C. J. Strike Reservoir Fishing
A 6,760-acre Idaho reservoir in Elmore and Owyhee counties.
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C. J. Strike Reservoir by the numbers
C. J. Strike Reservoir covers 6,760 acres of Elmore and Owyhee counties, according to IDFG. USGS outline data place it at roughly 2,455 feet. IDFG lists it with the IDFG Southwest Region (Nampa subregion). The run into Mountain Home AFB is close to 6 miles. The Planner describes it this way: Flows into the Snake River. It carries the Planner’s Recommended Fishing Water mark.
The access layers record 2 launch sites here. It carries 2 special rule lines of its own. Since 1968, IDFG lists 223 stocking records. The Planner lists a boat ramp, dock, toilet, campground and accessible facilities on site.
Surface acres as listed in the IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (water page), read November 7, 2026. Elevation from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset and GNIS for the matched lake outline, read November 7, 2026. Census 2020 places.
Fish the Planner names for C. J. Strike Reservoir
For C. J. Strike Reservoir, IDFG sources name the species below.
Fish IDFG surveys turned up in C. J. Strike Reservoir
- Largemouth Basssurvey 2026
- Smallmouth Basssurvey 2026
- Black Crappiesurvey 2022
- Bluegillsurvey 2022
- Bridgelip Suckersurvey 2022
- Brown Bullheadsurvey 2022
- Channel Catfishsurvey 2022
- Chiselmouth Chubsurvey 2022
- Common Carpsurvey 2022
- Goldfishsurvey 2022
- Largescale Suckersurvey 2022
- Minnowsurvey 2022
- Northern Pikeminnowsurvey 2022
- Peamouth Chubsurvey 2022
- Pumpkinseedsurvey 2022
- Rainbow Troutsurvey 2022
Survey rows report presence in a sampling year, not abundance.
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner water page, read November 7, 2026.
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- Bruneau Arm Narrows boat ramp on C. J. Strike Reservoirramp, dock, restroom, camping
- Crane Falls boat ramp on C. J. Strike Reservoirboating access, ramp, dock, restroom, camping
More launches around C. J. Strike Reservoir
- Cove Arm boat rampCove Arm Reservoir, 2 miles west
The Planner lists no motor restriction here.
IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites layer, BLM Idaho recreation site points and USDA Forest Service recreation opportunities (EDW), read November 7, 2026.
Elevation readings for C. J. Strike Reservoir
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Cj Strike Res Nr Grand View Id | 54.82 ft gage height | Nov 9 7:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 9, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Each reading for C. J. Strike Reservoir names its agency and time.
IDFG releases at C. J. Strike Reservoir since 2024
Stocking at C. J. Strike Reservoir spans 1968 to 2026 across 223 rows.
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 4,600 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), March 10, 2026
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 45,610 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), March 9, 2026
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 52,385 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), October 14, 2025
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 15,390 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), March 13, 2025
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 8,384 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), March 13, 2025
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 50,237 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), March 11, 2025
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 8,802 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), December 20, 2024
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 52,341 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), October 15, 2024
Stocking rows as printed on the IDFG Fishing Planner page (date, species, number and size as listed), read November 7, 2026.
Bag limits for C. J. Strike Reservoir
| Group | Region rule as printed |
|---|---|
| Bass | Bass limit is 6, both species combined; None under 12 inches |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout limit is 25; Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for Brook Trout |
| Bull Trout | Bull Trout – catch-and-release |
| Kokanee | Kokanee limit is 6 |
| Salmon | Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits are set by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and issued in separate brochures; Seasons and limits for fall Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon can be found here; Sockeye Salmon fishing is illegal. Defined as ocean-run Oncorhynchus nerka longer than 14 inches in the Snake River drainage below Hells Canyon Dam, the Salmon River drainage (excluding above Mosquito Flat Dam) |
| Steelhead | Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches in the Salmon River drainage (excluding lakes and reservoirs). Between Hells Canyon Dam and Oxbow Dam and the Boise River from its mouth upstream to Barber Dam during steelhead seasons, steelhead are Rainbow Trout over 20 inches with the adipose fin clipped (as evidenced by a healed scar); Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically open |
| Sturgeon | Sturgeon – catch-and-release; Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing; Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device are required. See fishing regulations for details |
| Tiger Muskie | Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches |
| Trout | Trout limit is 6, all species combined; Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are counted in the trout bag limit; Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately |
| Walleye | No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.) |
| Whitefish | Whitefish limit is 25; Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for whitefish |
| Protected Nongame Fish | May not be harvested or possessed |
| All Other Fish Species | No bag, length, or possession limits |
Read the IDFG Southwest Region rows first, then the exceptions IDFG prints for C. J. Strike Reservoir.
