Winter Fishing Report

This report highlights a few of the best places to fish, what anglers are using and what they are catching. The information is compiled from regional Fish and Game fishery managers, local tackle shops and anglers.

The unusually warm winter has made for some interesting winter fishing this year. It's made ice fishing a little more hit-and-miss in terms of ice conditions than normal. Whereas last winter anglers enjoyed some of the best ice fishing on Priest Lake they'd seen in years, it looks very doubtful that even Cavenaugh Bay will freeze this year. Similarly, ice on the chain lakes, which provide a popular ice-fishery for northern pike, was good in December, but has become pretty marginal. Nevertheless, several of the smaller lakes have been providing some great ice fishing. Spirit Lake has been producing great catches of kokanee and a few perch. Cocolalla, Gamble, Avondale, Fernan, Hauser, Round, and Kelso are great places to catch a variety of species, including perch, trout, crappie, and bluegill.

If you're going ice fishing, USE CAUTION!! Ice conditions are highly variable - particularly in such a warm winter, so drill test holes and take note of the quality of the ice.

The lack of snow and warm weather has created some good fishing conditions as well. Anglers looking to fish the St. Joe or Coeur d'Alene rivers have been enjoying open roads and plenty of easy access and up both rivers. Boaters looking to fish the big lakes have found ramps are accessible and in great condition around the region. As long as there's no snow, anglers wishing to fish the south end of Pend Oreille can launch at the Eagle ramp at Farragut State Park. The boat basin and Pringle Park near Hope are in good condition for anglers fishing the north end.