Bass, pike moving slower, but still active

Bass and pike fishing has exploded.

Both are feeding abundantly, though anglers may need to exercise a little patience landing them, as they're swimming a little slower to baits.

"They're really fattening up for the winter right now. That's good," said Blake Becker, of Black Sheep Sporting Goods. "They're hungry but not aggressive."

Pike in Lake Coeur d'Alene are hitting most everything. They're chasing all types of big Spinnerbaits and deep-driving Crankbaits from 6 feet to 19 feet of water.

Largemouth bass are hitting Strike King 6 XD, deep divers that can get down 17-20 feet deep.

Because the fish are a bit slower, bring in the lines very slowly. And look for green weed patches beneath the surface. The colder temperatures have killed some of the patches, so anglers may have to go deeper to find them.

Smallmouth bass are going well in Hayden, Coeur d'Alene, Fernan and Hauser lakes.

"All major bass waters are good," Becker said.

They're deeper, up to 40 feet deep, so slow down and drop tubes, or finesse worms, while giving them time to sink.

Patience is key, Becker said.

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Time to gear up for ice fishing.

The recent cold and windy weather has meant a bit of a break in fishing on area lakes and streams.

But that doesn't mean anglers have forgotten about fishing. They're just getting ready for ice fishing.

"People could start ice fishing in a few weeks if the cold weather continues," said Duane Sunell of Cabela's. "You can see a thin layer on some of the small lakes."

Sunell said fishermen have been buying tip-ups, jigs and augers to prepare for the winter sport.

"We probably have about twice as much (ice fishing) equipment as we had last year," Sunell said, adding that a greater demand is expected this season. "With cold weather ahead, I'm sure it will start to get more steady."

Steelhead fishing on the Clearwater remains a popular choice.

"They're using jigs and lighted lures," Sunell said. "Some are using shrimp bait."

Cold, windy weather makes it difficult to get on the stream or in a boat, limiting fishing opportunities in recent days.

However, Sunell hears some anglers are still finding windows to get out, including on Lake Coeur d'Alene and Priest Lake.

"I heard they're still getting kokanee on Priest, but it's been pretty quiet overall lately," Sunell said.

Pike fishing on area lakes, meanwhile, is slowing down.

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The water temperatures are way down in area rivers, so it's time for casters to start thinking outside the box a bit, said Pat Way of Orvis Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene.

Right now, the Clearwater, Snake and Ronde rivers are all producing lots of steelhead.

"Sink tips and good size leech patterns have been getting it done," Way said.

Fish Taco and Hobo Spey fly patterns have been working well, he said.

Closer to home, on the St. Joe and Coeur d'Alene rivers, there are a handful of trout fishing opportunities.

"The window has gotten much shorter," Way said.

The best fishing time is between 1 and 3 p.m., he said, and it's primarily nymphing.

•••

Folks can still expect to snag salmon on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

"Chinook are doing really well," said Dale Odenbaugh with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service. "You'll have to do some trolling, but you're going to catch a lot of them."

He recommended pulling herring or using mini hoochies.

The chinook must be at least 20 inches to keep. There is a two fish catch limit.

Some fishermen are hooking kokanee from the shoreline, Odenbaugh said.

"They're pretty much gone, they're dying," Odenbaugh said of the kokanee. "But guys are still catching 'em. There are still ones that you can keep."

He suggested jigging for them off the shoreline, with a pink jig.

Pike have also been doing well, he added.

Long bombers work well, he said, because they don't get tangled in the weeds.

Johnson silver minnows, jerk baits and spinnerbaits are also a good idea, Odenbaugh said.

"There have been some nice pike caught in nearly every bay," he said.

Fly fishing is still fruitful on the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers, Odenbaugh added.

Almost any kind of fly will work right now, he added, particularly orange stimulators.

"A lot of them think when the weather turns bad the fishing isn't good," he said. "But they don't mind. It's the same temperature where they're at."