Fishing options limited

Fishing options are limited right now at most bodies of water, said Matt Palmer with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service. "The water is so low, access is really limited," he said. "That's the story everywhere. We need some water to help out." Despite the lack of spring runoff at Coeur d'Alene River, fishermen are still fly fishing for trout, he said, most relying on San Juan flies.

Fishing options are limited right now at most bodies of water, said Matt Palmer with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

"The water is so low, access is really limited," he said. "That's the story everywhere. We need some water to help out."

Despite the lack of spring runoff at Coeur d'Alene River, fishermen are still fly fishing for trout, he said, most relying on San Juan flies.

Pike fishing is also still going on at the bays in Lake Coeur d'Alene, he added, suggesting baiting with smelt.

Lake Fernan is still popular, too, Palmer said.

Perch, crappies and trout be caught with screw grubs under a bobber, he said.

"They're getting those off the shore," he said.

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Bass are starting to hit, it's the spring season.

That means the fishing is only going to get better from here until the fall, said Josh Kinghorn of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

The fish are mostly males, but when spawning season starts in a month, area lakes will be full of active fish.

Right now at Hayden and Hauser lakes, large mouth are already starting to chase jerk baits or cinco and plastic worms or spinner baits.

"Make sure to do a really slow retrieve," Kinghorn said. "They're real slow and not moving too much."

It will change in a month or so, when anglers should use more plastic lizards, worms and craw dads, but in the meantime the fish are also going after Bomber crank baits.

Pikes are also especially active at Wolf Lodge Bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene chasing smelt and slip bobbers.

•••

The pre-runoff fishing season looks promising as early spring days prove productive for North Idaho anglers.

"Things seem to be a month ahead because of the lack of snow," said Pat Way of Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene.

Good fishing continues to be found on the lower sections of the Coeur d'Alene River.

"We're finally seeing some insects, several species of stoneflies," Way said.

The best dry fly fishing opportunities are from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m., he said.

Conditions on the St. Joe are about the same.

Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers

The lower Coeur d'Alene River continues to provide anglers with the chance for some good hook-ups with cutthroat, said Mark Roush of ROW Adventures in Coeur d'Alene.

Drifting or slow stripping wooly buggers through the deeper holes and runs usually produces decent results. Be sure to bring along some Golden Stones, as the heavy hatches will begin much earlier this year, Roush said.

"The water on the St. Joe is quite low right now on the stretch below Avery," Roush said. "However, there has been a solid bite for fishermen who have access to a raft or drift boat. Buggers, small mayflies, princes and copper johns are the flies of choice."

Area lakes

The bite is on at area lakes, Roush said.

It is still a little early for crappie and bass, but the bite should start in the next couple of weeks.

Trout in Fernan, Hayden, Pend O'Reille and Priest has already begun, and anglers will see a bunch of trollers heading out onto the water in the early morning.

"Most fishermen are pulling rapalas or bottom fishing with worms," Roush said. "Pike are also feeding aggressively. Try slowly pumping Husky Jerks through your favorite water. Many fishermen are also using dead smelt and herring about 3 to 4 feet under a float while targeting pike."