Idaho Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Idaho.
American Falls Reservoir
Lake Cascade
Coeur d'Alene Lake
Dworshak Reservoir
Palisades Reservoir
Lake Pend Oreille
Priest Lake
More Idaho lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Coeur d'Alene LakeKootenai & Benewah Counties · 27,911 acres
Coeur d'Alene Lake
Coeur d'Alene Lake stretches 26 miles south from the city of Coeur d'Alene in the Idaho Panhandle. It is known for bass fishing, northern pike, and Chinook salmon and kokanee in open water.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Flip and pitch shallow cover and use frogs in summer in the grassy south end.
Smallmouth Bass
Fish finesse baits in the deeper, rocky north and middle parts of the lake.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Chinook Salmon
Deep, cold water. Trolled spoons and flies.
Kokanee
Landlocked sockeye. Troll small dodgers and hoochies in summer.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Mineral Ridge Boat LaunchPublicBLM launch on Wolf Lodge Bay off I-90 east of Coeur d'AleneDirections ↗
- Harrison Boat LaunchFeeKootenai County launch in Harrison at the south end; county pass or daily feeDirections ↗
- Carlin Bay Boat LaunchFeeKootenai County launch, 33911 S Hwy 97, Harrison; fee, restrooms and pump-outDirections ↗
- Mica Bay Boat LaunchFeeKootenai County launch, 8340 S Tall Pines Rd; county pass or daily feeDirections ↗
- Rockford Bay Boat LaunchFreeKootenai County launch on the west shore; no fee at this timeDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee Idaho Fish & Game or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout Trout limit 6; no harvest of cutthroat trout; other species not confirmed | See Idaho rules book ↗ | 6 / day combined |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Idaho Department of Fish and Game ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Fins & Feathers Tackle ShopNearby1816 E Sherman Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID(208) 667-9304Directions ↗
- Becker's Tackle ShopNearby174 E Neider Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID(208) 667-2277Directions ↗
Local tips
- For largemouth, try the shallow grassy water near Harrison and the Chain Lakes off the Coeur d'Alene River.
- The bass spawn can run into July here because water temperatures vary so much around the lake.
- Public ramps include Coeur d'Alene, Higgens Point, Mica Bay and Sun Up Bay.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
Dworshak ReservoirClearwater County · 17,090 acres
Dworshak Reservoir
A long, deep canyon reservoir on the North Fork Clearwater River near Orofino, stretching about 53 miles upstream from Dworshak Dam. It is known for kokanee and smallmouth bass, both now self-sustaining.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Kokanee
Troll pop gear like dodgers or fenders with wedding rings 25 to 40 feet down, mostly between the dam and Dent Bridge. Glow jigs work at night.
Smallmouth Bass
Rubber jigs and tubes along steep, rocky shorelines and points.
Rainbow Trout
IDFG stocks catchable rainbows in spring near the Dent, Big Eddy and Canyon Creek ramps.
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Big Eddy MarinaMarinaMarina with seasonal slips, fuel and a store, part of Dworshak State ParkDirections ↗
- Dworshak State Park (Freeman Creek)FeeIdaho state park ramp and dock with a fish-cleaning station and campgroundDirections ↗
- Dent AcresPublicUSACE recreation area with ramp and campgroundDirections ↗
- Bruce's EddyPublicUSACE ramp near the damDirections ↗
- Canyon CreekPublicRamp on the upper reservoir, hard to reach with large trailersDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Dworshak Reservoir are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Idaho Department of Fish and Game ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Dworshak Reservoir ↗Local tips
- The reservoir is drawn down as much as 155 feet from fall through early spring, and many ramps are out of the water for months.
- Water peaks around early summer; check USACE ramp status before you trailer in.
- Over 70 mini-camps along the shore are reachable by boat for overnight trips.
Lake CascadeValley County · 27,150 acres
Lake Cascade
A large, shallow Bureau of Reclamation reservoir on the North Fork Payette River near the town of Cascade in west-central Idaho. It is best known for jumbo yellow perch, especially through the ice, plus trout, smallmouth bass and some kokanee and coho.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Yellow Perch
The marquee fish. Perch catch rates in 2024 were the best since the early 2010s. Jigs tipped with worms, maggots or bloodworms, often through the ice.
Rainbow Trout
Wild and hatchery fish. Often caught about a foot below the ice in winter; trolling or bank bait in open water.
