Spring fishing signs starting to surface

Despite the sour weather, there are signs of spring yet, said Jeff Smith with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

Like catching panfish at Fernan Lake, Smith said.

"It's kind of almost a spring tradition," he said. "A lot of people go down there, and it's a lot of fun."

Fishermen over the past few days have started snagging blue gills, crappie and perch at the east end of the lake, he said.

Some are fishing off the shore, while others employ a canoe or john boat. The best sellers for lures have been rocket bobbers, Smith said, which folks use above a 1/64th or 1/80th ounce jig.

"Some guys will tip it with bait like maggots, or you can get artificial maggots or crappie nibbles," Smith added.

Rainbow trout can also be found in Fernan, close enough to be caught from the shore or the docks.

Smith said he has mostly observed bait fishing for rainbow trout with powerbait, nightcrawlers or both.

"(The trout) bite pretty good right after the ice goes out," Smith said, noting that the lake is mostly open water now.

Rose Lake is still good for bass and bluegill fishing, he said, with many using the same bobber-jig setup.

He recommended a lipless or regular crank bait for the bass.

Most of the Chain Lakes are also thawed out, he said.

Pike fishing is brewing at Killarney and Cave lakes, he said. He suggested bait fishing for pike with either smelt or herring, or by casting daredevil spoons or Husky Jerk Rapalas.

Lake Coeur d'Alene continues to be reliable for chinook salmon, for which Smith recommended using plugs like the deep down husky jerk, fire tiger or hot tiger.

"We run them off of planer boards," he said.

The south end of the lake is usually the best area to drop a line, he added.

"They're roaming swimmers, they can be anywhere, really," he acknowledged. "But the odds are they're more down south."

Smith said he has also sold plenty of smelt and herring to folks fishing for pike on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

"If the water keeps coming up, there'll be more places (to pike fish)," he said, like Cougar and Mica bays. "The pike will start coming in."

Steelhead fishing remains popular choice

Steelhead fishing to the south remains among the most popular options for anglers, said Duane Sunell of Cabela's.

"Some people are still going down to Riggins, Grangeville, Lewiston and Orofino," Sunell said.

In the Grangeville area, much of the fishing is being done off the bottom, while toward Lewiston bobbers and jigs are being used.

"Black with white heads (jigs) seem to work the best," Sunell said.

Salmon fishing on Lake Coeur d'Alene is starting to heat up.

"They were about 30 feet down the last I heard and people were using herring and pulling a Rapala," Sunell said.

On Priest Lake, mackinaw fishing awaits.

"They're jigging and trolling for those," Sunell said.

Ice fishing on area lakes, meanwhile, is slowing down even with the recent snow. Fly fishing on area streams has also been slow due to high and mucky water because of rainfall, Sunell said.

"A lot of people are getting their boats ready, buying seats and paddles," he said. "Pike and bass fishing should come on when the water warms up."

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Dramatic swings in weather are making spring fishing season a little unpredictable, but anglers are still going after pike, crappie and catfish despite winter-like conditions.

Pike, crappie and catfish are usually spring-time catches, but that hasn't stopped anglers from getting an early jump.

Pike are being pulled from the Chain Lakes on occasion, so use smelt and dead bait to go after them, said Tina Padgitt, of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

"It's still a little early," she said.

When will the season kick in full gear?

"With this weather pattern, your guess is as good as mine," she said.

But anglers are also pulling catfish from Lake Fernan and Hauser Lake, using catfish bait, and casting just off the banks.

Anglers are also landing crappie in Hayden Lake, and in the Chain Lakes. Crappie jigs are the best bet for those, of course, Padgitt said.