Salmon catches active on Lake Cd'A

Fishermen have been reeling in some impressive salmon catches from Lake Coeur d'Alene, according to Jeff Smith with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

"On Saturday, a lot of people caught fish," Smith said, referring to chinook salmon. "The biggest one I heard of was around 10 pounds - though several fish were in the 7- to 9-pound range."

Most were caught deep, around 90 to 105 feet, Smith said. The best action is around mid-lake, he noted, by Carlin Bay.

There's been a lot of success using flashers and mini squids, he added, especially black and glow flashers with black and glow mini squids.

"Those have been two we've been using all fall," he said.

Some are still catching rainbow trout at Fernan Lake, Smith said.

Most are bait fishing, he said, using nightcrawlers.

He would also suggest folks venture out to Hayden Lake to fish for trout.

"Usually, you'll get some bigger rainbows," he said. "I haven't heard of that many, but this is generally when they catch 'em."

He suggested using nightcrawlers and marshmallows, or power bait, for shore fishing.

The trout will cruise in shallow areas by the shore, he said. Being light sensitive, they will be most prevalent at early morning or just before evening.

"They'll be a little spooky," he said.

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Mike Beard, of Orvis Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene, just got back from a few days of "steel-heading" on the Snake and the Clearwater rivers.

He said they're finding swinging flies is the most effective way to catch steelhead right now.

"We're not finding big pods of fish yet. They're still pretty spread out," Beard said. "When you're swinging flies, you're covering more water."

Beard says casters want to use sink tips and steelhead patterns.

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By most accounts, bass fishing has slowed to a near halt.

Anglers can still catch largemouth here and there, but they haven't been biting as much as they used to.

"Not to a standstill, by all means, but the water did start dropping down in temperature with it so cold at night," said Blake Becker, of Black Sheep Sporting Goods. "It's fairly slow."

Instead, go after northern pike.

They're especially active right now chasing Knotty Scottie, Bucktail spinners or Strike King Spinnerbaits.

Pike should still be going after lines for another month or so, but will drop off when the water gets colder. To keep busy through the winter, anglers should get over to Lake Roosevelt in Washington, about an hour away from Coeur d'Alene.

Walleye and trout fishing will get heavy this winter. Drag Stingerbaits to land either of those.

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Pike are still hitting on Hayden and Coeur d'Alene lakes in shallow water, said Bud Frasca of North West Classic Tackle in Hayden.

"One of the best places on Hayden is at the north end where Hayden Creek comes in," Frasca said.

Fishing has also been good on Lake Pend Oreille, he said.

"Troll with planer boards or fish with streamers right on the surface," Frasca said.

There's still good fishing on the Coeur d'Alene River with weighted nymphs and indicators.

Frasca said the St. Joe River typically gets colder faster.

"Water in the Joe is probably pushing 40 or below," he said. "That's tough to fish. If you're a young guy, you can wade, but us old guys can't."

In Washington, Rufus Woods below Coulee Dam on the Columbia River has been a popular choice with rainbow trout.

"Wooley Boogers (jigs) with a weighted sinking line is the ticket over there," Frasca said. "Rainbows have been running up to 15 pounds and the average fish is 5 to 6 pounds."