Exceptions written for C. J. Strike Reservoir
IDFG prints these under the heading "CJ Strike Reservoir (includes Bruneau Arm, and CJ Strike Dam to Loveridge Bridge at HW51)".
| Rule as printed |
|---|
| Bass limit is 6, no minimum length, only 1 over 16 inches |
| Sturgeon closure in effect |
Special rules printed for CJ Strike Reservoir (includes Bruneau Arm, and CJ Strike Dam to Loveridge Bridge at HW51) on its IDFG Fishing Planner page (Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules, 2025-2027), read November 7, 2026.
Fishing here takes an Idaho fishing license; Idaho Code 36-416 sets the annual statutory fee at $28.75 for residents and $106.25 for nonresidents, and steelhead or salmon fishing takes its own permit.
Region bag limits from Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules, 2025-2027 for the Southwest Region, as printed on IDFG Fishing Planner water pages (the brochure PDF on idfg.idaho.gov was unreachable during site maintenance), read November 7, 2026.
Fishing license fees as set in Idaho Code 36-416 (statute; IDFG sale prices add vendor and processing fees), read November 7, 2026.
Stacking C. J. Strike Reservoir against nearby reservoirs
The biggest neighbour here is Dunes Lake, 99 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Region | Recommended fish | Launch sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C. J. Strike Reservoir | 6,760 | Southwest Region | 9 | 2 | |
| Crane Falls Lake | 2 miles west | 89 | Southwest Region | 3 | 0 |
| Cove Arm Reservoir | 3 miles west | 76 | Southwest Region | 8 | 1 |
| Bruneau Duck Pond South | 6 miles southeast | 54 | Magic Valley Region | 0 | 0 |
| Dunes Lake | 8 miles southeast | 99 | Magic Valley Region | 3 | 0 |
| Bruneau Dunes Pond North | 8 miles southeast | 35 | Magic Valley Region | 0 | 0 |
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner and the agency access layers, read November 7, 2026.
In the C. J. Strike Reservoir neighbourhood
Still water for a second day beyond C. J. Strike Reservoir
- Crane Falls Lake2 miles west
- Cove Arm Reservoir3 miles west
- Bruneau Duck Pond South6 miles southeast
- Dunes Lake8 miles southeast
- Bruneau Dunes Pond North8 miles southeast
Where to grab leaders, hooks and bait for C. J. Strike Reservoir
- High Desert Anglersbait and tackle shop, Mountain Home, 13 miles
- Jump Creek Fliesbait and tackle shop, Homedale
Idaho communities handy to C. J. Strike Reservoir
- Mountain Home AFB6 miles
- Mountain Home12 miles
- Glenns Ferry26 miles
Counties that share C. J. Strike Reservoir
- Elmore Countyseat: Mountain Home
- Owyhee Countyseat: Murphy
What Piscifun sells that fits a trip to C. J. Strike Reservoir
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Gem State fish to know on sight at C. J. Strike Reservoir
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Thenextvoice, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Public domain
Photo: Mike Cline, Public domain
C. J. Strike Reservoir: what Gem State anglers keep asking
Which Idaho county is C. J. Strike Reservoir in?
Its Planner point lies in Elmore and Owyhee counties, about 6 miles from Mountain Home AFB.
How big is C. J. Strike Reservoir by the IDFG figure?
The Planner says 6,760 acres, at about 2,455 feet.
How many launch sites reach C. J. Strike Reservoir?
2 launch sites listed; start with Bruneau Arm Narrows boat ramp on C. J. Strike Reservoir.
Does C. J. Strike Reservoir hold trout?
On the recommended list: bluegill / pumpkinseed / sunfish, bullhead catfish, white sturgeon, largemouth bass, yellow perch, mountain whitefish and smallmouth bass.
Which brochure lines govern C. J. Strike Reservoir?
Under the IDFG Southwest Region block: Trout limit is 6, all species combined; Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are counted in the trout bag limit; Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately. A special rule changes part of that here.
What does a nonresident need at C. J. Strike Reservoir?
Fishing here takes an Idaho fishing license; Idaho Code 36-416 sets the annual statutory fee at $28.75 for residents and $106.25 for nonresidents, and steelhead or salmon fishing takes its own permit.
Is C. J. Strike Reservoir stocked?
Latest row: Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 4,600 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), March 10, 2026.
Where would I pick up nightcrawlers on the road to C. J. Strike Reservoir?
High Desert Anglers is the nearest stop we list, about 13 miles away.
Which agency posts the surface level of C. J. Strike Reservoir?
Check the level band; the source is USGS.
Pencil C. J. Strike Reservoir into this year's Idaho plans
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