Summer fishing still going strong

Summer fishing still has plenty to offer, said Dan Pierce with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

Chinook salmon is still doing well on Lake Coeur d'Alene, Pierce said.

He suggested using flashers and hoochies.

Kokanee are also abundant on the lake right now, he added.

Running 6- to 8-inches long, they're being snagged by spinners with wedding rings, he said.

Crappie and bluegill are biting in the chain lakes, Pierce said.

For both, he suggested a plain hook and nightcrawler.

Catfish are becoming a big draw at Fernan Lake, he said.

The biggest catch he has heard of this summer was a 10-pounder.

"A lot of guys are using Magic catfish bait," he said. "You can go up to the bank and catch 'em, just cast out as far as you can."

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Pike and bass fishing is in its prime, and both fish can be pulled from Lake Coeur d'Alene throughout the fall, said Josh Kinghorn, of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

Pike can be caught throwing lures, rooster tails and spinners and any bait with a hair. Baits like Blue Foxes and Mepps' also work well, Kinghorn said, so anglers should toss into bays to land 10- to 20-pound fish. Morning time is the best time to land them, he said.

Meanwhile Lake Coeur d'Alene has its fill of small and large mouth bass, too.

Using tube jigs, such as curly tails with watermelon or green pumpkin colors are the best bet for bass. Toss those loaded lines in the morning or evening hours around docks, bays or into the weeds to land them, Kinghorn said.

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The Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers are fishing well, said Mark Roush of ROW Adventures in Coeur d'Alene.

"Most fish will be looking up for terrestrials throughout most of the day," he said. "Gaudy hopper patterns, ants, san juans, beetles and bee patterns will all trigger strikes throughout the day."

Pale morning dun hatches happen sporadically, so make certain you are prepared, Roush said. Be sure to have plenty of small parachute adams in your fly box.

"These are wonderful go-to flies if you find the bite starting to slow a bit," he said.

Also remember to have a variety of caddis patterns along while you are on the water. Area lakes Bass are still being caught in solid numbers on Hauser, Hayden, the Chain Lakes and the southern end of Coeur d'Alene, Roush said.

"Sometimes fishermen can tempt a strike with a crankbait or spinner, but during this hot time of year most bass will be keying in on plastics like Senko worms and Yamamoto grubs," he said.

Fernan is still producing lots of trout and is always a great family fishery in the heat of the summer.

"Pike are still eating pretty well during certain times of the day," Roush said. "They are usually hooked while using spinner baits, husky jerks and crankbaits."

Fish are still being caught in the Chain Lakes, Coeur d'Alene and Hayden.