Idaho Examiner: McTucker Ponds & American Falls"Common Sense News"

Fire Information

« Back to Outdoors Homepage

Outdoors

McTucker Ponds & American Falls

Posted on: May 17, 2007

By Dave Langston

Warm temperatures have moved into S.E. Idaho and spiney rays are on the take in many small waters. Local anglers are starting to pound the banks with soft plastics and crankbaits looking for some fast action.

Shawn Sayer of Pocatello reports largemouth activity north of American Falls at McTucker ponds management area. “Fish are staging in the pre spawn mode at this point. We’ve seen a few fish over 12 inches and one that may have went three pounds,” says Sayer.

Largemouth have been in these ponds for many years but with floods in the past and a family fishing regulation, bass have never really grew to large proportions. Occasionally anglers have been able to pull a four or five pound bucket mouth from one of the many ponds. But don’t expect that this year.

Bass in the 7 – 12 inch range are more common, lots of them. “We saw hundreds of small scrappy bass last week that were eager to take a spinner or worm,” adds Sayer. He also says fish are in close near the bank in small back coves and arms of the ponds.

Sayer says a few of the ponds are already filling up with vegetation and making it tough for the angler that is unprepared to fish this kind of habitat. Top water is tough unless you go weedless.

Dick Scully of Idaho Fish and Game 208-232-4703 says that largemouth bass, channel cats, bluegills, trout and sunfish are all present in the ponds and should provide good fishing waters for the family.

Anglers have been reporting largemouth bass upwards of nine pounds taken from American Falls reservoir. But, don’t expect to land one of these behemoths. After talking to Idaho Fish and Game officers, they suspect fish may have been washed out of McTucker ponds and into the reservoir years ago but do not believe they have spawned successfully. “There may be a few large ones in the reservoir and back waters but don’t come here expecting to hang into one,” says an I.F.&G. biologist.

Your Comments

Commenting is closed for this article.

About Dave Langston

Outdoor writer Dave Langston resides in Chubbuck. He grew up in the Midwest and south fishing and hunting across the country.

... more About Dave Langston >>

Video Interviews

Challenge of the winter steelhead and fishing -March 07, 08

Hunting Ducks in Mexico Part 1 of 3 -March 03, 08

Visiting the Crow’s Nest Ranch -December 07, 07
The Western States Sportsman crew recently paid a visit to the Crow’s Nest Ranch near Mackay, ID to hunt pheasant and chukar. We had a great hunt there hunting the wild chukar that roost on the mountain above the ranch as well as the pheasant that the operators of the ranch raise for hunting.

Juniper Mountian Ranch -November 30, 07
This is a special episode of the Western States Sportsman. Come with us as we venture to Juniper Mountain Ranch in Idaho and test out products new for 2007 and 2008.

Wild West Designs - One of a Kind Craftsman -November 24, 07
With thousands of elk, deer and exotic antlers, Wild West Designs makes some of the finest western home furnishings on the market.

Kirt Martin's Cooking on the Wild Side - Big Game Chili -November 07, 07
This prize winner is equally good with hamburger if you don’t have any game available.

Kirt Martin's Cooking on the Wild Side - Big Game Breakfast Sausage -November 05, 07
This sausage has a wonderful flavor to complement any breakfast — try it in a breakfast sandwich . . . we did and it was great!

Kirt Martin's Cooking on the Wild Side - Big Game Jerky -November 02, 07
Chef Kirt gives some tips on how to keep your jerky fresh once your done smoking it.

100 Years of Fisheries Displays Idaho's Fishing Heritage -October 31, 07
The Exhibit at the Idaho Museum of Natural History will be on display for the next year. It’s a great opportunity to experience our heritage which has actually expanded to today’s practices.