The lowdown on pike

COEUR d'ALENE - Tonight, Jeff Smith will share secrets on how to land pike, big and small, in North Idaho.

"It's a quick lesson on where to find these pike," he said, smiling.

He'll even tell you which ones you want on the dinner table.

"The smaller ones, 4 to 10 pounds, are good eating," said Smith, owner of Fins and Feathers in Coeur d'Alene.

Spring seminars on fishing are under way at Mark's Marine Inc., 14355 N Government Way, Hayden.

Smith will begin his pike program at 6:30.

"There has been a lot of call recently for a pike seminar as fishing for this fish species has had some spectacular catches in the last couple of years from local lakes," according to a press release. "Idaho Fish and Game considers the northern pike to be an invasive species in local waters so there are no limits on fishing for these in the Panhandle Region. It doesn't hurt that pike caught in cold water are great to eat as well."

"He is well versed in fishing for salmon, pike, or bass and we're lucky to have him as a strong voice in the local fishing community," according to a press release.

Smith has been fishing local lakes for more than 30 years. If anyone knows how to hook salmon, pike or bass, it's him.

But tonight, it's all about pike.

Smith, taking a break from business at his shop on 19th and Sherman, knows he'll be speaking to a mixed crowd - some who have never gone after pike, and some who have.

His program will cover pike, their habitat, techniques, gear and lures to catch them, and where to look on a year-round basis.

"They are a weed fish," Smith said. "If you find what we call cabbage weeds, you're probably very close to the right spot."

Lake Coeur d'Alene is clear enough, "you can see through the water and see where the weed beds are."

If it's big pike you're after, cast your line in Lake Coeur d'Alene.

If you're just looking for bites, go to Medicine, Cave, Thompson or Killarney lakes.

"For the most fish, I'd have to say the Chain Lakes. The numbers are a little bit stronger, but the size is a little bit smaller."

Pike range from 3 to 30 pounds.

"That's the excitement to it. When you set that hook, you don't know if it's going to be a 3-pounder or a 23-pounder," he said.

Smith, who considers himself on the chatty side, gives fishing presentations a few times a year. Last year, he spoke about salmon, which brings a big smile to his face as he recalls it.

"I might just slip a little bit of that in. It's happening right now, the salmon are biting," he said.

"There will be guys asking me about it, too. You never know what's going to come up in these seminars."

Organizers said the spring fishing seminars are a fun way Mark's Marine can give back to the fishing community and help it to grow.

"Fishing and hunting are very important segments of the economy in the Inland Northwest and this is one small way that local businesses like Mark's Marine can help to grow the sport," a press release said.

More talks scheduled

The spring fishing seminars schedule at Mark's Marine Inc., 14355 N Government Way, Hayden:

• March 28: Bass fishing, Tony McCalmant and Jim Grassi.

• April 4: Seminar topic to be announced, by Mike Condon and Benita Galland of the LCAA.

• April 11: Lowrance Electronics, by: Mike Pentony, Navico/ Lowrance Factory Pro Staff.

Seminars are at 6:30 p.m. and are free.