Fishing on the lower sections of the Coeur d'Alene and St. Joe rivers is picking up with warmer temperatures, said Bud Frasca of North West Classic Tackle in Hayden.

Nymphs with indicators or streamers should work, Frasca said.

"We're starting to see a few dry flies - little black stone flies and midges," said Frasca, referring to river conditions.

Frasca said anglers can wade the rivers because there isn't much snow down low, but it's always a good idea to check river levels.

"River flows have been good lately because the runoff hasn't started yet," he said.

Rain and future runoff could temporarily stall fishing in some areas, however.

Frasca said pike can be caught with bait on area lakes, including Hayden and Coeur d'Alene. Try minnows for bait.

More lakes in the region will be opening up and finish melting off with spring-like temperatures, Frasca said.

Meanwhile, the south fork of the Clearwater River continues to be busy with steelhead fishing.

"That can get really crowded because a lot of people are looking to take fish home," Frasca said.

Pat Way, at Orvis Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene, said, "Fishing on local rivers has been very good the last couple of weeks; however, we expect to see water flows rise with this week's rainy forecast."

He said if the flows don't jump too dramatically and the water clarity stays within a few feet of visibility, local trout fishing could still be an option.

"Look to fish inside seams with stonefly nymphs and San Juan worm droppers," Way said.

There has been sporadic midge and blue-winged olive hatches in the late afternoon, he said.

"Streamer fishing has also been effective some days as well," he said.

Heavily weighted sculpin patterns fished in back eddies and soft water have produced nice cutthroat, Way said.

"Although the weather and water may not cooperate the next few days, we don't suspect that the river will be high for long," Way said. "As always, feel free to call the shop with any last minute questions."

Meanwhile, at last check cutthroat season was just warming up on the Coeur d'Alene River.

The river is wadeable, about medium height, and anglers are getting a jump on spring fishing.

They're casting lines with Sculpin fly patters. Specifically, they're tying on Sculpin fly patterns, mostly tan and olive-green flies, sized 10, according to Brad Zierer of Black Sheep Sporting Goods.

While steelhead fishing is always popular on the Clearwater River south of here, anglers who want to stay closer to home can go after pan fish and pike at Fernan Lake.

Tina Padgitt at Black Sheep Sporting Goods said that type of fishing is heating up. Anglers are using Powerbaits and worms for panfish, and smelt to go after pike. They're casting from the banks.

More people are reeling in chinook from Lake Coeur d'Alene, said Dale Odenbaugh.

"The chinook are high now," he said, adding that most are found from mid lake to the south end.

Many fishermen are pulling Hot Tiger Rapalas or deep-diving Husky Jerks and herring, said Odenbaugh, with Fins and Feathers Tackle Shop and Guide Service.

Folks are still catching pike in the lake's bays, he added.

He recommended using herring or smelt.

Lake Fernan has thawed, Odenbaugh said, which gives plenty of opportunity to fish for crappie, perch, trout and bluegill.

He suggested running a bobber and a crappie jig. For trout specifically, he recommended using Powerbait or a nightcrawler with marshmallows off the bottom.

"If you use a white crappie jig, you have a really good chance of getting a trout," Odenbaugh said.