Fishing is coming alive on Lake Cd'A

There are a slew of fish biting in Coeur d'Alene these days.

"It's getting lively now," said Dale Odenbaugh with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

Chinook are being snagged all over the lake, he said, particularly the north end, at Arrow Point and East Point.

He advised using mini-squids like the Mexican Flag squid.

"They're using typical mini-squid colors with matching flashers," Odenbaugh said.

Most are biting at 40- to 55-foot depths, he said.

Kokanee are also chomping in Lake Coeur d'Alene, especially if fishermen are using a flasher unit like a Ford Fender, a Beer Can or a Slim Willie.

"And they've been pulling a wedding ring with a silver blade and an orange body," Odenbaugh added.

Bait those with corn and maggots, he suggested.

Most kokanee have been caught in the Wolf Lodge area, by Beauty Bay and Blue Creek Bay, Odenbaugh said.

Smallmouth bass on Lake Coeur d'Alene have been biting well, too, he said.

They tend to be caught right along the shoreline with twin-tailed grubs and tube jigs, he said.

The smaller lakes, like Fernan Lake, are seeing action, too.

Catfish have been snagged with nightcrawlers or a dough bait.

Kids will get a kick out of casting for bluegill, he added, because all that's needed is a small jig.

"Kids have a ball," he said. "Those little fish bite and those kids love catching them."

Trout are also biting on PowerBait and nightcrawlers at Fernan.

"There are days it's really good, and days it's slow," he said of the trout fishing. "Catfish and bluegill are the most consistent on that lake."

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With summer in full swing, fishing should hold steady until the weather turns dramatically colder. So the next few months are the perfect time to go after bass, as well as northern pike.

"I'll be honest, there isn't really a bad lake right now," said Blake Becker of Black Sheep Sporting Goods. "Coeur d'Alene has been well, Hayden has been well, everywhere has been good."

Small- and largemouth bass are usually swimming in 5 to 10 feet of water, so throw crank baits, rattle traps, mid- to deep-range drivers or a variety of spinner baits.

Although they're in deeper water, they're active at daybreak, Becker said, so anglers should hit the water around 4:30 a.m. for good results.

Pike, meanwhile, are especially active in Hayden Lake and the Washington side of the Pend Oreille River.

They're swimming in depths between 5 to 15 feet of water, and chasing aggressive baits, such as Knotty Scottys lures, which is a bucktail spinnerbait. They're not picky on colors, with a wide variety doing the trick. Musky Bucktail spinnerbaits, in practically any color, too, are also working.

Think deep for August

Heading into the last part of summer - when water temperatures will get about as warm as they're going to get - anglers should remember that fish like to go deeper to reach colder temperatures, said Steve Holweg of Cabela's.

"Everything is still fishing pretty well," Holweg said of local conditions in general. "We haven't noticed any problems with the water getting too warm. But as the water warms up, the fish go deeper and don't move into the shallow areas until the water starts to cool off early in the morning or from 5 p.m. until dark."

Holweg said he heard that some anglers visited Hauser last Saturday for some night fishing.

"They were fishing for catfish before it got too dark and got a couple nice crappie," Holweg said. "(The fish) started to move in as the water cooled off."

Holweg said he heard the St. Joe River is still running a bit high and fast, but the Coeur d'Alene River is clearing off.

"It's actually wadable," Holweg said. "I went by Enaville the other day and saw a few guys on the river and a couple drift boats, so they're out there fishing."

Holweg said these days, when he goes out, he'll hit the water early before the heat of the day and recreation kicks in.

Holweg said kokanee were between 30 and 45 feet deep on Lake Coeur d'Alene when he went out recently.

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Cutthroats are hitting flies on the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe Rivers, according to Bryan Gregg of Orvis Northwest Outfitters.

"Normally it would be time for hoppers," he said, "but they're probably still a little behind this year."

Fly-casters can't go wrong with prince nymphs or small copper johns. In the evening, caddis patterns and pale morning duns could attract a few trout.

And don't forget streamers, Gregg said. He usually keeps one rod rigged with a streamer at all times. His favorite color patterns are yellow and black and olive and white.

The Coeur d'Alene is crowded on hot days, Gregg said. Recreational floaters are out in force when the sun is shining, so anglers would be wise to fish above Prichard.

On a cloudy or cool day, though, the lower Coeur d'Alene might be a good bet. Look for holding water, where a cutthroat might rest and feed.

Local anglers can escape the crowds on the St. Joe, if they're willing to make the drive.

Right now, Gregg said, the river is still tricky for waders. Don't try to wade across the river, and just poke along the banks.

Cast into soft water, Gregg said.

For anglers with boats, the lower river could be a productive hunting ground.

"That lower Joe, if you're floating, is a good option," Gregg said.