The 12 Best Fishing Lakes in Idaho (And the Types of Fish to Expect!)

Visit the best fishing lakes in Idaho. Combining your love for the outdoors and an exciting fishing sport is the best way to enjoy the lakes.

Idaho is celebrated and respected for its quality fishing. The different variety of fish species separate it from other states. Those who fish for competitive purposes will be excited at the possibility of catching trophy-size fish.

Besides fishing, you can also enjoy the view and refreshing water, which is even more inviting in summer. Below are some of the best fishing lakes in Idaho.

1. Lake Pend Oreille

Lake Pend Oreille ranks as one of the largest lakes in Idaho. It registers a lot of impressive stats. For starters, it measures 43 miles and has a width of six miles. Its shoreline is 111 miles long, and the deepest spot is 1,158 feet. It ranks as the fifth deepest lake in the U.S. In fact, Lake Pend is deep enough to host Navy submarine tests. This is a big indicator that the lake is the real deal in terms of fishing.

This lake has an abundance of fish. It is home to renowned large fishery restoration projects. You will likely come across game and fish crew surveying the lake and its potential, which they have been doing for two decades.

Types of Fish Available

Expect to catch some of the best fish, including the kokanee, bull trout, rainbow trout, walleye, and lake trout.

The lake is known for producing many award-winning fish. It is also home to specific game fish, including:

• Northern pike
• Smallmouth and largemouth bass
• Black crappie
• Walleye

It is the world record holder for rainbow and bull trout (although you can no longer harvest them). Most fish in the lake have a bounty because of how much they are sought after.

2. Coeur d’Alene Lake

The Coeur d’Alene Lake may not be as big as Lake Pend Oreille, but it still stands out. You will love it for its great water quality, large size, and variety of fish.

The lake is 26 miles long and one to three miles wide, making it the second largest lake in Idaho.

Types of Fish Available

The lake has native fish, including westslope cutthroat, bull trout, and mountain whitefish. Besides that, new fish species have been introduced over the years.

Some game fish in this lake include:

• Black bullheads
• Yellow perch
• Kokanee
• Black crappie
• Chinook salmon
• Largemouth bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Northern pike

The lake has unique, nationally celebrated catches. Close to this lake are many other quality fishing destinations worth checking out. Some of these areas have several communities that offer accommodations to visitors.

3. Priest Lake

Located in Northern Idaho, this lake is one of the big lakes in the region worth checking out. It has postcard-worthy scenery and quality fishing grounds.

It is not close to cities like the other two lakes. Priest Lake is located in a rural area that is less developed. Even so, you will still get all the perks of big-city locations.

The lake has amenities that accommodate people seeking recreation of all kinds. You don’t have to be a fishing enthusiast to enjoy this lake. It’s a great destination for day trips, weekend getaways, extended vacations, and charters. You can also enjoy campgrounds, resorts, and boat rental.

Anglers are lucky, as the lake is 19 miles in length and four miles in width. The difference between this lake and others is that it is two lakes in one! The Lake’s upper side has a short, narrow channel passable by boats. However, the road networks are undeveloped. Though it has a shoreline with campsites.

Types of Fish Available

This lake’s main fish includes trout, also famously known as the Mackinaw. Other fish include cutthroat, kokanee salmon, and smallmouth bass. The fish with the highest catch rates on Priest Lake are the smallmouth bass and the lake trout.

Experienced anglers can catch a few 16-22 inch-sized fish. Lucky anglers may catch even bigger trophy-sized fish weighing between 20-30 pounds.

One thing you can be sure of catching is trout, as these are available in large numbers. Unfortunately, they affect the Kokanee population.

This is the best lake to visit whenever you desire to fish in serene backcountry. Focus on the upper lakeside for the more traditional cutthroat fish. The bull-trout is another favorite. However, you must catch and release this species.

4. Lake Cascade

This lake is typically a reservoir. It runs for 21 miles in length and measures 4.5 miles in width. However, it is a shallow lake with a depth of only 26 feet.

