Cd'A River fishing well
Pat Way, of Orvis Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene, said the Coeur d'Alene River has been fishing well.
"There is quite a bit of bug activity and it looks like the fish are paying attention," Way said.
Green Drakes, golden stoneflies and a few salmonflies are out and about, he said.
"Wading continues to be tricky, but will progressively get better the higher you go up the drainage," Way said. "We are still not recommending crossing or wading anywhere in the lower river."
Area lakes also continue to produce nice fish, he said.
Hayden, Coeur d'Alene and the Chain Lakes are giving up some nice bass and pike.
Big streamer patterns are working well on both species. During low light, he has had some success on surface poppers.
The best lake trout fishing remains in Eastern Washington on Coffeepot and Amber lakes.
"Wooly buggers, damsel nymphs and chironomids are the patterns of choice," Way said.
Fishing heats up with rivers' drop
The Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers offer great fishing due to the recent drop in water levels, said Bud Frasca of North West Classic Tackle in Hayden.
"This is a busy time of year because fishing is good everywhere," Frasca said. "The rivers are dropping and getting better every day."
Anglers may choose to float the rivers with a pontoon or drift boat or fish from the bank.
Frasca said he wouldn't recommend wading yet.
"It's still pretty high for that," he said.
Bass, crappie and pike fishing are going well on Hayden Lake and Lake Coeur d'Alene, Frasca said.
Nymphs with an indicator and streamers should do the trick.
Kelso, Round and Cocollala lakes can be trolled for trout. Try a spinner with a worm behind it.
If you fish from the bank, use power bait, Frasca said.
"Hatches are ready to be caught," he said.
Frasca said the recent overcast days make for great fishing weather, but he doesn't recommend getting in a boat when there's a threat of lightning.
Overall, it's a good time to be on the lake or a river before summer's busy season emerges.