott, American Falls Reservoir and the river from Lake Walcott to Eagle Rock. There is a section of the Snake between Massacre Rocks and Lake Walcott that you cannot take boats currently. You also can put a boat in at Lake Walcott at certain times of the year. There has been talk about relaxing these boat restriction rules but as far as I know this could only be a rumor.
The flows coming out of American Falls are going to substantially increase any day now. EZOP might be able to give you a heads up on exactly what day the flows will increase. If you are thinking about making a serious smalmouth trip for a couple days I would recommend heading over the Brownlee, Oxbow and Hells Canyon instead. If you just want to try somewhere new that is not to far from home you should have a good time exploring the Snake below American Falls Reservoir.
I've caught the smallmouths from the shore in this part of the Snake but a boat will make it much easier. I would agree with fishingrocket, this isn't a place for someone to take a boat who doesn't have much experience boating on rivers. Shore access can be had in most places but the shoreline can be difficult to navigate. Many places are very steep and there is a lot of brush in some areas. Waders can make it a little easier to get around some areas. Send me a PM and I could give you some access points.
Rocky area is always a great area to find smallmouths. Finding the warmest water is always a great strategy for spring time bass. I would fish with crawfish colors. Here's a picture of a crawfish I caught while fishing the Snake River in that area a few weeks ago.
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You can find decent populations of Smallmouths anywhere downstream of American Falls. As a general rule of thumb you will catch greater numbers of smallmouths between Eagle Rock and American Falls Dam. The average size is generally larger in Lake Walcott, American Falls Reservoir and the river from Lake Walcott to Eagle Rock. There is a section of the Snake between Massacre Rocks and Lake Walcott that you cannot take boats currently. You also can put a boat in at Lake Walcott at certain times of the year. There has been talk about relaxing these boat restriction rules but as far as I know this could only be a rumor.
The flows coming out of American Falls are going to substantially increase any day now. EZOP might be able to give you a heads up on exactly what day the flows will increase. If you are thinking about making a serious smalmouth trip for a couple days I would recommend heading over the Brownlee, Oxbow and Hells Canyon instead. If you just want to try somewhere new that is not to far from home you should have a good time exploring the Snake below American Falls Reservoir.
I've caught the smallmouths from the shore in this part of the Snake but a boat will make it much easier. I would agree with fishingrocket, this isn't a place for someone to take a boat who doesn't have much experience boating on rivers. Shore access can be had in most places but the shoreline can be difficult to navigate. Many places are very steep and there is a lot of brush in some areas. Waders can make it a little easier to get around some areas. Send me a PM and I could give you some access points.
Rocky area is always a great area to find smallmouths. Finding the warmest water is always a great strategy for spring time bass. I would fish with crawfish colors. Here's a picture of a crawfish I caught while fishing the Snake River in that area a few weeks ago.
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