Coeur d’Alene Fishing Report 04.12.18
Coeur d' Alene River
Flow 11,000 cfs and dropping. Well guys I'd call this normal for this time of year, but sorry to tell you the river is blown out. It is dropping currently, but with more rain in the forecast picturing yourself on the water anytime soon is wishful thinking. If flows drop in the next couple weeks to 3,000-4,000 cfs the river will fish. It will still be a little high for wading, but you’ll be able to float. While the water is high you might want to start looking for bass and pike on local lakes.
St. Joe
Flow 6,350 cfs and dropping fast. Well, there might be a slight window in the next week if it gets down around 4,000-5,000 cfs. That would be a perfect flow for floating. However, we are supposed to get more rain, so this might not happen. Think lakes—the bass and pike fishing is starting to get good.
Clark Fork River (MT)
Flow 8,760 cfs and climbing. Up, up and away! Where she stops no one knows. It’s going to be a big water year although we may see a reprieve in the next two to three weeks. That could be short-lived so get your licks in if the river drops into shape. The Clark Fork can fish great at high flows so stay tuned. For now, get your lake fishing on.
Local Lakes: Hayden, Coeur d' Alene, Chain lakes, Fernan
All fishing good. The crappie and panfish game is pretty steady now and will get better with the warmer temps to come. Small Woolly Buggers, damselflies, bead-head Prince Nymphs, Balanced Leeches, Mohair Leeches ar all great choices. Slowly strip them off structure (trees, docks, lillypads) or let them sit under an indicator and you will do just fine. A few smallmouth are being caught now, too, but it’s a bit on the slow side as they are not in the shallows in big numbers yet. A full-sink line with black rabbit leeches, Clouser Minnows, and Jesus lizards will get fish. Pike fishing has improved and I have done pretty well this past week. Large, 4 to 5-inch long white, red or chartreuse streamers with lots of flash are all going to get chased. Any of the shallow back bays will be quite a bit warmer than the open water. You’ll find pike there and they are plenty aggressive. Our bins are full of killer flies, so come in and check us out for the right stuff.