Lake kings...

Need a little info from you salmon guys.I live near Coeur D' Alene lake here in Idaho. The lake holds king salmon in catchable numbers.

I grew up on Puget Sound and fished for salmon for over fifty years with good luck before retiring to Idaho. I fish the lake a lot for smallies and pike but never tried for the local salmon.

A few days ago I was out in the lake in front of the Coeur D'Alene river mouth and noticed a lot of salmon jumping, I guess they are getting ready to head up the river for  spawning.

My question is will the salmon bite the usual salmon baits and lures this time of the year when ready to head up the river. And if they are jumping will they be shallow or deep as during the summer?

Just doesn't seem right to be fishing for chromies in a lake 500 miles from salt water and no tides or eel grass...lol..What would you guys be using on a lake like this?

would probing through great lakes info help? Both fresh water fisheries. How big are the salmon there?

They seem to run from a few lbs to over 25 lbs. They are landlocked, born in the river, live in the lake  and die in the river, main food source is koke's (bluebacks) most seem to 5 to 12 lbs

I have picked up a few casting plugs for smallies over the years  and that's when you find out you little smallie net is way to small..lol..

That seems like a blast on bass tackle.I would guess just trolling a spoon or herring would work.I have watched on tv that in lake Michigan they toss gulp jerk baits on jigheads and throw stickbaits like deep husky jerks and such when they stage In bays or river mouths.I might have to try this fishery some day.

http://www.fins1.com/chinook.htm. here's a site that I found with some info on the lake Chinook.