Visitor Center Activities Recreational Fishing
Go to the IPNF Visitor Center for a full listing of sections and topics on this website. Search our site Search the USFS Ask a question Make a comment			Fishing for lake trout on Priest Lake RECREATIONAL FISHING ON THE IPNF Fishing opportunities abound on and near lands managed by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The number and diversity of lakes and streams provide challenges to anglers no matter their quarry or skill level. The most popular type of fishing in North Idaho is trout, but warm water fish species are also common. LAKE FISHING North Idaho is probably best known for its three large lakes: Priest, Pend Oreille, and Coeur d'Alene. Each lake is capable of producing large fish. The world record rainbow trout (37 pounds) was caught in Lake Pend Oreille. Even bigger fish have been caught in the other two lakes. The state record northern pike (38 pound 9 ounce) and landlocked chinook salmon (42 pounds) come from Lake Coeur d'Alene while a lake trout exceeding 57 pounds was caught in Priest Lake. The numerous small lakes in North Idaho offer anglers a buffet of fishing opportunities. Fish US! Hayden Lake, located just five miles north of Coeur d'Alene, is likely the area's best warm water fishery. This lake consistently produces 16 inch plus largemouth and smallmouth bass but is best known for its outsized crappie. In the deeper portions of the lake, anglers with downriggers often find trout up to ten pounds Spirit Lake offers a unique opportunity to jig for kokanee (also known as "bluebacks"). In other North Idaho lakes like Coeur d'Alene these small, landlocked salmon are generally caught by trolling. Spirit Lake bluebacks, however, are caught jigging small flashy lures. The bites of these fish are so light that many, more experienced anglers dispose of their rods and jig by holding the line in their hands. Cococalla Lake offers consistant trout and crappie action. Two other fish species caught in this lake, brown trout and channel catfish, are found in few other spots in the region. Many other smaller lakes including; Bonner, Round, Chase, Fernan, Kelso, Antelope and Twin provide additional opportunities for anglers. STREAM FISHING If you prefer wading and casting, North Idaho also has one of the premier blue-ribbon trout stream in North America: the St Joe River. Fly-fishing for westslope cutthroat in the catch-and-release section of this river has few equals. Hatches of mayflies during the summer brings the surface alive with the dimples of rising fish. A beautiful rainbow trout Although the St. Joe is the best known cutthroat trout stream on the IPNF, fishing can often be just as good in sections of the North Fork Coeur d'Alene River and the Little North Fork of the Clearwater. Fishing in the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene continues to improve as watershed restoration improves the quality of the stream. In contrast, fishing in the Little North Fork of the Clearwater has always been good --- mainly because few people are willing to make the hike down to the inaccessible portions of this river. MORE INFORMATION Other agencies and organizations provide information on fishing the IPNF and North Idaho. Note that by clicking on the links below you will be leaving the IPNF web site. To return, click on your browser's back button! Idaho Department of Fish and Game has specific information on: Cocolalla Lake Fernan Lake Ice fishing Fishing reports (updated frequently) The Idaho Chapter of the American Fisheries Society has an excellent web site on fishes of Idaho. Visit our national fishing information page for recreational fishing information on other National Forests. Top of the page Last updated: 04/17/01
Idaho Panhandle National Forests / USDA Forest Service