North Idaho Sports & Outdoor Recreation

North Idaho Water Sports

On the Water

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Lakes, rivers and streams dominate Idaho's five northern counties with 140 lakes and nearly 2,000 miles of rivers and streams. Anglers and other water sports people can spend endless hours in their pursuits. Most lakes and rivers offer sandy beaches and parks scattered along their shores.

The six major lakes include: Lake Pend Oreille, the state's largest lake, has 90,000 surface acres of water with depths to 1,150 feet. Priest Lake is two lakes connected by a 2.5 mile river referred to as the "thoroughfare". These bodies have almost 24,000 acres of surface water and stretch for 25 miles. Lake Coeur d'Alene, about 25 miles long, has 135 miles of shoreline; Hayden Lake covers about 4,000 acres; Spirit Lake, Upper and Lower Twin Lakes, and Hauser Lake are but a few of the other area lakes. The major rivers are the Coeur d'Alene, the St. Joe, the Spokane, the Pend Oreille and Priest River. Waters from this region yield one-third of the state's record fish. Lake Pend Oreille's famous kamloops have produced a world record 37 pounder. Lake Coeur d'Alene is known for it's large chinook salmon and cutthroat trout. Other area species include: trout, crappie, perch, large-mouth bass, bullheads, channel catfish, blue gills, sunfish, northern pike, and tiger muskies.

Boat Registration/Dock Usage Fees: If a boat is currently registered in any state, 60 days of boating use is allowed without registering in Idaho. To register a boat or for information, phone the Idaho Department of Park and Recreation at (208) 769-1511. For launching fee info, contact the city of Coeur d'Alene.

North Idaho Lake Information and Facts

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Get WET

Head for Wild Water man-made mountain of fun, offering a variety of refreshing activities including water slides, heated pools, a game arcade and picnic area. The summer of 2007 brings exciting additions to the park. Celebrating 25 years with a brand new Sunnyside Lazy River, the largest and longest anywhere, it features a float up bar. Wild Waters has special events, concerts and promotions all summer long! A great place for kids of all ages. Centrally located at 2119 N. Government Way in Coeur d'Alene. 667-6491. Silverwood Theme Park's Boulder Beach includes 2 wave pools, exciting water rides and play areas. A new VIP Cabana Island opens in 2007 for their 20th anniversary. 683-3400. Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg is scheduled to open the Silver Rapids Indoor Water Park in late 2007 with a flowrider surf wave. Raptor Reef indoor water park is part of the Triple Play and Holiday Inn complex on US Hwy 95 with year ‘round family water fun.

North Idaho is abundant with swimming beaches and water holes. Independence Point Park at Coeur d'Alene's City Beach has a water fountain and a nice sandy strip of beach between the docks and the Coeur d'Alene Resort that's perfect for wading and splashing without the larger crowds on the park side beach. Hayden Lake's Honeysuckle Beach is open to the public and family-friendly. From US 95 (between Hayden Ave. and Prairie Ave.) take Honeysuckle eastbound right to the lake. If you've got a car full of kids and are ready to take a break, Q'emiln Riverside Park in Post Falls features a beautiful beach with lifeguards, just 4 blocks from the Spokane Street Exit off of I-90! City Beach in Sandpoint is surrounded on three sides by Sand Creek and Lake Pend Oreille. Take Bridge St. from downtown.

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Paddle, paddle, paddle

Challenge Idaho's legendary white water on the Moyie and St. Joe rivers. Guided trips of one to six days are available, including adventures on the Salmon, Snake and Lochsa rivers. Canoe, kayak and inner tube enthusiasts will find varying currents and conditions on the Coeur d'Alene, St. Joe and Spokane rivers, depending on the time of year and which section of the river they choose. Information on the region's rivers is available from area Forest Service offices. For a great view from a new perspective, kayak tours are available on Lake Coeur d'Alene and Lake Pend Oreille. Kayak Coeur d'Alene (676-1533), Rapid Sports (772-9162), Moose Camp Sports (667-6994) and Full Spectrum Kayak Tours 263-5975 offer fully equipped, guided tours, equipment rentals, a variety of schedules, instruction and family rates. For a quick trip, paddle boats are available to rent by the hour at Independence Point in Coeur d'Alene or the city beach in Sandpoint.

Hell's Canyon, near Lewiston, Idaho, is North America's deepest canyon. In the basin, the Snake River runs for 70 miles. You can walk along the river, take boat tours, experience world-class white water rafting, fish or jet boat. Riverquest Excursions features fishing or sightseeing tours, departing from Hells Canyon State Park. 800-589-1129.

