Sandpoint/Ponderay, Idaho Fishing Report 05.16.18
Clark Fork River (ID)
Flows are at 100,000 cubic feet per second. This river is too high and dangerous for anyone to fish from shore, or from a boat.
Lake Pend Oreille
The lake level rose to “full pool” this week and there is no sign of it stopping anytime soon. Water visibility is roughly 2-3 feet depending on where you are fishing. There are debris scattered throughout the lake, so be extra careful boating. Surface temperature ranges from
49-60°F. The pike have finished spawning, but still remain in the same sloughs/bays they have been in for the past four weeks. Generally, the big females disappear once post-spawn rolls around. However, I have still seen pictures of a couple 15-20-pounders being caught. Bring your eight-weight rigged with floating line, and tie on a big, flashy, and red fly. My favorite fly for northerns is a Jackknife. The smallmouth should start spawning anytime this week, and the largemouth should be shortly after them. If you haven’t been out fishing for smallies yet this year, now is the time. Fishing has been red hot in four-to eight feet of water with fast sinking line, and #4 chartreuse Clousers. In some cases, flies have been out-fishing gear. Concentrate most of your time fishing shallow docks over sandy/gravelly bottoms.
Lake Cocolalla
Water visibility is two-to three feet throughout the entire lake. Fishing has been best in the morning with intermediate sinking lines over three-to eight feet of water. Big browns are still being caught every day. Try flies like a rust Baby Gonga, #6 ,CH olive Krystal Bugger, or #8 black Balanced Leech. The largemouth should be preparing to spawn, so hit the docks and flats for big ol’ largies.
Kootenai River
Flows out of the Libby Dam jumped up to 13,000 cfs this week. Water clarity is well-stained, but still fishable for the determined fisherman. It doesn’t hurt to give this river a day or two of rest immediately after a large flow increase. Once it levels out, March browns, Baetis, and midges will be the name of the game. If any of these bugs are hatching in large numbers, trout will start looking up in soft eddies. If the hatch is small or mediocre, your best bet is sinking nymphs and streamers. Nymphs such as a #8 purple Pat’s Rubberlegs, #12 Hare’s Ear, #12 San Juan Worm, #12 Mop Fly, and #16 purple Lightning Bug will pull fish out of the deeper runs. If you are searching for that once-in-a-lifetime fish, throw an articulated copper Sparkle Minnow or a silver Trout Slider.
See past reports from the Sandpoint/Ponderay area here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.