HOME // CONSTRUCTION  // ORDER  // GALLERY // LINKS // ARTICLES

By George J. Roth

History of Brownlee Reservoir

                Nestled between the boundaries of Idaho and Oregon, lies Brownlee reservoir.  It was constructed on the Snake River between 1955 and 1960 by Idaho Power for the purpose of hydroelectric generation.  Brownlee reservoir was named for Mr. Brown and Mr. Lee who operated a ferry across the Snake River in the mid-1800’s.  This body of water has since become a favorite destination for anglers in search for smallmouth bass, as well as other species of warm water fish. 

                Brownlee is a canyon reservoir located in what is classified as high desert.  The reservoir covers 15,000 acres and is 41 miles long.  Its maximum depth is 290 feet with an average depth of 95 feet.  The maximum width is 1.2 miles.  The shores offer a variety of fishing opportunities ranging from gravel flats to vertical rocky bluffs. 

Species of Fish

                The angler hoping for a variety of fishing opportunities won’t be disappointed.  Smallmouth bass is one of the favorite species sought after in this reservoir.  It supports a population of both smallmouth and largemouth bass, with the smallmouth being the dominate species.  They will be found throughout the reservoir.  The largemouth will typically be found in the upper section of the lake and the Powder River arm.

Large numbers of crappie are harvested every year throughout the fishing season.  The most productive time is in the spring and early summer months.  It is not uncommon to find a school populated with 10-13” slabs inhabiting the steep bluffs and points.  Also encountered are bluegill and an occasional pumpkinseed.

Yellow perch can be found in schools, moving along the shorelines or suspended over submerged points and islands.  The most effective bait will be small jigs or live worms.

If whiskered fish are your choice, a healthy population of channel cat, blue cat and flat heads are easily found.  They will often surprise an unsuspecting angler by hitting moving baits such as crankbaits, rattlebaits or soft plastics.  Cut baits and worms will insure plenty of action with these heavy, line stripping fish.

For fishermen with a desire to catch rainbow trout, these fish can be found in the deep, cooler sections of the lake near the dam.  Fishing is best in the winter months by trolling with rooster tails, spoons or Rapala’s.  Bank fishing using worms or Berkley Power Bait can also be productive.

Prepare for the trip

                Brownlee reservoir acts as the dividing line between the states of Idaho and Oregon.  A license from either state will allow you to use the facilities of either state to put in or take out boats, as long as you do not fish from the shore, dock, or a docked boat in the state which you do not hold a license.  The current Idaho limit is 6 bass over 12”.  Before wetting a line, be sure to check the regulations for the state you have a license.

When preparing to fish Brownlee in the early spring or late fall months, bring extra clothing, as dramatic weather changes are not uncommon.  One of the more common factors encountered is wind.  Certain sections of the reservoir have a tendency to have more wind than others, so a move to another section may prove helpful.  In the event it doesn’t, a drift sock or an anchor may salvage an otherwise frustrating day on the water.

                Rainfall is most common in the early spring and late fall months.  Summers are typically dry, but intense thunderstorms can appear suddenly.  Be aware of the weather conditions around you and tune in to a local radio station for a current weather forecast when conditions are questionable.  The lake can get rough when high winds blow, so be safe.

                In the summer, the days are long and hot.  It is advisable to bring plenty of fluids to drink.  Water is best, but sport drinks are fine, too.  It is important to take the time to actually consume the drinks, as they won’t keep you hydrated if they are riding around in the bottle.  If you consider consuming alcoholic beverages while fishing, I’d advise against it for two reasons.  1.) Beer and water (lake) should never be mixed.  Save that for later, when you are sitting around the campfire, recounting your fish stories.  2.)  Beer acts as a diuretic, causing you to urinate more, thus resulting in dehydration.  Again, drink water during the day and celebrate later.

                Sun block is another important item to have in the boat.  I prefer to use Bull Frog as it is water proof and has a SPF of 30 to 45, depending on the product you select.  I’ve personally found the gel to be the easiest and least messy to apply.  If you’ll apply it to the sun exposed areas first thing in the morning, you won’t have to worry about it, even if you decide to go for a swim in the heat of the afternoon.  You’ll avoid painful sunburns and future trips to your dermatologist.

Seasonal Patterns

Spring

                As the water begins to warm in early spring, the fish will move from the deep winter haunts to the channels and ledges that lead to the spawning flats.  You should look for banks with a 45 degree slope and in the back of coves.  A variety of techniques can be used this time of year, depending on the stage of the spawn you wish to target. 

Smallmouth will typically spawn once the water temperature reaches the 55 degree range.  This is a time where suspending jerkbaits such as the Lucky Craft Staysee 90 will work well.  Bass will often respond best to a bait that is retrieved using a jerk and pause motion. You will need to experiment with your presentation as the mood of the fish can change dramatically as the temperatures change.  In clear water, use the natural colors such as Ghost Minnow or Aurora Pro Blue.  In water that is more off colored, Chartreuse Shad or Table Rock Shad are excellent colors. 

