Jordan Smith at Fins and Feathers in Coeur d'Alene said salmon and pike are still hitting hard this week.

Anglers are having the most luck catching salmon on the south end of Lake Coeur d'Alene while trolling herring with a helmet between 5 and 40 feet below the surface. Blue, UV or green helemets are working best, he said.

"There have been a few salmon caught on the north end of the lake, but they are getting a lot more bites on the south end," Smith said.

Pike are still hitting smelt and herring, but that won't do much good in the spring pike tournament this weekend, Smith said.

"It's artificial lures only," Smith said, adding that teams can register and get detailed rules at Fins and Feathers.

Trout fishing is picking up on Fernan Lake, Smith said.

"Trollers are using a wedding ring set up," he said. "From shore they are catching them on a worm and marshmallow."

Crappie are still hitting jigs tipped with a maggot. He said most people are using bobbers and dangling the jig about three feet below the surface. Chartruse and pearl colored jigs are working the best, he said.

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Weather dictates how fishing will play out.

Right now, it's too cold for spawning season, so the fish aren't swimming up to shallow waters yet.

But they will, and when the lake temperature rises crappie, pike and bass season will be in full gear, said Randy Johnson, of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

Right now anglers may have to wait a bit.

"One thing that's not hot is the water," Johnson said. "But as it warms up fishing will get better."

When it does, smaller lakes like Twin, Spirit and Hauser should heat up first.

Fernan and Hayden lakes are good spots, too. Go after pike using Jerkbaits, Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits, just about anything, Johnson said.

Use crappie jigs for crappies, casting from the banks. Pike are going after Jerkbaits, like Husky Jerks, and they're usually the first to spawn and swim in shallow.

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Mike Beard, of Orvis Northwest Outfitters, said this time of year is all about capitalizing on some fairly short windows for river fishing.

"They fluctuate pretty quickly with warm weather, rain, or cold nights and snow, but as long as the water is in its banks, and on the drop with at least a couple feet clarity you are going to have a chance at catching some fish," Beard said.

Floating this time of year is for experienced floaters only and wading is still not an option as far as walking in the river, but staying on the banks and rocks will provide some good spots to get at the fish, Beard said.

"Afternoons have been the best when the fish and the bugs get more active," he said. "Good amounts of skwala's, March Browns, gray drakes and BWO's have the fish feeding when the conditions are right. Streamer fishing and nymphing before you see bugs will produce as well."

The local lakes are starting to fish well and offer a great change of pace for those who still need to wet a line, Beard said.

Smaller lakes like Fernan and Rose are fishing well for crappie, blue gill, bass and the occasional pike.

"These lakes will only get better as they warm up, but stripping a wooly bugger or leach pattern can be a great way to spend the afternoon while waiting for the rivers to get fishing again," Beard said.

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The Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers are dropping again, making them better options for anglers, said Bud Frasca of North West Classic Tackle in Hayden.

"But the rivers are still too high to wade," Frasca said.

Frasca said he recommends lake fishing on both sides of the border.

"Pike and bass on Hayden and Coeur d'Alene keep getting better," he said. "The (predicted) warmer weather should get everything going - trout, too."

For pike and bass, try spinner baits and plastic lizards and worms.

"Pike also take bass lures," Frasca said.