If you want to captain your own watercraft, Vacation Sports Rentals in Coeur d'Alene provides boats and jet skis with full or half day rentals offered. They'll even deliver to the lake! 665-0686.

North Idaho is a whitewater and paddlers mecca. Whether you're looking for wild rapids, a family whitewater trip, gentle floats or lake paddling you'll find it all. Both the Moyie and St. Joe offer raft-bashing fun in spectacular forested canyons. Near the Idaho/Montana border, the Alberton Gorge of the Clark Fork is a summer favorite with warm water and intermediate rapids. Canoe, kayak and inner tube enthusiasts will find miles of river to float on the Coeur d'Alene, lower St. Joe and Spokane rivers. ROW Adventures offer guided whitewater rafting, multi-sport and fishing trips for all ages. No experience is necessary and family rates are available. Call 765-0841.

Kayaking off of North Idaho College Beach has become a favorite past time of students and locals. Rental kayaks, canoes and whitewater rafting equipment is available from North Idaho College. Call 769-3290

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Float the Rivers

Float down the upper Coeur d'Alene River in a raft or canoe. The trip takes you past beautiful scenery, rock formations and wildlife. The river is 55 miles long between Senator Creek and Cataldo. For information on water levels call 752-1221. Floating the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River is a family adventure for even the most inexperienced or novice floaters. Put in your raft or inner tube and enjoy a meandering pace of traveling about one mile of river in an hour. Take the Kingston exit off of I-90 and head up to Bumble Bee Bridge or to Albert's Landing campground. This favorite summer activity is best between June and late July as in August the water levels lower considerably making for a bit bumpier and slower float. End the day with Rocky Mountain oysters at the famous Enaville Resort, known also as the historic Snake Pit.

Take a long, 6-hour trip on the rapid Lower Priest River. The course offers a challenge for the experienced inner-tuber, kayaker or rafter. Put in point is about three miles north of the town of Priest River off Highway 57. This is a tough course and is recommended for strong swimmers. Always wear a life-vest. Pack River is a scenic and meandering ride past beautiful scenery and wildlife. Inner-tubes, canoes, rafts and kayaks are all good for this river. There are several entrance points off Highway 95 and Highway 200. The Spokane River has quick and short white water rapids for the truly adventurous.

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Cruise or Live Aboard

Experience the true beauty of the lakes and rivers of North Idaho by taking a summer cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene, Lake Pend Oreille, Spokane River and St. Joe River. Daily, dinner, brunch and charter cruises are available. Cruises depart from various locations several times each day during the summer season, May -- October. For schedules call: Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises 765-4000, Westcoast River Queen 773-1611, Lake Pend Oreille Cruises 255-LAKE, Heyburn State Park cruises 686-1308 or River Cove Dinner Cruises. The Serendipity Houseboat and Events Center, located on Lake Coeur d'Alene, is available for year-round charter cruises 651-6319

Or, float on the lake for a day or a week. The Boardwalk Marina rents Cobalt and ten person pontoon boats for private cruises around the lake. Call 415-5600. Ten person pontoon boat rentals are also available at Red Lion Templin's Hotel in Post Falls 773-1611. Live-aboard houseboats can be rented from Excursions Northwest, Serendipity Houseboat and Events Center (year round luxury houseboat) on Lake Coeur d'Alene or BC&M Houseboat Vacations on Lake Pend Oreille.

If you want to vacation on the waterfront, Coeur d'Alene Property Management has four season getaway rentals featuring houses and cabins on Lake Coeur d'Alene, Hayden Lake, Spirit Lake and Twin Lakes. 765-0777.

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Boat and Watercraft Rentals

Public Docks/Boat Ramps

For a printable map of North Idaho Docks & Beaches Click Here

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Take a Dam Tour

West of Priest River is the Albeni Falls hydroelectric dam and visitors center.  Free tours are offered during the summer season, June - August at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm.  The dam and visitors center is open everyday (closed Christmas and New Years), 7:30am - 6pm in the summer, 7:30am - 4pm from September to May.

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Fabulous Fish Stories

The outdoor sportsman is at home in Northern Idaho and Lake Coeur d'Alene is an angler's paradise. The lake has produced a 42 lb. Chinook Salmon (most are 3-7 lbs.). Large and small mouth bass, kokanee, northern pike, rainbow trout, and mackinaw are also plentiful. Hayden Lake produced a (state record setting) 39.9 lb. pike. Large outdoor sporting goods retailers (Cabela's opened in Post Falls late 2007), as well as charter fishing companies and guided outfitters can help you plan your trip. See www.ioga.idaho.gov for a list of all licensed Idaho outfitters and guides.

