Perch, trout can be snared through ice

The ice on Kootenai County lakes might not be ideal, but it's enough to keep fishermen occupied, according to Jeff Smith.

"It's not real thick yet, but most lakes have at least 4 inches so far," said Smith, of Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service, on Tuesday.

That provides a few options.

Some have started perch fishing on Fernan Lake, Smith said. He recommended fishing on the bottom with jigs, baited with maggots, at roughly 15 to 20 foot depths.

Many have also relied on a Swedish pimple with a short leader and small jig underneath.

"The better ones will be 8 to 10 inch perch," Smith said.

Trout are also biting under the ice at Fernan, he said. Most are found at 8 or 9 foot depths, he said.

Folks can use the same setup used for perch, he said, or even just a hook and worm.

"You just have to find the depth on the trout," Smith said.

Some are fishing for northern pike through the ice at the north end of Hayden Lake, Smith said.

He suggested fishing shallow, around 6 to 8 feet deep. Fishermen have been using smelt or herring for bait, he added.

"Sizes have been mixed," Smith said. "You never know. They can be 3 pounds or 8 pounds or 18 pounds."

A gaggle of anglers have also made their way to Killarney Lake for pike, Smith said.

They usually use a tip-up setup, he said. Smelt and herring are also popular for bait there, he added.

Others have headed to Upper Twin Lakes for perch, crappie and pike, he said.

"Most of the people are pan fishing," he said. "They're smaller there, but the action is pretty good."

Smith predicted this weekend will see excellent ice fishing conditions, he added.

"The temperatures are supposed to be below freezing at night, and around 30 degrees during the day," he said. "The ice stays safe, and you don't freeze to death while you're out there."

Ice fishing has become more common on area lakes with the recent cold temperatures.

"It should be safe on most lakes, but people should still use caution," said Steve Holweg of Cabela's.

Anglers are urged to drill holes to see for themselves how thick the ice is.

Holweg recommends using small jigs tipped with worms or power bait.

For pike, smelt or herring may do the trick.

"The interesting thing about ice fishing is that you can catch it all," Holweg said. "They're not swimming fast and super aggressive."

Holweg said chinook salmon fishing on Lake Coeur d'Alene is another option for anglers. He said it's a good idea to carry a set of chains in case of icy conditions with boats.

Holweg also hears that fishing for trout on Lake Roosevelt in Washington - either from a boat or the shoreline - is going well.

Anglers are still waiting for lakes to freeze - though the ice is getting better.

While waiting for ice to thicken, anglers can still troll for chinook on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Go after the salmon by trolling lines loaded with herring or mini squids. Trolling should last all winter, so sink lines to 60 feet or so.

The advice for this week is the same as last week, according to Tina Padgitt, of Black Sheep Sporting Goods. When the ice does return for good, go after pike with tip-ups.

The smaller lakes are the first to freeze over, so Fernan, Kelso, Twin Lakes and the south side of Lake Cocolalla have been the hot spots for going after perch. When the time comes, use a Swedish pimple and a worm and drop the line to the bottom of the lake.

Trout are even being caught at Cocolalla.