Fish Tips May 27, 2010

Smallmouth bass beginning to bite

Smallmouth bass are starting to bite on Hayden Lake and Lake Coeur d'Alene, said Dan Pierce of Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

They're biting on crank baits or grubs, he said.

Trout are also biting on Fernan Lake, Pierce said, and usually on marshmallows and nightcrawlers or spinnerbaits.

"(Fishermen) are trolling for them out there, too," he added.

Recreators should use wedding rings tipped with corn or maggots on the south end of Lake Coeur d'Alene, where bluebacks are starting to bite.

Otherwise, pike are being snagged on all local lakes, Pierce said.

"They're starting to bite good using plugs and spinnerbaits," he said.

St. Joe, Coeur d'Alene rivers

The St. Joe and Coeur d'Alene rivers have both dropped significantly, making fishing solid on both, said Mark Roush of ROW Adventures in Coeur d'Alene.

But the really heavy dry fly action has yet to establish itself as a daily mainstay, he said.

"Many fishermen have been sticking to nymphing during the last week or so," Roush said. "Prince nymphs, copper johns and the occasional San Juan have been productive."

Some anglers prefer to use buggers, leeches and dark sculpin patterns to trigger a strike. There are still hatches that come off during the day, so be sure to have some small mayfly patterns, blue wing olives and stone flies.

The fishing should only get better, and the surface activity should be outstanding soon, Roush said.

Area lakes

The largemouth bite has picked up significantly on Hauser, Fernan and Hayden lakes, Roush said.

"Plastics that are retrieved in a very slow, methodical pattern will usually find a few fish," he said. "Yamamoto grubs and Senko worms are both very popular choices for many anglers."

Pike activity is still solid on many area lakes, Roush said. Husky jerks, spoons and the occasional buzz bait are a few good lures.

Small mouth fishing is picking up a bit, but it has not been productive enough to have many anglers anxious to target them, Roush said.

Crappie and blue gill are still eating heavily on many of the region's smaller lakes. Small jigs and spinners should catch a few, but it is hard to beat a nightcrawler under a rocket bobber, Roush said.