Sandpoint/Ponderay, Idaho Fishing Report 06.08.18

Clark Fork River (ID)

Flows are currently 68,600 cubic feet per second. The river is still a little big and off color to start fishing. It won’t be too long before the Clark Fork becomes a fishable option.

Lake Pend Oreille

The lake is finally back to normal pool! I know this makes a lot of dock owners very happy. There is still a no wake restriction 500ft from shore, but the issue will be addressed this Friday, and probably removed shortly after. The Clark Fork is feeding the lake with stained water, so expect water visibility to be between 2-4ft. The further south you go, the cleaner the water will be. There is still a lot of debris floating around, so be very alert while boating. Surface water temperatures have been ranging from 59-72°.

Pike fishing has been great on warm days. I have found that when water temps are between 68-72°F, the pike bite is on. Usually the lake touches these temps between 10am-3pm. Fishing early on cold mornings have been pointless. Sleep in, make a lumberjack breakfast, and pound the sloughs and bays. They should be hunting in depths between 4-8ft with 1-3ft weeds to hide in. If you are not finding weeds, you are not finding pike. The northerns are more than willing to come up and eat a popper, so don’t leave your floating line at home. However, a fast sinking line is the way to go when fishing anything deeper than 5 feet. With the water off color, you really need to put that fly in their face. Use flies like red Jacknife, chartreuse Pike Slider, or Tinsel Town.

Bass fishing has been awesome. The shorelines are loaded with 1-2lb smallmouth. If it is the 3+lb smallies you are after, try fishing a little deeper near drop-offs and submerged boulders. The bigger bass are still around, you will just have to trust your sonar to find them. Try floating line with a popper off docks or fallen trees. The best chance for success is with fast sinking line and flies like #1 Jiggy Worm, #2 Belly Scratcher (Bluegill), or #2 blue/white Deceiver.

Lake Cocolalla

Water visibility is between 4-5 feet. This is great visibility for Coco. As the summer heats up, visibility will become worse and worse. The bass and crappie are up against docks in 2-6ft of water. Frog pattern poppers work well on this lake for big largies. If you aim to target trout, concentrate your time fishing the drop-offs with Intermediate or Type III sink fly line. Flies like rust Baby Gonga, #6 CH Krystal Bugger, and #10 black Woolly Bugger will do the trick.

Kootenai River

The river is currently flowing big at 23,000 cfs. However, water clarity isn’t bad. Expect anywhere from 2-4ft of water visibility. Fish the slower runs, and large circulating eddies. Nymphing will be your best chance of success. Bring your 6-weight, use a 9ft 4X leader, and tie on a couple nymphs like #8 Pat’s Rubberlegs, #12 Dirty Bird, #14 Formerly Prince, and #16 Crust Nymph PMD. There won’t be much in terms of hatches. The occasional caddis or black ant will make its way to the river’s surface, but baetis and midges will be your primary hatches. If the trout are looking up, a #10 pink Hippie Stomper, #12 Purple Haze, #12 red PMX, or #10 purple J Slam will generate ferocious takes. If you are fishing for the trout at the top of the food chain, swing or strip a #2 white Home Invader or #4 Sparkle Minnow.

See past reports from the Sandpoint/Ponderay area here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.