It’s known to produce some of the best world-record-holding fish. This lake is a success story after all the efforts put in place by game and fish partners. These efforts help reduce predators, as well as transplant perch and nongame fish.

The lake is ideal for fishing all year round, due to its elevation of 4,760 feet, which keeps temperatures mild.

It is possible to enjoy offshore camping, picnic areas, and boat ramps along the lake’s shore. Additionally, it is excellent for RV camping.

Types of Fish Available

There are over 10 different fish species in this lake. Many of these come in trophy sizes, especially marquees, smallmouth bass, and rainbow trout. You can also find kokanee salmon and tiger muskie.

Regardless of its size, this lake is accessible via canoes, kayaks, and even boats. It has three arms on the upper side that lead to the lake’s main pool.

To enjoy fishing in this lake, consider trolling. You can also use bait in the shallow waters or pitching lures. Know that the lake can be fickle, and it may take some time to make a catch.

5. Bear Lake

This is a large, unique lake located in the southeast of Idaho. The lake is 20 miles in length and eight miles in width, making it one of the largest lakes in the region. It divides the states of Utah and Idaho. Due to its distinct clear blue color, it is called the Caribbean of the Rockies. You can fish on any side of the lake, as long as you have a license.

Types of Fish Available

The lake is also filled with unique endemic fish species you will not find elsewhere, including Bear Lake sculpin, Bear Lake whitefish, and Bonneville cisco. This lake has some of the most coveted trophy-worthy fish, including lake trout, cutthroat trout, and whitefish.

This lake is ideal for fishing with boats, thanks to its deep waters and large size. Additionally, this lake offers excellent shore fishing opportunities. The fish spawning period in winter attracts anglers who engage in dip-netted fishing.

Though the top attraction is fishing, Bear Lake has many camping options, with several accommodations and vacation rentals.

6. Henry’s Lake

This is a small lake in Idaho. While it may not be as big as the other lakes, it’s still a decent size at eight square miles. It sits at an elevation of 6,500 feet. The Centennial Mountains and Lake Henry’s Mountains provide an excellent scenic backdrop.

The lake’s elevation gives it a shorter non-ice/open fishing season. The summer and fall also don’t last too long but offer prime opportunities for anglers.

The aquatic vegetation growing along the lake’s shoreline in summer makes bank angling a bit difficult but not impossible. Summers also cause the lake’s water to warm, driving fish into the middle of the lake.

If you choose to camp at the lakes state park, you can choose from several activities and accommodations.

Types of Fish Available

Anglers often catch some of the most coveted fish, including:

• Sterile-rainbow fish
• Yellowstone cutthroat trout
• Sterile brook trout

Henry’s Lake produces some unique regional-record brook trout. The sterile fish species is one of the best since it is fast growing and can attain envied sizes. Hybrids and cutthroats are some of the best catches as they get to the coveted 10-pound size mark. You can also commonly catch 20-inch fish!

This lake’s stock number 750,000 to over one million, mostly trout, which fill up the lake every fall season. Most of these come from spawners returning to the lake’s hatchery. As such, it guarantees a constant large-sized fish supply, making the lake very productive.

7. Stanley Lake

This lake is in Western Idaho, in Custer County, within the Sawtooth National Recreation region.

Lake Stanley is located approximately 11 km west of Stanley. It can be accessed through the State Highway. The lake’s surface elevation is 6,513 feet above sea level.

As a fishing enthusiast, you’ll enjoy exploring the 170-acre lake. It also offers several recreation opportunities. It is easy to access the area all year round, although you need to beware of the snow during winter, which may limit access.

Types of Fish Available

The lake is home to several species of fish. The common ones include:

• Bull trout- catch and release
• Whitefish- no limit during the open season
• Spring and Chinook salmon
• Sturgeon– catch and release
• For the Tiger Muskie- limit of two fish over 40 inches
• Steelhead/rainbow trout
• Kokanee- limit of 25 fish
• Brook trout- limit of 25 fish
• Smallmouth and largemouth bass- no limit
• Lake trout- limit of two fish (You can fish other types of trout as long as you do not exceed six in total. They include trout hybrids, Sunapee, arctic grayling, cutthroat, and golden trout species)

8. Dierkes Lake

This lake collects the drainage of the Snake River and is located in Shoshone Falls Park. It is a famous kid friendly swimming and fishing hole. Many kids have caught their first bluegill, bass, or trout fish here.

