Chatcolet Lake Fishing
A 1,643-acre Idaho lake in Benewah County.
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Sizing up Chatcolet Lake
In Benewah County, Chatcolet Lake takes up 1,643 acres on the IDFG listing. The national hydrography puts its surface near 2,125 feet. It is a IDFG Panhandle Region water on the Planner. Count on around 6 miles of driving to reach Plummer. Where the water goes, per the Planner: Flows into the Saint Joe River. Among IDFG picks, it is a Recommended Fishing Water.
Its shoreline carries no ramp in the data we use. Region limits change here through 1 special rule line. IDFG notes a boat ramp, dock, toilet, campground and accessible facilities here.
Surface acres as listed in the IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (water page), read November 7, 2026. Elevation from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset and GNIS for the matched lake outline, read November 7, 2026. Census 2020 places.
Species turned up in Chatcolet Lake surveys
Planner game fish, survey finds and stocked fish at Chatcolet Lake:
Species from IDFG sampling at Chatcolet Lake
- Largemouth Basssurvey 2019
- Smallmouth Basssurvey 2019
Survey lists include nongame fish such as suckers and dace.
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner water page, read November 7, 2026.
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Chatcolet Lake has no launch in our layers; options nearby are below.
Launches a short trailer pull from Chatcolet Lake
- Round Lake – O'Gara Bay Road boat rampRound Lake, 1 mile northeast
- Anderson Lake Outlet boat rampAnderson Lake, 7 miles north
- Thompson Lake Outlet boat rampThompson Lake, 9 miles north
- St Maries River / Spicer Pond boat rampSpicer Pond, 11 miles east
- Rainy Hill Boat Launch on Medicine LakeMedicine Lake, 11 miles northeast
- Rockford Bay boat ramp on Coeur d'Alene LakeCoeur d'Alene Lake, 12 miles northwest
The Planner lists no motor restriction here.
IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites layer, BLM Idaho recreation site points and USDA Forest Service recreation opportunities (EDW), read November 7, 2026.
Idaho region limits that cover Chatcolet Lake
| Group | Region rule as printed |
|---|---|
| Bass | Bass limit is 6, both species combined |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout limit is 25; Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for Brook Trout |
| Bull Trout | Bull Trout – catch-and-release |
| Burbot | Burbot limit is 6 |
| Chinook Salmon | Chinook Salmon limit is 2, none under 24 inches |
| Kokanee | Kokanee limit is 15 |
| Northern Pike | No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.) |
| Sturgeon | Fishing for sturgeon in the Kootenai River is illegal; Sturgeon caught incidentally must be released immediately |
| Tiger Muskie | Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches |
| Trout | Trout limit is 6, all species combined; Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately |
| Walleye | No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.) |
| Whitefish | Whitefish limit is 25; Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for whitefish |
| All Other Fish Species | No bag, length, or possession limit |
On Chatcolet Lake, start with the IDFG Panhandle Region table and then read the water's own lines.
Where Chatcolet Lake departs from the region table
Heading as printed: "Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation".
| Rule as printed |
|---|
| Contact the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Office |
Special rules printed for Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation on its IDFG Fishing Planner page (Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules, 2025-2027), read November 7, 2026.
Fishing here takes an Idaho fishing license; Idaho Code 36-416 sets the annual statutory fee at $28.75 for residents and $106.25 for nonresidents, and steelhead or salmon fishing takes its own permit.
Region bag limits from Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules, 2025-2027 for the Panhandle Region, as printed on IDFG Fishing Planner water pages (the brochure PDF on idfg.idaho.gov was unreachable during site maintenance), read November 7, 2026.
Fishing license fees as set in Idaho Code 36-416 (statute; IDFG sale prices add vendor and processing fees), read November 7, 2026.
Neighbouring water and Chatcolet Lake in one table
Round Lake (Benewah County) is the heavyweight of the set at 801 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Region | Recommended fish | Launch sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatcolet Lake | 1,643 | Panhandle Region | 7 | 0 | |
| Hidden Lake channel | 2 miles north | 117 | Panhandle Region | 0 | 0 |
| Round Lake (Benewah County) | 2 miles east | 801 | Panhandle Region | 6 | 1 |
| Benewah Lake | 3 miles east | 178 | Panhandle Region | 7 | 0 |
| Anderson Lake | 7 miles north | 541 | Panhandle Region | 7 | 1 |
| Black Lake (Kootenai County) | 7 miles northeast | 402 | Panhandle Region | 7 | 0 |
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner and the agency access layers, read November 7, 2026.
Minutes from Chatcolet Lake
Nearby still water worth trying from Chatcolet Lake
- Hidden Lake channel2 miles north
- Round Lake (Benewah County)2 miles east
- Benewah Lake3 miles east
- Anderson Lake7 miles north
- Black Lake (Kootenai County)7 miles northeast
Bait and tackle counters for Chatcolet Lake
- Harrison Trading Co Incbait and tackle shop, Harrison, 6 miles
- Shooters Bar & Grillmarina, Coeur D Alene, 12 miles
- Black Rock Marinamarina, Coeur D Alene, 12 miles
- Beauty Bay Marinamarina, Coeur D Alene, 18 miles
- Discovery Marinamarina, Harrison, 19 miles
- Silver Beach Marinamarina, Coeur D Alene, 21 miles
Paid guides close to Chatcolet Lake
- Russell Pond Outfittersfishing guide, Saint Maries, (208) 245-2458
Where to book a motel for Chatcolet Lake
- Plummer6 miles
- St. Maries9 miles
- Coeur d'Alene24 miles
County pages for Chatcolet Lake
- Benewah Countyseat: St. Maries
Piscifun gear a Gem State angler might carry to Chatcolet Lake
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Gem State water near Chatcolet Lake, on camera
Photo: Raniel Diaz, CC BY 2.0
Photo: TravelingOtter, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Dsdugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Trip questions about Chatcolet Lake, sorted
What part of the Gem State holds Chatcolet Lake?
The water is in Benewah County, about 6 miles from Plummer.
How much surface does Chatcolet Lake cover?
About 1,643 acres, at about 2,125 feet.
Which launch is nearest Chatcolet Lake?
None is recorded in the layers; see the ramps nearby.
What fish are in Chatcolet Lake?
Recommended game fish: bluegill / pumpkinseed / sunfish, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and white crappie.
What daily limit applies at Chatcolet Lake?
Under the IDFG Panhandle Region block: Trout limit is 6, all species combined; Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately. Its special rules sit in the limits band.
Can a visitor from out of state fish Chatcolet Lake?
Fishing here takes an Idaho fishing license; Idaho Code 36-416 sets the annual statutory fee at $28.75 for residents and $106.25 for nonresidents, and steelhead or salmon fishing takes its own permit.
Does Chatcolet Lake get hatchery fish?
The Planner carries nothing on stocking here.
Is there a bait shop on the road to Chatcolet Lake?
Harrison Trading Co Inc, about 6 miles away is first on our Idaho list.
Circle a free Saturday for Chatcolet Lake
Region limits, statutory fees and special rules are on the license page.