Plenty of pike, perch under the ice

Ice fishing is steady as ever.

So anglers should keep up what they've been doing all winter long, said Tina Padgitt, of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

That means use a regular pike rig loaded with smelt and drop the line to the bottom of the Chain Lakes to catch pike, she said.

Hayden is loaded with pike too, and the same formula applies there.

But jig for perch on Lake Fernan and the Twin Lakes, where anglers have been having success, she said.

Bud Frasca, of North West Classic Tackle in Hayden, said he hears that steelhead fishing on the Clearwater River is still a good option for anglers.

Ice fishing on area lakes is another option, but caution is always urged because conditions can change daily.

Frasca said fly fishing-related events are planned for the first half of this year.

The North Idaho Fly Fishing Expo is in Lewiston March 22-23, a benefit auction/dinner for Casting for Recovery at the Coeur d'Alene Inn on April 27 and there's a local Fly Fishing 101 class on May 7, May 14 and May 21.

Watch for more information on these events to be posted at www.northidahoflycasters.org.

Ice fishermen can still reel in perch and trout from Fernan Lake, said Dale Odenbaugh with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

But he advised caution.

"The ice is a little sloppy, with water on top," Odenbaugh said. "Don't be scared to punch some holes just to make sure."

He recommended running ice fishing jigs or Swedish Pimples with maggots.

"Drop to the bottom and raise up a little bit," Odenbaugh said, adding that sometimes pounding the bottom is also helpful. "That should entice a bite."

For trout, he suggested keeping 2 to 3 feet off the bottom.

Those methods should work just as well at lakes like Granite, Cocolalla, Round and Kelso, Odenbaugh added.

Fishermen are also still catching chinook on Lake Coeur d'Alene, he said.

He suggested running mini squid and herring.

"The herring tends to get your bigger fish," he said.