Sandpoint/Ponderay, Idaho Fishing Report 05.31.18
Clark Fork River (ID)
The river has been bouncing around between 100,000-110,000 cubic feet per second. About the only thing you can do at this point is take pictures. This river is too high and dangerous to fish from shore or in a boat. Expect it to stay this way for the next couple weeks.
Lake Pend Oreille
The lake is currently 1.7 feet above normal pool, but is projected to slowly start dropping sometime this week. There is a no wake restriction 500 feet from shore and that will not be lifted until the lake drops. Water clarity is 2-4 feet depending on where you are. Surface water temps range from about 62-72°F. Be cautious when boating around the lake; there is a lot of debris in the water, and large logs can be barely submerged below the surface. I have heard of a couple people getting dents and one lost transducer just this week .
Pike fishing has been great. The majority of northerns seem to be in 4-8 feet of water in sloughs and bays. The best time of day for me has been from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are willing to come up and eat a popper right now, so don’t leave your floating line at home. Fast-sinking line with a bright 10-inch streamer has been most productive. I personally always fish a fly variation of a red Jackknife.
The big hen smallmouth have left the beds for the most part, and the shorelines are loaded with 1-2 pound males guarding the nests. Streamers, like a #2 chartreuse Clouser, a 2/0 Hud’s Bushwacker, or a #1 Jiggy Worm, will do the trick when fished using fast-sinking line. Smallmouth are willing to eat poppers right now, so don’t miss out on the late-evening chaos.
Lake Cocolalla
Water clarity is still between 2-3 feet. Fishing has been best in the mornings and evenings with an intermediate-sink line. Try using flies like a #6 Thinmint, a #6 CH Krystal Bugger, a rust Baby Gonga, or a #8 purple Balanced Leech. As water temps warm, the trout move to deeper water.
Kootenai River
Discharge out of Libby Dam is 19,900 cfs. The river is still pretty big, but water clarity isn’t too bad. Expect to see a slight stain to the water, especially as you near rivermouths. Big bugs with a 18-inch dropper have been an excellent way to fish this river. Try dries like, a #10 purple Chubby Chernobbyl, a #12 red Parachute PMX, a #10 pink Hippie Stomper, and a #14 purple Parachute. As far as nymphs, tie on a #8 Pat’s Rubberlegs, a #12 red Copper John, or a #12 Dirty Bird. Streamers, like the Articulated Sparkle Minnow, will be an excellent choice if you prefer to hunt instead of fish.
See past reports from the Sandpoint/Ponderay area here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.