coeur d'alene kokanee

[Stein]

We have a family reunion at a cabin near the lake and I want to get all the nephews and my niece on a few fish.  I did as much internet research as possible and it all sounded like any other lake, find a bay, troll slow and use the sonar to find the depth they are at.

I have a couple that are big die hard fishermen and we will be going out for the daylight bite.  The others will hit the afternoon or evening bite with some tube pulling between.  We are staying south west of the lake.

I'm no expert, but it seems like every lake has their preference in color and tackle - spinners, micro squid, small spoons, etc.

Any advice on locations that reliably hold fish the first week of August or what tackle or colors to start with?  We only have 2-3 days to fish so I'm looking at shortening the learning curve as much as possible.

Also, any tackle shops with good intel I can support?

Thanks in advance.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

What kind of set up are you planning on using?  Do you have down riggers or leaded line?

[Stein]

Two downriggers and then two lead droppers or divers or surface early.


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[Ridgeratt]

They could be fishing for the Chinook out infront or Harrison about that time of year.

Perhaps work the weed flats for a few northerns.

[Stein]

I saw that, I could bring gear for them but was thinking of focusing on higher probability fish?  I have no idea what the koke bite in August looks like.


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[Utah]

I saw that, I could bring gear for them but was thinking of focusing on higher probability fish?  I have no idea what the koke bite in August looks like.


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Yup kids just wanta catch fish.  So I hear there are Crappie? Or big perch?   Buddy just gave me a 1/4 bag of kokes outta dworshak.  Smoked.  My god they are good.  Wish I could be more helpful on CDA fish.  Good luck and enjoy!

[Huntin Hounds]

You will want downriggers for that time of year. The kokanee will be around 30-50' deep and you will see them on your sonar in large schools. Just about any color wedding ring or squid skirt works with maggots and they tend to move deeper as the day goes on. I kept my boat at blackrock marina for a couple years and usually just started trolling from there in rockford bay and around the points. The east side of the lake south of powderhorn was productive as well. Just about everywhere holds fish but the south end of the lake is way less busy with boat traffic. Still a pain to troll in the afternoon with how rough the water gets but not nearly as bad as the north end. The Chinook were in down years when we were there a few years ago and I never could figure them out. I've caught a couple here and there but caught more of the kokanee on the hoochies I was running. If you want to launch at sunup bay you better get there at first light or earlier on the weekends.

[teanawayslayer]

Don’t know about the silvers but mackenaw fishing used to be pretty good. But that was quite a few years ago.

[idaho guy]

Fins and feathers on Sherman is a good local shop. If Jeff the owner is there he is great on intel about lake Cda. He really likes the northern and bass fishing but would know exactly what’s working for Kokanee. It’s pretty easy to catch quite a few bass if you get sick of Kokanee or they’re not cooperating

[Stein]

You will want downriggers for that time of year. The kokanee will be around 30-50' deep and you will see them on your sonar in large schools. Just about any color wedding ring or squid skirt works with maggots and they tend to move deeper as the day goes on. I kept my boat at blackrock marina for a couple years and usually just started trolling from there in rockford bay and around the points. The east side of the lake south of powderhorn was productive as well. Just about everywhere holds fish but the south end of the lake is way less busy with boat traffic. Still a pain to troll in the afternoon with how rough the water gets but not nearly as bad as the north end. The Chinook were in down years when we were there a few years ago and I never could figure them out. I've caught a couple here and there but caught more of the kokanee on the hoochies I was running. If you want to launch at sunup bay you better get there at first light or earlier on the weekends.

Thanks, we're going to target mid week at daylight so we can get in some fishing before the ski boats show up for sure.  Thanks for the tips, just what we needed to help put together a plan.

I also saw that jigging might be an option on the north end, got a couple of spots to try, but again probably an early morning thing to avoid traffic.

[Stein]

Fins and feathers on Sherman is a good local shop. If Jeff the owner is there he is great on intel about lake Cda. He really likes the northern and bass fishing but would know exactly what’s working for Kokanee. It’s pretty easy to catch quite a few bass if you get sick of Kokanee or they’re not cooperating

Thanks, I'll swing in there and buy some gear and get some advice.  Honestly, it might not matter what we catch.  My son likes to eat fish but he chomps stocker rainbows with no seasoning like they are going out of style, so his taste buds aren't super refined.  I'll probably just ask them what's going well when we get there and at least be geared up for something else if we strike out on the Kokes.

From my experience, kids are more happy being able to get a bite every three minutes than waiting for a couple bites an hour for what we consider "better" fish.

[CastleRocker]

Nearly straight across the lake from Higgins Point boat launch, there is a cabin that my great uncle built just after WWII.  My folks bought it in '74.  From there, east to Moscow Bay is some good Kokanee fishing.   Troll slow, and if that doesn't work, slow down more.  Wedding band spinner baited will Green Giant white shoepeg corn, behind a gang spinners or
Sling blade flasher.  I used to troll it in a row boat, and loved catching way more than all those fancy boats with downriggers and such.  Remember,  they have REALLY soft mouths!

If no Kokanee, run on into the East end of Beauty Bay, or the North end of Blue Creek, and fish the weeds for Crappie, and Large Mouth.  Good luck, and have fun!

[Stein]

Cool, I want to try my hand at bass for sure.  My brother fishes them in Virginia but I haven’t.


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