Bluebacks, Chinook biting on Lake Cd'A

Bluebacks are still biting well on Lake Coeur d'Alene, says Dale Odenbaugh with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

"They're getting a little close to shore, and getting a little bigger in size," he said, adding that the fish are running about 9 to 12 inches these days.

The fish can be caught best by trolling with wedding rings and maggots.

Chinook salmon are biting on Lake Coeur d'Alene, too, Odenbaugh added.

"It's kind of off and on," he said. "They're down from the 60- to 90-foot range."

Fishermen are catching salmon by pulling herring or using minisquids, he said.

Bass fishing is slowing on that lake, he said, and he advised trying with plastic frogs.

At Fernan Lake, fishermen can catch trout off the docks with PowerBait, Odenbaugh said.

Catfish are biting at Fernan and Hauser lakes, too, he said.

"Dough baits are working really well," he said.

•••

Pike and bass fishing are as good as ever at Hayden Lake and Lake Coeur d'Alene, said Josh Kinghorn, of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

It should keep up, too.

Using spinner baits, Mepps, rooster tails and in any orange and brown color on both lakes should be too tempting for fish to pass up. Minnow patterns, tube jigs, Senko worms and any crawdad pattern are landing pike around 10 feet from shore, Kinghorn said, while bass are around 30 feet out.

Meanwhile, reports from the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River are good, he said.

Trout are chasing sized 12 or 14 stimulators and October caddis.

Black ant patterns and sized 18 pale morning dun patterns should be successful through the month.

St. Joe and Coeur d'Alene rivers

Fall fishing is here and both the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers are fishing very well, said Mark Roush of ROW Adventures in Coeur d'Alene.

"Streamer fishing has been an effective way to coax big fish out of certain holes and runs," Roush said. "Small parachute adams in a variety of patterns have had solid looks from fish throughout the day."

Blue-winged olives is often the most lucrative fly during this time of year, so be sure to have plenty of them in your fly box, Roush said.

Area lakes

Smallmouth fishing is still solid on Hayden, Coeur d'Alene and the Chain Lakes, Roush said.

"Senko worms, Rebel crawfish and red spinnerbaits work well this time of year," he said.

Pike can still be pulled out of the Pend Oreille River and Hayden Lake with some regularity.

Fire tiger Husky Jerks are a popular choice for pike, Roush said.

Fernan is still full of hungry trout so if anglers are looking for a fun, relaxing day on the water, it is an excellent choice, he said.