One of the best bets for anglers is steelhead fishing on the Grand Ronde and Snake rivers, said Bud Frasca of North West Classic Tackle in Hayden.

"That is when it's not icy," Frasca said. "You have to check the river flows and see."

Frasca said indicators with jigs or indicators with a sink-tip fly line should do the trick.

"Steelhead fishing is still going on, but even that can be spotty," he said.

Frasca said fishing on North Idaho lakes should improve as the weather warms up.

"That should happen in the next few weeks," he said. "One of the first places to fish (in the spring) will be the lakes in eastern Washington."

He said lakes on that side of the border typically warm up faster than on the Idaho side.

"A lot of lakes start to fish well in March, so we only have a couple weeks to go," he said.

Don't give up on ice fishing yet.

Twin Lakes is still boasting a sturdy layer of ice, said Dale Odenbaugh with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

As for Fernan Lake, he advised caution.

"Fernan is still a little bit iffy around the shores," he said. "With this weather, you're getting into a dangerous period where you've got to be careful."

Folks dropping lines through the ice are catching trout, perch, crappie, bluegill and bass, Odenbaugh said.

Chinook fishing on Lake Coeur d'Alene is "going really well," Odenbaugh added.

Fins and Feathers staff recently reeled in an 11 pounder and 9 pounder, he said.

He suggested using a Black and Glow mini squid or Mexican Flag mini squid. Herring is also a good idea.

Odenbaugh recommended fishing for chinook between 40 to 70 foot depths.

"It's a pretty big range," he said, adding that some are also fishing around 100 feet for smaller fish.

Most are catching chinook around the north end of the lake, he said.

Northern pike are being caught in Lake Coeur d'Alene, too, Odenbaugh said.

He weighed in three fish in the mid teens in the past week, he said.

"There have been nice fish caught out of virtually every bay people can get to, that doesn't have a little bit of ice," he said.

He recommended using smelt or herring.

Also folks are using a slip bobber and steel leader with treble hooks.

"You drop her down to either right on the bottom or right above the bottom," Odenbaugh said. "A lot of people will just set them out and let them set on the bottom."

Folks are fishing the same way when they tip up on frozen lakes, he added.

"Any lake with pike in it, that's the way to catch them," he said.

Fishing in the region has improved over the last week for both steelhead and local cutthroat, said Pat Way of Orvis Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene.

"Steelhead fishing on the Snake and Clearwater rivers has been fairly consistent," Way said. "Hobo speys fished on sink tip lines have been the most effective, but some anglers are catching steelhead with tandem nymph rigs as well."

He said that with fewer fish in the system this year, swinging flies has been as effective as nymphing.

"The Grand Ronde has dropped in flows, but it is always a good idea to check with us on flows before you go," Way said. "The Coeur d'Alene River has been giving up a few fish in the lower end."

Streamer and nymph fishing have been the most effective, Way said.

"With warmer weather in the forecast you may see some dry fly activity, but it will be short and sporadic," Way said.

Big stonely nymphs and San Juan's have been the most effective nymphs, while sculpin patterns are the most sought after streamers, Way said.