NF CDA - Improving Conditions

Improving daily.

Big improvements since last week over on the North Fork Coeur d'Alene River and St. Joe Rivers. Runoff hit hard and fast and while it's not over still it appears that a bulk of the snow has already came off.

Mike took a drive up the NF Coeur d'Alene River on Sunday and said conditions were definitely improving. The river color was more green and levels dropping nicely. The whole river system is still very full of water and fishing spots are super limited if not non-existent. Do exercise extreme caution and remember the fish are generally along the banks, eddies, side channels, and backwater areas where they can get some relief from heavier flows. So no real need to wade into the river.

The million dollar question has been answered... how high can you go?! Pretty much wherever you want. Mike drove up to mile 49 where the NF CDA splits off and heads to Jordan Creek, and noted you can go further no problem. There is still some snow but it should melt off this week. The high elevation peaks still are carrying snow and I would suspect Fernan Saddle is probably not passable yet as it is not passable most years until it's closer to Memorial Day weekend.

No direct reports from the St. Joe River, but levels indicate quite a bit of improvement, though there will probably be some pushes of runoff here still since this area typically has more snowpack and is a larger drainage.