Smallmouth Bass
Rocky bottoms near shore. Fish over 19 inches turn up in surveys.
Coho Salmon
Occasional catches, often through the ice near the surface.
Kokanee
Present in surveys; most often caught shallow under the ice or trolling in open water.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Poison CreekFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dock; camping; ice access, best for trailersDirections ↗
- Boulder CreekFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dock; ice accessDirections ↗
- Van WyckFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dock; first-come campingDirections ↗
- Blue HeronFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dock; first-come campingDirections ↗
- SugarloafFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dockDirections ↗
- ButtercupFeeLake Cascade State Park ramp and dockDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Cascade are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Idaho Department of Fish and Game ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Tackle Tom'sNearby304 N Main Street, Cascade(208) 382-4367Directions ↗
Local tips
- State park units charge a $7 daily vehicle fee unless you have an Idaho State Parks Passport or annual pass.
- Ice thickness varies across the lake and is often thinner mid-lake; IDFG suggests checking with local tackle shops for conditions.
- Cascade has a reputation for being fickle; since it is shallow, bank fishing with bait can be as good as trolling.
Palisades ReservoirBonneville County, ID & Lincoln County, WY · 16,100 acres
Palisades Reservoir
A Bureau of Reclamation reservoir on the South Fork Snake River along the Idaho-Wyoming border, reaching up toward Alpine, Wyoming. It is known for cutthroat and brown trout, kokanee and lake trout in a mountain setting.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Cutthroat Trout
Fish near the river and creek inlets where cool water enters, especially in spring and fall.
Kokanee
Troll small spinners or pop gear behind dodgers in open water in summer, going deeper as it warms.
Brown Trout
Cast or troll stickbaits near inlets and along rocky banks at low light, best in fall.
Lake Trout
Mackinaw hold deep in the main basin. Jig or troll near bottom.
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- McCoy Creek boat rampPublicCaribou-Targhee National Forest ramp for motorized boatsDirections ↗
- Big Elk Creek Boating SitePublicForest Service site on an inlet arm, motorized and non-motorized useDirections ↗
- Alpine Boat LandingPublicForest Service landing two miles west of Alpine, WY, off Highway 26 at the southeast endDirections ↗
- Blowout CanyonCarry-inNon-motorized put-in for kayaks, canoes and paddleboardsDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Palisades Reservoir are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Idaho Department of Fish and Game ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Palisades Reservoir ↗Local tips
- Water levels fall through late summer as Reclamation releases irrigation water, and some ramps close at low water or in winter.
- Afternoon wind can build big waves on the open basin; small boats should stay near shore.
- The reservoir crosses into Wyoming near Alpine, so carry the right license for where you fish.
Priest LakeBonner County · 23,335 acres
Priest Lake
A deep, clear lake in the Selkirk Mountains of the Idaho Panhandle, about 19 miles long and 80 miles northeast of Spokane. It is known for lake trout, including a former U.S. record, plus smallmouth bass and cutthroat trout.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Lake Trout
Best catch rates on the lake. Limits of 16 to 22 inch fish are common; jig or troll deep structure.
Smallmouth Bass
Rocky shorelines and points in late spring and summer.
Cutthroat Trout
Harvest is tightly limited. Upper Priest Lake is catch-and-release for cutthroat and bull trout.
Kokanee
Lower numbers than nearby Pend Oreille because of abundant lake trout. Troll in summer.
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Kalispell Bay Boat LaunchFeeUSFS. Dock, vault toilets, no drinking water; $10 per vehicle per day, day use onlyDirections ↗
- Indian CreekFeePriest Lake State Park launch; feeDirections ↗
- CoolinPublicBonner County launch at the south end; not advised at low poolDirections ↗
- Priest Lake MarinaMarinaPrivate marina next to the Kalispell Bay launchDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Trout Only 2 may be cutthroat trout | No cutthroat under 16 in | 6 / day |
| Kokanee Priest Lake special rule | See Idaho rules book ↗ | 6 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Idaho Department of Fish and Game ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Priest Lake ↗Local tips
- Some county launches are not usable at low fall pool; use Kalispell Bay or the state park when levels drop.
- Upper Priest Lake, reached through The Thorofare, is catch-and-release for cutthroat and bull trout.
- Eurasian milfoil has been found here; clean, drain and dry your boat.