If you are like me you have had to cancel some fishing plans due to weather. Even though it was going to be rough, I went out on Moses Lake last week. I have some trips planned for next week and I am going rain or shine! It’s time to catch some fish! I hope everything works out for those who have a big Memorial weekend planned.
The forecast was for a cold and windy day last Friday, but my buddy James Lebow agreed to take Tom Verschuren and me out for a morning of walleye fishing. We launched at Peninsula Park and ran up to an area below I-90 that is one of James’ favorites. I was with him last year when we boated a very good catch of walleye here. However, all we could catch on this day was smallmouth bass. We left this area and trolled down lake in the direction of Montlake Park, to another spot that has been productive in the past. Once again, the walleye eluded us and we caught smallmouth bass, catfish and one large perch. We reeled in several times to find our worms bitten off just below the hook. I had insisted that we bring bass tackle along, and since we were near Gailey Island James navigated close to shore with the bow mount. This wasn’t easy with the wind, but we all landed nice smallmouth bass casting Brush Hogs and Zoom lizards. The watermelon with red flake always works for me. If I fish Moses Lake, Potholes or Banks right now, I will take my bass gear along. This week’s photo is of Tom Verschuren and his biggest smallmouth bass.
The work to restore the Blackbird Island Juvenile Fishing Pond is continuing, with a major effort to clear debris last weekend, and Stein in Leavenworth will be hosting a silent auction on Wednesday, the 27th, from 5:00–7:00 PM. They are currently gathering donations from local businesses, guides, and community partners to help make the event a success. They will be reaching out to organizations and individuals directly, and I would appreciate it if everyone could also put their feelers out for anyone who may be interested in contributing to the cause. Whether it’s donated gear, gift certificates, services, experiences, or other auction items, every contribution helps. Please feel free to share my contact information with anyone who might be willing to support the event. Big shout out to Icicle Brewing for donating a keg! Beyond fundraising, this also feels like a great opportunity for this awesome group to connect in person, put faces to names, strengthen existing relationships, and build new ones within our outdoor community. Hopefully, it can serve as the start of lasting partnerships and collaborations that continue to benefit all of us who deeply enjoy the outdoors in our region. Call Chris Giles, Stein Beer Hall, 509-705-8207 to help out.
A few years ago, I got the chance to fish Lake Coeur d’ Alene. My wife and I had visited the town several times, but I had never been out on the water. My brother in law had arranged for a house on the lake with a dock, so I pulled my boat over for our time there. After getting settled in, we had time to jump in the boat before it got too dark, and I got everything rigged up for kokanee fishing. I didn’t even know where to start on the big lake, but when we pulled out of the bay we were staying in I saw a fleet of boats. I put out my tried and true Kokabow blades and spinners and we were into fish in no time. We had a blast landing big kokanee until it was time to head in for dinner. We went back the next year, and the kokanee were small, so we didn’t spend much time fishing for them. I plan to get back to Coeur d’ Alene and several other lakes in the area this summer. You should check out my Facebook page and follow me, as I start posting what I learn about Idaho fishing.
There’s good news for fans of fishing for spring salmon. Adjustments have been made to the season on the mainstem Columbia River and on the Snake. According to the WDFW this extends spring Chinook seasons in the mainstem Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point upstream to Bonneville Dam (six retention days) and from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Washington/Oregon border (five retention days). Also, an update was provided to the 2026 Columbia River return of upriver spring Chinook salmon. While the update is slightly below the preseason forecast, the removal of the 30% buffer increased the quota for the Snake River fishery. The new quota will allow for opportunity at Little Goose through May 19 and two days of fishing below Ice Harbor dam. Another spring salmon season to keep an eye on is the one for the Icicle River at Leavenworth. Although most of the springers turn up the Snake after passing over McNary, many are moving upstream and anglers are watching the dam counts closely with hope for an announcement that would open the Icicle.
If you use the Vernita Access Area in Grant County, please know that WDFW is doing work to improve the gravel access road to the day use area nearest to the Vernita Bridge road from May 11 - 15. Both boat launches are still available for use, but please slow down and give workers room to do their job. If you’re planning for fall salmon fishing on the Columbia River, please remember Vernita is now a day-use only site. Overnight camping is no longer allowed. WDFW is also working on plans for future improvements including a developed boat launch, designated parking area, and restroom.
I want to remind everyone that there is a new “Mission” in the Rufus Woods Roundup fishing contest. The longest fish entered through May 26th will win a $50 gift certificate. Also, the Mission is to show what bait or lure you caught your submitted fish with. The winner will be randomly selected, and the more lure and bait submissions you enter the better your chances to win. You can learn more about the Rufus Woods Roundup by going to: www.angleratlas.com/event/902.