  Crankbaits that are retrieved along the bottom, bumping into rocky structure, will often trigger some of the larger bass to strike.  It is best to imitate a crawfish in a natural green, brown or red color.  In discolored water, a brighter color, such as a Citrus Fat Free Shad is a good choice.

Another method to target the fish holding on the spawning flats is a Carolina rigged lizard.  Fish react well to watermelon pepper or green pumpkin baits.  Hula grubs fished on a football head jig can also be productive when using natural colors to imitate a crayfish. 

Don’t forget topwater baits as the water continues to warm.  Some of the most aggressive strikes will come from fishing topwater baits such as the Storm Chug Bug in chrome / black back or firetiger.

Summer

                After the spawn and as the weather continues to warm, the fish will move to the deep water points and ledges.  They will move up shallow in the early morning and evenings to feed, so this is a good time to throw reaction baits.  Crankbaits, rattlebaits and spinnerbaits work well this time of year.  The early morning and late evening hours are also a good time to throw topwater baits.  Hunt for shade among the bluffs to extend the topwater bite. 

                Once the sun hits the water surface, the fish will return to the deeper water.  You will need to move out with the fish and search for structure that they will hold on.  A great presentation is a drop shot when fishing the clear water in the lower portion of the reservoir.  Hand poured baits excel for this application and SnakeBite baits by Brian Quinnett are some of the finest.  My favorite styles are the 4” finesse worm and the 3” leech in green watermelon / pepper, green pumpkin / pepper and black / red flake.  Smallmouth aren’t typically very picky and will often bite anything, but it is a good idea to stick to the natural appearing baits in the clear water areas.  Mike’s baitfish is my favorite when attempting to imitate small crappie fry.  

                Other deep water techniques such as the c-rig with a ¾-1 oz Lindy weight will work well when drug over the structure at depths of 20-50 feet.  A hula grub rigged on a heavy football head jig will also be effective.  Don’t forget about downsizing your rig and split shotting small baits such as a tube or a minnow imitation. 

Fall

This is one of the most productive times of the year as the bass are aggressively feeding in preparation for the winter.  They will be found chasing schools of crappie fry and will regurgitate them as you bring them to the boat.  Reaction baits will work well as the bass will move shallow to feed.  The drop shot, c-rig and hula grubs continue to work well.  Be alert to the fact that the fish may demonstrate a preference to suspended baits over bottom baits in this situation and adjust your method accordingly.

Water Levels

Water levels can vary depending on the time of year and amount of mountain snow pack available as run off.  The amount of variation has decreased significantly in recent years, thanks to the Friends of Brownlee.  This group has worked closely with Idaho Power and other regulatory commissions to maintain a more consistent water level.  This has improved the spawning conditions for bass, crappie and other resident species.  As a result, the fish populations have rebounded from previous years where numbers were less than optimal.

During the winter months, the reservoir is usually near full pool.  In preparation for spring run off and to assist the salmon smolt in their down river migration by increasing flow, the water level is lowered.  The water levels during the summer months will typically remain steady until the demand for energy increases to the point that the water is used to generate electricity.  During this time, algae blooms can be quite profound, especially in the upper portions of the reservoir.  The fall will see the reservoir refilling, once the need for additional energy subsides.

You can obtain current water level information by connecting to the Idaho Power website at http://www.idahopower.com/riversrec/waterlevels/reservoir.asp or you can call their toll free number at 1-800-422-3143.

How to get there

                There are a number of boat ramps available to access Brownlee reservoir.  The main ramp on the Idaho side is Woodhead Park, which is owned and operated by Idaho Power.  It is located two miles above the dam and offers modern camping facilities complete with heated bathrooms and showers.  This campground can be found about 80 miles northwest of Boise, Idaho.  Follow highway 95 to Cambridge, Idaho then turn onto highway 71, which will then wander through the mountain canyons to the dam.  The road continues until it ends at the Hells Canyon gorge.

                If you are approaching Brownlee from the Oregon side of the reservoir, Spring Recreational Facility near Huntington, Oregon is a good place to launch your boat.  There are no camping facilities available.  When the water level is about 26’ below full pool, the main ramp is no longer usable.  There is an old ramp to the side that will allow launching a boat when water conditions are lower.  A huge rock is present between the ramps, so care must be used when driving the boat to or from the ramps, as it is not marked with a buoy.

Contacts

                For information regarding the current conditions at Brownlee Reservoir, contact the following businesses:

Howard’s Tackle / Nampa, Idaho / 208-465-0946 | 208-467-7209

Gateway Lodge / Cambridge, Idaho / 208-257-3531

George’s Custom Rods / Weiser, Idaho / 208-549-0454 / Cell: 208-484-7164