North Idaho Fishing

Northern Idaho is an angler’s paradise. Waters from this region have yielded one-third of the state’s record fish. The world record rainbow trout (37 pounds) was caught in Lake Pend Oreille. The state record northern pike (38 lb 9 oz) and chinook salmon (42 pounds) come from Lake Coeur d’Alene while a lake trout exceeding 57 pounds was caught in Priest Lake. Idaho is the only inland western state with ocean-run salmon (state record 54 lbs) and steelhead (record 30 lbs 2 oz.)

Lake and river elevations in the Panhandle range from 2,100 at Priest River to 8,643 at Needle Peak. The rugged mountains of Idaho contain more than 1,500 high mountain lakes with good trout fishing. Most of Idaho fishing waters are located in the public domain and are open to the public with free access.

Lake Coeur d’Alene is known for its large kokanee and chinook salmon. Large and small mouth bass, northern pike, rainbow trout, and mackinaw are also plentiful. Many bass tournaments are held each year on the lake. Northern pike are generally the first species to become active in the spring. Fernan, Twin, Spirit and Hayden lakes all provide northern pike fishing. Due to historic low numbers, cutthroat trout are now catch-and-release in the Spokane River drainage (Spokane River above Post Falls Dam, Coeur d’Alene Lake and all tributary streams.)

Rainbow and lake trout; small and large mouth bass, and lake whitefish are plentiful on Lake Pend Oreille. Kokanee once provided half the entire sport fishery in the lake with over 1 million harvested yearly. They also provide forage to grow world class rainbow and bull trout but there are no longer enough kokanee to feed them. Harvesting bull trout or kokanee is now illegal. Through March 2010, lake trout of any size and rainbow trout more than 13” long from Lake Pend Oreille are eligible for a $15 cash reward. www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/fish/misc/pendoreille_cash.cfm

Shoshone County has world class blue ribbon fishing streams such as the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene, St. Joe and Clear Water Rivers. There are approximately 50 alpine lakes-many with cutthroat, rainbow and brook trout.

In the Panhandle Region there are a limited number of large rivers that remain open year round, including the Kootenai River, Pend Oreille River, Priest River, Clark Fork River above the railroad bridge at Clark Fork, and the slack water portions of the St. Joe and St. Maries rivers. The more traditional “trout fishing” type rivers that most anglers think about are managed with the general stream and river season of Memorial Day Saturday through November 30.

For anglers wanting additional information on lake trout and rainbow fishing techniques, two DVDs are available; “Reliable Methods of Catching Lake Trout on Lake Pend Oreille” and “Catch a Kam with Captain Ken”. Loaner copies are available at area libraries and at the Idaho Fish and Game Regional office in Coeur d’Alene.

Large outdoor sporting goods retailers as well as charter fishing companies and guided outfitters can help you plan your trip. See ioga.idaho.gov for a list of all licensed Idaho outfitters and guides.

Family Fishing Areas

All family fishing areas have year ‘round seasons, general six-fish limits for trout and bass (no limits on other species), no length limits and any standard fishing gear may be used. Some lakes are restricted to electric motors only.

• Round Lake-Sandpoint: Hwy 95 to Dufort Road to Round Lake State Park.
• Bull Moose Lake-Priest Lake: Hwy 57 from Priest River, east to Coolin then north.
• Kelso Lake-Athol: Hwy 95 three miles north of Athol, Granite Lake/Kelso Lake turnoff to west.
• Falls Park Pond-Post Falls: Spokane St. exit off I-90, 1/2 block to 4th St., two blocks west.
• Lower Glidden Lake-Wallace: East on I-90 to Wallace and Canyon Creek exit, Cooper Pass/Burke Summit.
• Elsie Lake-Kellogg: I-90 east to Big Creek exit, Big Creek Road, south to top of mountain.
• Fernan Lake-Coeur d’Alene: I-90 Sherman St. exit, one block at east end of Sherman Ave.

 

For a complete listing of family fishing waters in the panhandle visit www.fishandgame.idaho.gov

Fish in the Freeze

Bundling up and heading out to North Idaho lakes in the middle of winter is a popular pastime for the hardiest of fishing enthusiasts. Standard ice fishing equipment includes an auger for drilling through the ice, a bucket for hauling home the catch, a Thermos of hot chocolate or coffee, a chair and patience. Smaller lakes in the panhandle are most likely to be frozen at safe levels by mid-January. Two popular ice fishing lakes are Fernan in Coeur d’Alene and the north end of Hayden Lake.

Fishing Tournaments

• April-May:  Spring Fishing Derby, Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club. 264-5796
• June:  North Idaho Free Fishing Day
• June-July:  Panhandle Bass Anglers Tournament
• June:  Harrison Annual Kids Fishing Tournament
• August:  American Bass Tournament, Lake Pend Oreille. 659-8227
• November:  Thanksgiving Fishing Derby, Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club. 263-0424

Department of Fish and Game

• Coeur d'Alene Regional Headquarters  (208)769-1414
• Bonners Ferry  (208)267-7629
• Clark Fork  (208)266-1501
• Kellogg  (208)682-4674
• Moyie Springs  (208)267-7629
• Naples  (208)267-4085
• Priest River  (208)448-2302
• Rathdrum  (208)265-8320
• Sagle  (208)265-8320
• Sandpoint  (208)265-8835
• St. Maries  (208)245-8100
• Wallace  (208)556-1513

 

Hunting and fishing license information

Idaho Panhandle National Forest

www.fs.fed.us/ipnf

Supervisors Office

3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene
(208)765-7223
North of I-90, between Hwy 95 and Ramsey Rd off Kathleen Ave

Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District - Fernan Office

2502 E. Sherman Ave, Coeur d'Alene
(208)769-3000
East of I-90 at exit 15

Priest Lake Ranger District

32203 Hwy. 57, Priest River
(208)443-2512
On St. Hwy. 57, mile post 32, 3 miles south of Nordman

Bonners Ferry Ranger District

6286 Main St.,  Bonners Ferry
(208)267-5561
1 mile south of Bonners Ferry on Hwy 95

Sandpoint Ranger District

1500 Hwy 2, #110, Sandpoint
(208)263-5111
West edge of Sandpoint on Hwy 2

Silver Valley Office

173 Commerce Dr, Smelterville
(208)783-2100
South of I-90 at exit 48

St. Joe Ranger District

St. Maries Office
222 S 7th St, #1
(208)245-2531
Federal Building in downtown St. Maries

Avery Office
(208)245-4517
6 miles west of Avery on Forest Hw. 50 (St Joe River Rd)

Clarkia Office
54495 Hwy 3
(208)245-1134
1 mile south of Clarkia on Hwy 3

Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2010 is the 8th year Ironman triathletes will come from around the world to compete in this qualifier for the World Ironman Championship in Kona.  IM CDA is on June 27 this year.  Here's the start at City Beach on lake Coeur d'Alene.  The field has been set but volunteers are always welcome.  Sign up here.

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