by Roger Blackstone , April 28, 2014

Growing up around the Chinook salmon fishery in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho you see just how tough it can be to catch stubborn black mouths year round with consistency. As a youth, when the fish were introduced, I just didn't have the patience. In those years, (the early 80's) the Chinook were planted to control the Kokanee population. The fish thrived with many 30's and a few 40 plus lbs. caught.

People complained that you had to put in your 100 hours for the Big One and many anglers began to form a solid competitive spirit. In some of the early derbies, there were days when a 25 lb. fish wouldn't sniff a daily cash prize. Today, a 25 pound fish is a derby winner.

By 1990, a dedicated group of local anglers formed the Lake Coeur d’ Alene Anglers Association. The club motto, "Protect, Promote and Enhance" is why many club members serve.

The LCAA works closely with the Idaho Fish & Game to monitor the chinook population. For many years, the balance on Redd's was a hot topic. Fisher people want more fish, big fish & more big fish. IDFG wants balance. Working together we have done just that.

The two over 20" bag limit per person per day, along with the combination of reducing our Annual Big One Derby/tournament from 9 days to 4 1/2 days has had a good impact on our lake spawn fish (natives). If it wasn't for the lake spawn chinook, there would be no salmon fishery. For whatever reason, over the last 7 plus years the 20,000 annual Chinook stocking of hatchery fish hasn't worked. Even prior to that, the planters have had a real low survival rate to maturity.
A major concern is lake flooding with the spring run-off from the mountains. With current comes the natural desire for chinook to migrate. We speculate that the chinook most likely end up in the Spokane River & eventually over the damn into Lake Roosevelt. As you can see, balancing the fishery can be quite the task. The only way to ensure survival rate is to let go some of the fish you catch go. Keep a meal if you love to eat fish. Take one for the BBQ. Just don't forget the fish gods or fish karma. The lake only gives up so many Big Fish per year.

Keep that in mind when you start hearing those familiar names come Big One Derby Time. This year’s 30th Annual Big One Derby runs July 30, 31, Aug 1, 2, until noon Sunday the 3rd.

2012 "Big One" Derby Winner Mary Finley - 26.26 LBS

Over 300 fisher people tackle the lake for the opportunity to catch the elusive Big One. Our Association offers Adults & Youth divisions for daily and Top 10 cash & prizes. The fishery has been bouncing back and we expect another fabulous event this year. With the highest cash prizes in the Inland NW anglers come from all over to test their luck.
The summer brings the big ones as well as different fishing techniques. In the spring, the fish are shallow. This is when we fish the surface with planer boards, bait and plugs. By June we are starting to fish deeper with bait, plugs, hoochies, mini squids, & streamer flies like "Frisky Jenny" makes. This is also where we use 8" & 11" flashers and sometimes dodgers. Speed doesn't very that much between spring & summer. 1.6-1.8 knots is a good starting speed and you may adjust your lure presentation from there. The water temps are usually 40 plus degrees by mid-April and the summer temps just push the fish deeper. A good all-around depth is 50' in the summer throughout most of the lake. Follow your fish finder and GPS so that you learn the lake structure. There are rocky points, plateau's, mud flats and your occasional submerged log.

There is a lot to learn to trick the four year olds. I call the Top 10 our ten percent. Many of the folks that land in the Top 10 are local household names. Lots of people camp, spend their vacation time and pray for that big ripper to hit. Make sure to test your tackle before a fish does. Invest in a good quality mono like Maxima Ultra Green. It looks great in our water and it's available at our local tackle stores.
I have been targeting and logging thousands of hours on our lake since the spring of 1997. I have fish logs dating back to the first fish I ever caught. Even with all that data, I still don't have them figured out. They change a lot as they grow and hook up when you least expect it. They are fantastic to catch any time of year.

I recommend adding a trip to Coeur d’ Alene Lake to your bucket list. In the summer the Kokanee fishing helps pass the time for those that get frustrated with the elusive chinook.

For more info go to:
Lcaaidaho.com

Or contact LCAA Club Chairman
Roger Blackstone @ 208-755-4614
See you on the water,
FISH WHISPERER