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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hunting & Fishing

Fenton Roskelley Correspondent

Opener, Washington

Fishing on a general “opening day” is still a tradition with a majority of trout fishermen, even though many lakes are now open year-round.

The tradition should continue with crowds heading to Washington lakes that open Saturday. And a good number of anglers are likely to show at three North Idaho waters that open to trout fishing.

Top Spokane region trout lakes for the opener include Fishtrap, Badger, Williams, West Medical and Amber.

Water levels are higher than most people can remember, making boat launching difficult at some lakes.

“You can’t even see the top rung of the boat ramps at most lakes,” said Madonna Luers, state Fish and Wildlife Department spokeswoman. “The access ramp for handicapped anglers at West Medical Lake is under water. Fishing could be difficult from some shorelines.”

Also, water temperatures are colder than normal for April, a factor that could make fishing slow.

The angler turnout in the Columbia Basin will be small compared to those in the halycon days of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. These days, the majority of lakes either are open year-round or opened March 1.

Blue and Park were treated with rotenone last fall and have been planted with catchable-size rainbows. Blue is getting 80,000, Park, 50,000. Near-by Dry Falls, a selective fishery lake that holds 12- to 20-inch rainbows and browns, likely will attract more anglers than Blue and Park combined.

Numerous put-and-take lakes in Okanogan and Douglas counties will attract big crowds. Those who fish Jameson, however, may be disappointed. Biologists say low oxygen levels apparently resulted in a big loss last winter.

A “sleeper” is Sidley, a 116-acre lake near Molson, less than a mile from the Canada-U.S. border. The FWD has installed an aerator to improve the survival rate of the rainbows. The high-elevation lake is a slow starter but expect outstanding fishing for 12- to 18-inch trout by June.

Almost certainly, an angler will catch a mackinaw that weighs more than 10 pounds out of Loon Lake.

On Thursday, workers opened the road to Potters Pond and Bayley lakes on the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge. With more than a foot of water and debris on portions of the road, low-riding cars could have trouble, said Jim Lillie, refuge spokesman.

The road was opened Thursday to McDowell Lake campground, but not as far as the overlook parking.

The Fish and Wildlife Department has been unable to plant some of the lakes the last few weeks because of bad roads and ice on the lakes.

High water, mud, snowdrifts and downed trees will make some waters in northeastern Washington inaccessible this weekend. Anglers should call ahead to resorts or Forest Service offices for road conditions.

Lake Pend Oreille Derby

More than $30,000 in cash and Kamloops and Kokanee cash will go to anglers who catch the biggest fish during the K&K Challenge Derby at Lake Pend Oreille that starts Saturday and ends nine days later on May 4.

The sponsoring Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club will award $10,000 to the adult who catches the largest rainbow or mackinaw trout. In addition, the club will give $10,000 - money not likely to be awarded - to the fisherman who breaks the mackinaw state record. The record is 57 pounds, nearly three times larger than any mack caught this year.

Only rainbows 32 inches or longer will be eligible for entry in the adult division. K&K cash prizes for rainbows: First, $3,000; second, $2,000; and third, $1,000.

K&K cash prizes for mackinaws, adult division: First, $2,000; second, $1,000; and third, $500.

The angler who catches the largest brown trout will win $150 in K&K cash. Fishermen who catch the largest perch and crappie will get $50 each in K&K cash, which is redeemable for merchandise.

Several hundred dollars in K&K cash will be awarded to youngsters who catch the largest rainbows and mackinaws.

Anglers who want to take part can pay the $20 registration fee at numerous Inland Northwest marinas and sporting goods shops.

Awards will be presented May 10, 7 p.m., at Bonner Mall in Sandpoint. Winning fish will be on display.

Idaho openers

Besides Lake Pend Oreille, two other Panhandle lakes will open to trout fishing Saturday. They are Hayden and Jewel. The limit is two a day, none under 14 inches.

Because so many cutthroat were caught in the shallow outlet area, which is open year-round, the last few weeks, it’s possible trout fishing may be mediocre at Hayden.

Jewel is a small lake south of Sandpoint. Since the limit has been only two trout a day for several years, the lake should produce fairly good fishing this season.

Turkey hunting

Hunters have killed numerous gobblers in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho the last 10 days, despite frequent rain, snowstorms and high winds.

Most hunters report seeing and hearing lots of turkeys.

With most experts done hunting for the season and many others convinced turkey hunting requires a lot of knowledge and contact with landowners, turkey habitat won’t be as crowded the rest of the season as it was during the first few days on and after April 15.

Washington’s season ends May 15; Idaho’s general seasons end May 11. Some Idaho controlled hunts have ended, two end today and others will end Sunday, May 4 and May 18.

Chinook salmon

Trollers have been hooking 7- to 12-pound chinooks regularly at Lake Coeur d’Alene, Jeff Smith, owner of the Fins & Feathers Shop, reported.

Experienced fishermen have been catching one or two salmon every time they fish, he said. Most popular bait is a helmeted herring. The Pro-King and Diamond King flutter spoons have been popular with many lure fishermen.

Most of the chinooks have been caught 8 to 15 feet below the surface in the north end of the lake.

Spiny rays

If you want to catch a keeper walleye, fish Sprague Lake.

Monika Metz, co-owner of Sprague Lake Resort, said anglers caught numerous 18-inch-plus walleyes during calm weather last week and Saturday. Forty- to 50-mph winds kept nearly all fishermen off the lake Sunday.

Metz said fishermen have been using crank baits and other lures and fishing in 10 feet of water. The lures must be moved slowly to interest the walleyes.

Smith said crappie and perch fishing has been good at Fernan Lake on the north end of Coeur d’Alene. Fishermen also have been catching a few rainbows.

Bass fishing has been fair at the lakes adjacent to the lower Coeur d’Alene River, he said.

Northern pike

The pike derby at Lake Coeur d’Alene last weekend ended Sunday with high winds that kept nearly all fishermen off the big lake, Smith said.

Pike fishing has been fair to good at the lake, with several pike in the 20-pound-plus class taken on calm days in shallow bays. Nearly all the pike have been caught in water that’s only 2 to 6 feet deep.

Indian lakes

North Twin Lake is ice-free, but the water was too cold after the ice melted for good fishing.

Strong winds Sunday stopped all but a few anglers from fishing the Twin lakes and Buffalo Lake. Resort managers said they believe fishing will pick up this weekend if the weather is fair.

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