Kokanee have been biting well on Lake Coeur d'Alene, according to Jeff Smith of Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

"They seem to be scattered around the lake," Smith said, adding that some fishermen are focusing on the southern end by Harrison, and others in northern spots like Bennett and Beauty bays.

Kokanee are usually about 30 feet deep, Smith said. He suggested using a tractor with a wedding ring spinner, baited with corn or maggots.

Northern pike have moved out to deeper weed beds on Lake Coeur d'Alene, Smith added, between 6 and 15 feet of water.

Just pitch some different colored spinner baits, like orange and brown, Smith suggested, and pike should be biting soon enough.

"Some days they're really aggressive, and other days not so much," he said. "I haven't seen any really big fish, most are under 10 pounds, but it's still a lot of fun."

Lake Pend Oreille has plenty of rainbow trout and mackinaw these days, Smith said.

Many of those fish can be caught on or near the surface, he said, suggesting any color of Apex trolling lure.

"You can run a lot of lines out there," Smith said. "Scatter those lines out and go on the troll until you start hitting some active fish, then isolate that area and go to work on 'em."

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"The Clark Fork is probably fishing as good as it's going to get this year," said Brian Gregg at Orvis Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene.

Gregg suggested rubber leg nymphs as a good choice for anyone heading that way.

Fishing is still going well on the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene, he said, from Teepee Creek near Magee and below.

"Big Hank, Devil's Elbow," Gregg said. "During the day you can start fishing terrestrials, big beetle patterns, Chernobyl ants."

Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers

Get ready for some great fishing, said Mark Roush of ROW Adventures in Coeur d'Alene.

"Dry flies are the ticket for most of the day, but fish will eat almost anything that you throw at them," he said. "Fish are looking up for caddis, big stymies, parachute adams, small pale morning duns and even the occasional terrestrial."

You can fish sub-surface and get some action as well, he said.

Big prince nymphs, San Juans and copper johns should do the trick.

"Some of the larger fish are still the most aggressive when fishermen are stripping buggers and leeches," Roush said. "The fishing should continue to be very solid for the next week, as it looks as though this wonderful weather should continue."

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The Coeur d'Alene River is still running fast and steady, so for easier casting and catching, anglers could focus on the final few weeks of smallmouth bass fishing on Hayden Lake.

No surprises here, but the smallmouth are chasing lines loaded with senko worms and spinner baits, said Brad Zierer of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

The fish are typically by docks and rocks and should hang out there around three more weeks until after the spawning season, he said.

For bass fishing, Hauser Lake has slowed down since the bass have spawned. Bass and pike are still active on Hayden Lake chasing senko worms, while pike and largemouth are also chasing senkos and spinner baits at the Chain Lakes.

Area lakes

The smallmouth and largemouth bite is on.

Be sure to have plenty of senko worms and rebel crankbaits in your arsenal.

"Crappie pods are still relatively active so do not hesitate to pitch out a baited grub," he said. "Drifting night crawlers along the bottom is always a productive technique."

Husky jerks in a variety of patterns will usually trigger a strike from a hungry pike. Be sure to pause your retrieve at times to be sure the lure is acting like indigenous bait.

"The smaller lakes will continue to produce healthy catches of bluegill and pumpkinseed for the next couple of weeks," Roush said.