Dierkes Lake is one of the fishing spots that can resist Southern Idaho’s cyclical drought.

Types of Fish Available

The lake has a few fish species, including the sunfish/bluegill/pumpkinseed fish, largemouth bass, and rainbow trout. Crappies have also been observed.

9. Hayden Lake

Hayden Lake is one of the natural lakes located in Northern Idaho. It has great sandy beaches, clear waters, and timbered shorelines. In addition to its beauty, it is also great for fishing.

The lake has an elevation of 6,000 feet and extends further east to join the Bitterroot Mountain range. Its normal elevation is 2,239 feet. The lake has a depth of 800 feet.

It has an irregular shoreline that stretches about 40 miles in length and has a width of two miles, offering ideal conditions that support different types of fish.

Types of Fish Available

The common species you are likely to catch include:

• Sunfish
• Bluegill
• Rainbow trout
• Smallmouth bass
• Largemouth bass
• Pumpkinseed
• Crappie
• Yellow perch
• Bullhead catfish
• Northern pike

10. Payette Lake

This lake offers excellent shoreline fishing if you have a small boat. It is located in McCall in Southwestern Idaho and covers 5,330 acres of land. It is eight miles long, two and a half miles wide, 392 feet deep, and at an elevation of 5,000 feet.

Types of Fish Available

The most common fish found here include:

• Smallmouth bass
• Yellow perch
• Rainbow trout
• Cutthroat trout
• Kokanee salmon
• Lake trout

The largemouth, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass are the most recommended for anglers using bait and tackle.

11. Lake Lowell

Lake Lowell is among the best fishing lakes in Idaho. This lake was originally known as the Deer Flat Reservoir. It was the first reservoir completed under the Boise Project and constructed as a storage source.

It is 14.5 square miles and spans 9,800 acres. The reservoir has 28 miles of shoreline and is part of the Refuge. Lake Lowell is famous for various recreational activities, like fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. It is located about five miles southwest of Nampa, making it very accessible.

The lake is one of the best fishing spots in the state. Its warm and shallow waters are perfect for bass fishing. However, these trophy-sized bass are caught on a catch-and-release basis only. The lake is also a great habitat for over 200 bird species, making it an ideal location for bird watchers.

Types of Fish Available

Fishing lovers will enjoy catching different fish species found in the lake. These include:

• Bluegill/sunfish/pumpkinseed fish
• Large-scale sucker
• Bullhead catfish
• Yellow perch
• Catfish
• Largemouth bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Common carp
• White crappie
• Black crappie
• Brown bullhead
• Channel catfish
• Oriental weather fish
• Kokanee
• Northern pike minnow

12. Oster Lakes

The Oster Lakes is located in Hagerman Valley. These lakes are among the best fishing lakes in Idaho.

Types of Fish Available

It has a massive production of trout fish. Also available in the small lakes are:

• Carp
• Sturgeon
• Rainbow trout
• Yellow trout (quite rare)
• Brown trout
• Bass
• Bluegill

Summary of the Best Fishing Lakes in Idaho

Fishing enthusiasts in Idaho have a lot of options. You can decide which lake is ideal based on your fishing goals and proximity. However, one thing remains true: you can never go wrong with fishing at these lakes.

Gear up, get the right bait, and head to the nearest fishing lake for a fun-filled experience regardless of the season. It doesn’t matter which lake you try, and Idaho fishing spots are perfect for experienced and amateur anglers.

Research the rules and restrictions once you know the lake you plan to visit. Prep for the trip and visit when it is most convenient to catch the best fish.

Here are the best fishing lakes in Idaho:

Fish Species Found in the Best Fishing Lakes in Idaho

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