Kokanee populations in Lake Coeur d'Alene are becoming more abundant, so anglers should hit the lake hard to reap the rewards.

Dale Odenbaugh, with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service, said the best spot to nab the growing numbers is at the north end of the lake.

"They're starting to show up on the north end more," Odenbaugh said. "There are starting to be really be a bunch of them down here."

He recommended trolling for the kokanee with a flasher, wedding ring and rubber snubber.

"They're pretty small," Odenbaugh said of the kokanee size. "You're generally looking at 9 to 11 inches. They have been picking up some bigger ones, though."

Smallmouth bass are going strong on Lake Coeur d'Alene, too.

Twin tailed grubs or tube jigs are best to snag the smallmouth, he said.

"Just the shorelines is where you want to go," he said of where to drop a line.

Pike are still getting reeled in from the bays on the lake, he added. Spinnerbaits, spoons and Husky Jerks have been working well for catching the pike.

Don't let the recent cold front disappoint you if fishing wasn't at its best this past week.

With warm weather patterns expected the rest of the month, good fishing should still be the norm, as it has most of the summer, said Bud Frasca of North West Classic Tackle in Hayden.

"Everything should get hopping again," Frasca said. "Try ants, hoppers, crickets on the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe (rivers). Soft tackle flies work. They're getting caddis hatches every day, which is great."

Although when it's too hot, that can be a problem too, Frasca said, as the constant scorching temperatures earlier this month slowed fishing down a bit.

But it should be fine from here on out, with temps in the 70s expected.

So capitalize on the weather at Hayden Lake, pike and bass fishing remains strong, Frasca said.

For bass, 4-inch worms, drop shooting, tube baits and rubber jigs should work.

"Bass will be in deeper water during the day and in shallower water in the evenings," Frasca said. "You can use surface lures in the evening. You need to fish the rocky points in 15 to 20 feet of water."

For pike, try spinnerbaits or a spoon lure, such as a Daredevil.

Early morning or evening fishing is the best bet this time of year.

River fishing is a good bet too, and should likely get even better.

Fish should once again be looking to eat dry flies. Hoppers, beetles and ant patterns have been very effective on both the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers, said Pat Way, of Orvis Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene.

"The Clark Fork (River) could be another very good option for the next week or two," he said.

In addition to the terrestrial insects, fisherman should also see caddis, PMDs and maybe a few mahogany duns, he said.

"Steelhead season is just around the corner and we are ready," Way said. "Look for fishing to improve dramatically on local waters with the recent cooling trend."