North Idaho Lakes and Rivers

Lakes, rivers and streams dominate Idaho's five northern counties with 140 lakes and nearly 2,000 miles of rivers and streams. More than half of all the surface waters in Idaho are here in the panhandle, from foam-flecked river rapids to challenge the whitewater rafter and glassy, quiet lakes perfect for canoes. Within the miles of rivers and vast lakes are world-class sport fisheries, many the location of sport fishing records. In addition to championship fishing, there are a host of other water related activities. Classic wooden boat shows, sailboat rigattas, paddlewheel boat cruises and dozens of public beaches and swimming holes are among the many ways to enjoy the area’s pristine waters and majestic summer days.

Lake Coeur d’Alene

  • Home of the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course Floating Green
  • Noted for its scenic mountain beauty
  • Chinook Salmon up to 42 lbs
  • Winter eagle nesting in Wolf Lodge Bay
  • 183 foot depth, 31,872 surface acres
  • 25 miles long, 125 miles of shoreline

Hayden Lake     

  • Accessible by paved road all around the lake
  • 178 foot depth, 3,800 surface acres
  • Fed by streams and springs
  • 40 miles of shoreline
  • Two public boat launches

Spirit Lake      

  • 12 miles of shoreline
  • 100 foot depth, 1,300 surface acres
  • Highest of all small lakes with an elevation of 2,400 feet
  • Surrounded by forests with hiking and biking trails Hauser Lake
  • 550 surface acres, 40 foot depth
  • A favorite fishing lake with public access

Fernan Lake

  • Small (450 acres) feeder lake to Lake CdA
  • Village of Fernan Lake nestled along its north and west shores

Hauser Lake

  • 550 surface acres, 40 foot depth
  • A favorite fishing lake with public access

Twin Lakes

  • Upper Twin, 500 acres, and Lower Twin, 350 acres are joined by a narrow thoroughfare; shallow, some parts only 10 feet deep
  • Near golf course
  • Home to perch, bass, crappie & rainbow trout

Lake Pend Oreille

  • Largest and deepest lake
  • 43 miles long, 111 miles of shoreline
  • Deep water (1,158 feet) – so deep the U.S. Navy tests submarines out of Bayview, which also has a community of floathouses
  • Record Kamloops trout and prize-winning Dolly Varden

Priest Lake

  • 80 miles of shoreline, 25 miles long
  • Connected to Upper Priest Lake by scenic 2.5 mile thoroughfare

Spokane River

  • 100 miles long, originates north end of Lake Coeur d’Alene flows westward and joins the Columbia River
  • Mostly used for recreation, is dammed at Post Falls

Coeur d’Alene River

  • Headwaters on the SE slopes of Packsaddle Mountain within 6 miles of Lake Pend Oreille
  • Water flowing SE & SW into Lake Coeur d’Alene at Harrison

St. Joe River

  • A working river where tugboats can be seen pulling rafts or “booms” of logs to lumber mills
  • The highest navigable river in the world
  • 120 miles long with Grade II and III rapids.

Priest River

  • 44 miles long
  • Class II & III rapids

Pend Oreille River

  • Originates from Lake Pend Oreille, flows west
  • Albeni Falls is located 23 miles downstream, near Priest River
  • Drains 24,000 square miles of wetlands in Western Montana and Northern Idaho

Launch your boat

In June 2009, the state of Idaho approved an emergency boat inspection program in order to keep invasive quagga and zebra mussels at bay. Boats will require an inspection sticker and may also be subject to decontamination process prior to launching in North Idaho lakes. Stickers available at State Park and Rec offices or online. More at www.invasivespecies.idaho.gov or 1-877-336-8676.

There are launch fees at Kootenai County's 22 ramps and docks at lakes and rivers, including Lake Coeur d'Alene: Boats registered in Idaho, $4 daily launch fee or $20 for an annual pass. Boats registered out of state, $8 a day or $40 a year. Visit the Kootenai County Parks & Waterways website for launch locations that require the permit.