John Patterson holds a smallmouth bass he caught below American Falls Reservoir. The smallmouth bass spawn has started in Lake Walcott and will extend up the Snake River system as the water warms and stabilizes. Anglers can catch bass on the Snake to Gem Lake and in Ririe Reservoir.

Smallmouth bass fishing is picking up along the Snake River system from Idaho Falls to Lake Walcott.

High, cold water delayed spawning in much of the system. Spawning has started in the lower section and should proceed up the river.

Fishing improved last week as the water stabilized and dropped, but as a general rule, the fishing has been best lowest in the system at Lake Walcott.

Smallmouth as big as 3 pounds are being caught along the eastern shoreline of American Falls Reservoir. Smallmouth have moved into the rocky and sandy bottomed coves. The best fishing areas extend several miles above and below Sportsmen State Park.

Near the dam, the rock face that extends from the spillway toward was good last weekend. Where the willow line and rocks meet is one of the better spots during high waters.

The Willow Bay Marina jetty and southeastern rocky shoreline consistently hold bass. While the action is slower in this section of the reservoir, the fish tend to be bigger.

Below Massacre Rocks State Park several bass clubs hold tournaments. Many anglers from Idaho Falls key in on this area. Stabilizing river flows and warmer water have moved bass into spawning mode.

This stretch of river offers a wide variety of fishing from going up river and fishing vertical rocky slopes to heading down river and working shoreline rock embankments and exploring small bays looking for spawning fish.

Traditional bass boats normally fish the area a mile upstream and downstream of the launch ramp because serious rapids exist farther up river while sand and gravel bars make prop boating hazardous down river. Excellent camping is available at Massacre Rocks State Park.

The river from here down has several no boating zones. One is at the upper end of Lake Walcott near the Cold Water Pass and extending west to protect nesting water birds. The area is open to walk-in fishing but access is extremely limited and roads are primitive. Fishing is good for those willing to walk in.

At Lake Walcott State Park, a boat launch ramp and campground are located on the southeast end of the reservoir. Smallmouth fishing is very good from the campground up to the no-boating zone.