Weather ideal for anglers

The weather is holding up and water temperatures are warmer than normal for this time of year.

The nice conditions have been ideal for anglers looking to catch bass and pike in the early fall, said Josh Kinghorn of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

"The weather's been holding so it's been good, especially for pike," he said. "Pike fishing has been excellent."

The best spot for pike is Lake Coeur d'Alene, especially in the bays like Cougar Gulch or Kidd Island. Using any type of spinnerbaits or rooster tails is your best bet, as is looking for largemouth bass in the Chain Lakes.

Those bass are chasing plastic lures like Senko worms or lizards, or any type of crawdad pattern.

Hayden Lake, which is holding at 61 degrees, is a pretty good place to fish for smallmouth bass, too. Use drop shot minnows, grubbs and tube jigs to land them, Kinghorn said.

St. Joe and Coeur d'Alene rivers

Our northern rivers are continuing to fish well, said Mark Roush of ROW Adventures in Coeur d'Alene.

"September and October on the Coeur d'Alene and Joe can be the most productive time of year if anglers use the right flies and presentations," Roush said.

Blue-winged olives are still getting solid looks from fish on both rivers. October caddis in a variety of sizes will also work well throughout the day.

Some big fish have been pulled from the lower river using streamers and nymphs, Roush said.

"Fishermen have started to see some spruce moths recently, so be sure to have some of these packed in your fly box," Roush said.

Fall is a great season for solitude, said Pat Way of Orvis Northwest Outfitters. Now that recreational floaters are done for the season, fishermen can ply the productive waters of the lower Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe.

That's the beauty of the fall," Way said. "Not only is the fishing tremendous, you usually have the place to yourself."

Trout are hitting small mayflies and mahogany duns, he added. Size 8 orange caddis imitations - which look like the big October caddis now appearing - are also working well.

Down south, steelhead season is already under way.

"Most guys are swinging traditional steelhead flies in the lower Clearwater River with some success," Way said.

The fish are snapping at signal lights, green bud skunks and green lanterns - anything that will trigger an aggressive, territorial strike, Way said.

"There are some fish in the system," he said. "And it should do nothing but improve from here on out."

Fall fishing

There is plenty to keep fishermen busy these days, said Dale Odenbaugh with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

"October is a great month for fish," Odenbaugh said. "The fish get a little bit more active."

Trout are still doing well on Fernan Lake, he said, as well as other small lakes.

"Littler lakes with cooler temperatures have more active fish and are worth going to," he said. "The fish are in the 12-inch to 14-inch range. They've had the summer to swim around and eat."

He suggested nightcrawlers, marshmallows and PowerBait for trout fishing.

Folks are starting to fish for walleye at Two Rivers, he said.

Most are trolling, he said, while others are starting to jib with fuzzy grubb and nightcrawlers.

Kokanee and blueback are still biting heavy all over Lake Coeur d'Alene, Odenbaugh said.

Most are found at 12 to 50 foot depths, he said. He advised trolling with about an ounce of weight and a wedding ring for both fish.

Chinook are going strong on Lake Coeur d'Alene, too, he added, from 70 to 105 foot depths.

"They're just kind of all over down there," he said. "If you're fishing for salmon, just keep trying. Adjust your depths."

Fly fishing is still good at the St. Joe and the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River, he said.

Many are also catching pike on Twin Lakes, Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Chain Lakes, he added.

"A lot of them are dead baiting, using smelt or herring," he said. "Spoons and spinnerbaits are also doing quite well."

Area lakes

The smallmouth bass bite is holding relatively steady on Hayden Lake and the southern end of Lake Coeur d'Alene, Roush said.

"This recent warm spell should have the fish moving a bit more in most lakes," he said.

Trout are still hungry on Fernan, and fishermen should be able to coax a few crappie out of certain holding areas on Hayden and the Chain Lakes, Roush said.