Cold gives one more chance at ice fishing

Just when you thought ice fishing was through ... It's not; and the recent string of frigid nights has hardened lakes back up.

Anglers antsy to start chasing after bass and other springtime catches should stay patient and keep ice fishing as long as the weather allows.

Might as well take advantage of the slightly longer window.

"I pretty much thought we were done," said Jeff Smith with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service. "A few days ago, you couldn't even get on Fernan Lake. But it's been cold enough you can walk back on again."

Although he recommended testing the edges before strolling out on Fernan, he said the rest of the lake is hard and prime for catching perch.

"I can't say there's been anything special," he mused about bait.

But he did suggest fishing on the bottom with a glow jig, baited with maggots.

Fishermen are snagging kokanee on Spirit Lake too, he said, by jigging at 25 to 30 feet.

"That can change. You still have to check," he cautioned, adding that folks are usually using glow hooks and maggots.

Kokanee and trout are also being hooked on Mirror Lake, Smith added.

A jig with a nightcrawler or a regular hook with a nightcrawler should snag the trout, he said.

Open water salmon fishing continues on Lake Coeur d'Alene, he said.

Most catches are around 8 pounds, he said, "which is a pretty nice fish."

He advised fishing shallower on the south end of the lake. Trolling helmeted herring or a Rapala plug around 30 feet should do the trick from East Point to Harrison, he said.

North of that area, he recommended trolling flashers and mini squids in the 80 to 100 foot range.

"Maybe just try one line up high, to keep the fish honest," he said.

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According to Pat Way, of Orvis Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene, the fluctuation in temperatures has made fishing as unpredictable as the weather.

After high water, then a cold snap, fishing conditions have been up and down, he said, including south of Coeur d'Alene on the Clearwater River.

"Steelhead fishing this weekend is still going to be tough in the main Clearwater and Grande Ronde rivers," Way said. "Although dropping, stream flows for steelhead fly fishing are just not ideal at the time."

The trout fishing however on local waters is looking up a bit, he said.

The Coeur d'Alene River has dropped to 1,230-cubic-feet-per-second, and is once again an option for a quick trip, Way said.

Nymphing with stonefly patterns and San Juan worms is going to be the best bet.

When the weather warms up a bit, anglers should have better luck in spots during afternoons.

"With the weather warming up next week, look for short dry fly opportunities in the afternoon," he said. "Winter stones and midges are hatching sporadically."

Rocky Ford Spring Creek continues to be the most solid option for trout fishing.

Way said to fish small scud patterns in sizes 18-22, or streamer fish some of the deeper water.

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Once again, Fluorocarbon leaders and tippets will help immensely, Way said.

Yet, some have had luck on the Clearwater River.

Steelhead fishing on the Clearwater River and Rocky Ford near Moses Lake for rainbow trout are some of the top options for anglers as spring comes around the corner, according to Bud Frasca of North West Classic Tackle in Hayden.

"Guys are catching six to eight fish on Rocky Ford that are between 18 and 24 inches," Frasca said. "There's some big rainbow there."

Midges work well on the stream, he said.

"It can get cold over there if the wind is blowing because it's out in the open," Frasca said.

The temperature drop has hampered some fishing.

Frasca said fishing on the lower Coeur d'Alene River has been slowed by recent colder temperatures, but he expects activity to heat back up in two weeks or so.

"The forecast is in the 40s, so fishing should pick back up again," he said.