Water from this region yield one-third of the state's record fish. Lake Pend Oreille's famous kamloops have produced a world record 37-pounder. Lake Coeur d'Alene is known for its large chinook salmon and cutthroat trout. Other area species include: trout, crappie, perch, large-mouth bass, bullheads, channel catfish, blue gills, sunfish, northern pike, and tiger muskies. Northern pike are generally the first species to become active in the spring. Fernan, Twin, Spirit and Hayden lakes all provide northern pike fishing.

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.

The only inland western state with ocean-run salmon and steelhead, Idaho hatchery runs provide an exciting fishing experience, including world-class blue-ribbon wild trout streams. The St. Joe River is known for its great fly fishing opportunities and unmatched scenic beauty. 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.

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

Fishing Tournaments

Spring Fishing Derby. Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club. 264-5796
American Bass Tournament. Lake Pend Oreille / Hope Boat Basin. 773-9443
American Bass Tournament. Lake Coeur d'Alene / Harrison. 773-9443
Thanksgiving Fishing Derby. Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club. 263-0424

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.

State of Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation - www.idahoparks.org
State of Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board - www.oglb.idaho.gov
Center Target Sports - www.centertargetsports.com 
Moose Camp Sports - www.moosecampsports.com 
Ducks Unlimited - www.ducks.org
Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club - www.lpoic.com
Inland Empire Bass Club - www.inlandempirebassclub.com
American Bass Association - www.americanbass.com

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Outfitters, Charters & Guides

3 Heart Outfitters 267-5858 Adventure Guide Service 772-5267 All About Adventures 263-6959 Black Pine Farm 683-3244 Blue Ribbon Charters 661-6969 Buckshot Outfitting 290-2144 Castaway Fly Fishing Shop 765-3133 Clark Fork Outfitters 266-1910 Coeur d'Alene Charters 765-8777 Fins & Feathers 667-9304 Hooked on Fish Guide Service 661-2919 Idaho Whitetail Guides 826-3405 Lake Charters Inc 667-3474 Moosecamp Sports 667-6994 Panhandle Outfitters (509) 922-8289 Pend Oreille Charters 265-6781 Priest Lake Outdoor Adventures 443-6552 North Idaho Mountain Outfitting 443-2703 Red Horse Mountain Lodge 689-9680 River Odyssey West 765-0841 Wilderness Charters of the Priest Lake 255-5584

Department of Fish and Game Coeur d'Alene Regional Headquarters 769-1414 Need a hunting or fishing license? Find out how to get your North Idaho Hunting & Fishing License.
Bonners Ferry 267-7629 Clark Fork 266-1501 Kellogg 682-4674 Moyie Springs 267-7629 Naples 267-4085 Priest River 448-2302	Rathdrum 265-8320 Sagle 265-8320 Sandpoint 265-8835 St. Maries 245-8100 Wallace 556-1513

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Idaho Panhandle National Forest Supervisors Office 3815 Schreiber Way - Coeur d'Alene - 765-7223 www.fs.fed.us/ipnf North of I-90, between U.S. Hwy. 95 and Ramsey Road on Kathleen Ave.

Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District - Fernan Office 2502 E. Sherman Ave. - Coeur d'Alene 769-3000 East of I-90 at exit 15   Priest Lake Ranger District 32203 Hwy. 57 - Priest River 443-2512 On St. Hwy. 57, mile post 32, 3 miles south of Nordman   Bonners Ferry Ranger District 6286 Main St. - Bonners Ferry 267-5561 1 mile south of Bonners Ferry on U.S. Hwy. 95   Sandpoint Ranger District 1500 Hwy 2, #110 - Sandpoint 263-5111 West edge of Sandpoint on U.S. Hwy. 2

Silver Valley Office 173 Commerce Dr. - Smelterville 783-2100 South of I-90 at exit 48   St. Joe Ranger District - St. Maries Office 222 S. 7th St., #1 - St. Maries 245-2531 Federal Building in downtown St. Maries   - Avery Office Avery - 245-4517 6 miles west of Avery on Forest Hwy. 50 (St. Joe River Rd.)   - Clarkia Office 54495 Hwy 3 - Clarkia 245-1134 1 mile south of Clarkia on Hwy 3