COEUR d'ALENE - Bud Frasca, owner of North West Classic Tackle in Hayden, said smallmouth bass in Hayden are spawning so it's a great time to go after them.

Largemouth should be spawning by the next full moon, he said.

For the smallmouth, he said, four-inch worms or rubber tubes are the best option right now.

"You'll catch more (bass) with those, but they won't be as big," Frasca said. The little guys just get there before the bigger fish. For bigger bass, go with crankbaits.

With the tubes, he recommends using just a lead head for weight on six-pound line.

"Let it sink slowly," he said. "A lot of times they'll take it on the drop."

The rubber worms should be separated by roughly 18 inches from a weight, which should move along the bottom. The worm floats along above the weeds.

"Just slowly reel it back," he said. "It's a really effective technique for bass."

In the mornings and evening, he said, try plugs. Once the sun is up, though, fishermen have to get down in the water for success.

The north end of Hayden is best for bass, he said. Rocky points on the lake get really good in the late summer, when fisherman should try crawfish lures.

"The lake is filled with crawfish," he said.

As for crappie in Hayden, they are on the move toward deeper water.

Still, he said, "You can catch (crappie) all summer long if you want to fish 30 feet of water."

He's been able to get some in 12 feet of water recently.

The crappie should be done spawning in two weeks, Frasca said.

While crappie meat is delicious, it's tough these days finding one 12 to 14 inches.

A great place to get crappie right now is the north end of Cocolalla Lake, said Duane Sunell of Cabela's.

He recommended using a tube, and an effective color is chartreuse. Just drop it down and jig it on the way back.

Sunell said he has been catching Mackinaw on Priest Lake.

He has been jigging at the bottom, at depths of 150 feet, with a RealImage and a bit of sucker meat on the hooks.

He has been able to land some in the 2- to 7-pound range, but mostly about 3 to 4 pounds.

"There's some big ones in there," Sunell said. (Fisherman have been landing Mackinaw up to 20 pounds, he said.)