Summers in North Idaho are typically hot and sunny, so many people, locals and tourists alike, head to Lake Coeur d’Alene to cool off and have some fun in the sun. Personally, I prefer the low key atmosphere of Hayden Lake.Now, don’t get me wrong. Lucy and I enjoy a good stroll along the boardwalk and Lake Coeur d’Alene is magnificent, but on a lazy Saturday afternoon, there’s nothing like slipping on your flip flops, grabbing your kids, your dog, and some ice cream bars and heading to Hayden Lake for a swim.
The boys coaxed the puppy into the water for her very first swim! Wow! Good girl, Lucy!
It was short lived though. She spent the rest of the afternoon with her wet, muddy head on my lap watching Andrew and his friend jump from a tree, swing out on a rope, and fall into the lake. Ahhh...the dog days of summer.
Haven't been to Hayden Lake. Looks like a beautiful place to visit. Congrats to the young man swinging out and into the water. I am not sure my ol' body would handle that anymore!
Hi Kim! I just ran across your blog, hope to see some fishing articles from you and the family sometime soon since you're a neighbor of mine! Hayden is a great area, glad to see you guys getting a chance to soak up the sun!
Mel, that's my 15 yr. old son, Andrew, on the rope swing. Hayden Lake really is beautiful. I love the quiet dirt road that leads to that rope swing. It's becoming more popular though. Can you hear the commentators in the background of the video?
Daniel, I really want my boys to catch some fish this summer, and I know that Idaho is known for its great fishing. Can you suggest a place where we might have some luck?
Hayden is actually a very productive lake. Most lakes in our region have many different species, so that's your first decision.
As you probably know, there are so many lakes in Washington and Idaho that it can be overwhelming.
Here's a great link for you and your family. Click on the region that you would like to fish, and hit search. It will then bring up a list of all the lakes in the region you chose, and each lake lists the dominant fish that can be caught.
Daniel, I think you have to have caught something at some point to have a fishing preference. When I was a kid, I did a little ocean fishing with my parents, and I did catch a trout once in my grandpa's pond in Victor, Montana, but that's about it. Every time I've gone fishing over the last 25 years (3 times?) no one caught anything. Maybe I'm not patient enough for this sport...I'm going to try again, though. Thank you for that great link. Fernan Lake is so beautiful. Maybe I'll drag my boys over there this weekend. After looking at your link, I now know enough to say that I'm fishing for Cutthroat Trout, but, just between you and me, I'll be thrilled if we catch anything. What kind of bait should we use?
Either live bait (worms, maggots, etc) or lures such as spinners, flies, and spoons.
If you have a boat, trolling and casting are both options. If you're just fishing from the bank, then you should also pick up some weights just to make sure you can get your lure/bait out into the water if the lures are too light.
I'll post some links to some products to give you an idea. As always, you can visit a local tackle store and talk to the employees; they will most often give you some great tips for your specific area ;)Make sure to try different colors, and just have fun!
Spinners (With or without rooster tail, a.k.a. hair) http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_46137_100006002_100000000_100006000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_SEARCH
Thanks Daniel! We're planning to fish from the bank at Fernan Lake tomorrow morning. I did pick up some weights, like you suggested, and I also bought some barbed collar jig heads and some custom baits that Josh at Black Sheep in Coeur d'Alene recommended. Thanks for all the great information and advice. I might just know enough to be dangerous now. Look out fish! Here we come!
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Haven't been to Hayden Lake. Looks like a beautiful place to visit. Congrats to the young man swinging out and into the water. I am not sure my ol' body would handle that anymore!
ReplyDeleteWe love going to Hayden Lake as a family, much more relaxing the CDA Lake anymore. Your puppy is very cute.
ReplyDeleteBill C
Hi Kim! I just ran across your blog, hope to see some fishing articles from you and the family sometime soon since you're a neighbor of mine! Hayden is a great area, glad to see you guys getting a chance to soak up the sun!
ReplyDelete-Spokane Bass Fishing
Mel, that's my 15 yr. old son, Andrew, on the rope swing. Hayden Lake really is beautiful. I love the quiet dirt road that leads to that rope swing. It's becoming more popular though. Can you hear the commentators in the background of the video?
ReplyDeleteDaniel, I really want my boys to catch some fish this summer, and I know that Idaho is known for its great fishing. Can you suggest a place where we might have some luck?
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteHayden is actually a very productive lake. Most lakes in our region have many different species, so that's your first decision.
As you probably know, there are so many lakes in Washington and Idaho that it can be overwhelming.
Here's a great link for you and your family. Click on the region that you would like to fish, and hit search. It will then bring up a list of all the lakes in the region you chose, and each lake lists the dominant fish that can be caught.
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingplanner/MainQuery.aspx?qt=0
Last but not least, what kind of fishing do you prefer? Trout, Bass, Pike, Walleye?
Daniel, I think you have to have caught something at some point to have a fishing preference. When I was a kid, I did a little ocean fishing with my parents, and I did catch a trout once in my grandpa's pond in Victor, Montana, but that's about it. Every time I've gone fishing over the last 25 years (3 times?) no one caught anything. Maybe I'm not patient enough for this sport...I'm going to try again, though. Thank you for that great link. Fernan Lake is so beautiful. Maybe I'll drag my boys over there this weekend. After looking at your link, I now know enough to say that I'm fishing for Cutthroat Trout, but, just between you and me, I'll be thrilled if we catch anything. What kind of bait should we use?
ReplyDeleteEither live bait (worms, maggots, etc) or lures such as spinners, flies, and spoons.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a boat, trolling and casting are both options. If you're just fishing from the bank, then you should also pick up some weights just to make sure you can get your lure/bait out into the water if the lures are too light.
I'll post some links to some products to give you an idea. As always, you can visit a local tackle store and talk to the employees; they will most often give you some great tips for your specific area ;)Make sure to try different colors, and just have fun!
Spinners (With or without rooster tail, a.k.a. hair)
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_46137_100006002_100000000_100006000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_SEARCH
Flies
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10200628____SearchResults
Spoons
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_2918____SearchResults
Powerbait
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_46164____SearchResults
Thanks Daniel! We're planning to fish from the bank at Fernan Lake tomorrow morning. I did pick up some weights, like you suggested, and I also bought some barbed collar jig heads and some custom baits that Josh at Black Sheep in Coeur d'Alene recommended. Thanks for all the great information and advice. I might just know enough to be dangerous now. Look out fish! Here we come!
ReplyDelete