FISHING -- Although this week's thaw is cause for caution, the recent cold snap paved the way for ice fishing.

Anglers should check regulations closely not only for general winter rules and bag restrictions but also for rules that may vary from water to water and state to state.

• Washington allows winter fishing in its numerous year-round mixed-species fisheries as well as at several winter-only trout lakes such as Hog Canyon and Fourth of July. Fishing licenses purchased in 2014 are valid through March 31.
• Idaho allows winter fishing in most Panhandle lakes, including Cocolalla, Fernan, Hauser, Avondale, Upper Twin and Rose. Fishing licenses are issued on a calendar year, so new licenses were required starting Jan. 1.

The number of rods one can fish through the ice varies:

• In Washington, anglers may not fish with a rod that's not under their immediate control,
  or leave their gear unattended. Anglers are restricted to one rod unless that angler possesses a two pole endorsement and the lake being fished allows two poles.   Winter-only fishing lakes in the Spokane area (Hog Canyon and Fourth of July) allow two poles for those possessing a two-pole endorsement.  Other lakes do, too, but not all of them. Check the regulations pamphlet for each lake. Those lakes where two poles are not allowed are marked as such with an emblem showing two crossed fishing poles with the word NO above it (all highlighted in yellow).
• In most of Idaho, there are no restrictions on the number of holes, but an angler can fish with up to five poles or lines at a time, and up to five hooks per line. The fishing setups must be attended.

The size of the hole one can cut in the ice is restricted for safety.  Washington recommends an 8-inch maximum diameter while Idaho restricts anglers to 10 inches or less.  The Priest Lake mackinaw (above) is an example of why a 10-inch hole might be handy in Idaho, but in practices, most of the region's winter fish can easily be landed through an 8-inch hole.

Ice thickness required for safety varies by conditions.  According to Idaho Fish and Game, a minimum of three inches of clear, blue ice (preferably four inches), will support a single angler, and five inches will hold several anglers in single file. Slush ice is only about half as strong as clear ice. Freeze-thaw cycles and water movement, no matter how slight, retard safe freezing and speeds thawing. 

Tips for catching fish through the ice in area lakes from Idaho Fish and Game include:

• For yellow perch and other panfish, auger a few holes until you find a spot about 20-25 feet deep and fish just above the bottom using maggots, cut bait or black maribou jigs.  Occasional movement of your bait or lure will trigger strikes.  
• Trout anglers often will do better with their bait suspended in the water column rather than just above the bottom. Ice fishing for trout is often better in shallower water along shorelines. Try several depths until you find trout.  Any type of the bait additives adding scent or color will likely improve your success.

Top North Idaho winter fisheries recommended by IFG spokesman Phil Cooper include:

• Medicine, Killarney, or Coeur d’Alene (when well frozen) for pike. 
• Hayden Lake's shallow bays with lots of weed growth are also productive for pike. Use smelt or herring 3-4 feet below the ice.
• Spirit Lake for kokanee in the very early morning, when ice conditions permit. Kokanee live in schools, so look for anglers catching fish.  Without crowding other anglers, auger a hole nearby.  Use a bead chain with a maggot tipped glow hook.  

Finding timely information on ice conditions is difficult, although one website is useful in getting fairly timely info from ice anglers. No agencies offer the information because of lack of staff and their inability to keep up with constantly changing conditions.