Coeur d'Alene Lake Fishing
A 27,911-acre Idaho lake in Benewah and Kootenai counties.
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Sizing up Coeur d'Alene Lake
In Benewah and Kootenai counties, Coeur d’Alene Lake takes up 27,911 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 10 miles of driving to reach Coeur d’Alene. Where the water goes, per the Planner: Flows into the Coeur d’Alene River. Among IDFG picks, it is a Recommended Fishing Water.
Three federal and state layers tally 5 launch sites on it. Region limits change here through 3 special rule lines. IDFG notes a boat ramp, dock, toilet, campground and accessible facilities here. The Planner shows an eating advisory 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 Coeur d'Alene Lake surveys
Planner game fish, survey finds and stocked fish at Coeur d'Alene Lake:
Species from IDFG sampling at Coeur d'Alene Lake
- Kokaneesurvey 2025
- Chinook Salmonsurvey 2018
- Smallmouth Basssurvey 2018
- Black Bullheadsurvey 2017
- Black Crappiesurvey 2017
- Cutthroat Troutsurvey 2017
- Green Sunfishsurvey 2017
- Largemouth Basssurvey 2017
- Largescale Suckersurvey 2017
- Northern Pikesurvey 2017
- Northern Pikeminnowsurvey 2017
- Pumpkinseedsurvey 2017
- Rainbow x Cutthroat Troutsurvey 2017
- Tenchsurvey 2017
- Yellow Perchsurvey 2017
Survey lists include nongame fish such as suckers and dace.
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner water page, read November 7, 2026.
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- Loffs Bay boat ramp on Coeur d'Alene Lakeboating access, ramp, dock, restroom
- Mica Bay boat ramp on Coeur d'Alene Lakeboating access, ramp, dock, restroom
- Rockford Bay boat ramp on Coeur d'Alene Lakeboating access, ramp, dock
- Mineral Ridge Boat Launch on Coeur d'Alene Lakeboat launch, Bureau of Land Management
- Windy Bay Boat Launch on Coeur d'Alene Lakeboat dock, Bureau of Land Management
Launches a short trailer pull from Coeur d'Alene Lake
- Thompson Lake Outlet boat rampThompson Lake, 6 miles southeast
- Anderson Lake Outlet boat rampAnderson Lake, 6 miles south
- Rainy Hill Boat Launch on Medicine LakeMedicine Lake, 11 miles southeast
- Round Lake – O'Gara Bay Road boat rampRound Lake, 13 miles south
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.
Latest level reading on Coeur d'Alene Lake
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Coeur D Alene Lake At Coeur D Alene Id | 24.93 ft gage height | Nov 9 7:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 9, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Agency and date travel with every level shown for Coeur d'Alene Lake.
Idaho region limits that cover Coeur d'Alene 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 Coeur d'Alene Lake, start with the IDFG Panhandle Region table and then read the water's own lines.
Where Coeur d'Alene Lake departs from the region table
Heading as printed: "Coeur d'Alene Lake (includes Benewah, Chatcolet lakes, Coeur d'Alene River Chain Lakes and all tributaries to Coeur d'Alene Lake)".
| Rule as printed |
|---|
| Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout |
| Lake Creek and tributaries, closed to fishing |
| Contact the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Office |
Special rules printed for Coeur d'Alene Lake (includes Benewah, Chatcolet lakes, Coeur d'Alene River Chain Lakes and all tributaries to Coeur d'Alene Lake) 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 Coeur d'Alene Lake in one table
Anderson Lake is the heavyweight of the set at 541 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Region | Recommended fish | Launch sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene Lake | 27,911 | Panhandle Region | 10 | 5 | |
| Thompson Lake | 6 miles southeast | 174 | Panhandle Region | 7 | 1 |
| Anderson Lake | 6 miles southeast | 541 | Panhandle Region | 7 | 1 |
| Blue Lake (Kootenai County) | 7 miles southeast | 226 | Panhandle Region | 7 | 0 |
| Fernan Lake | 9 miles northeast | 423 | Panhandle Region | 9 | 0 |
| Swan Lake (Kootenai County) | 9 miles southeast | 435 | Panhandle Region | 0 | 0 |
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner and the agency access layers, read November 7, 2026.
Minutes from Coeur d'Alene Lake
Nearby still water worth trying from Coeur d'Alene Lake
- Thompson Lake6 miles southeast
- Anderson Lake6 miles southeast
- Blue Lake (Kootenai County)7 miles southeast
- Fernan Lake9 miles northeast
- Swan Lake (Kootenai County)9 miles southeast
Bait and tackle counters for Coeur d'Alene Lake
- Shooters Bar & Grillmarina, Coeur D Alene, 5 miles
- Black Rock Marinamarina, Coeur D Alene, 5 miles
- Discovery Marinamarina, Harrison, 6 miles
- Beauty Bay Marinamarina, Coeur D Alene, 7 miles
- Harrison Trading Co Incbait and tackle shop, Harrison, 7 miles
- Silver Beach Marinamarina, Coeur D Alene, 8 miles
Paid guides close to Coeur d'Alene Lake
- Northwest Outfitters – Orvisfishing guide, Coeur D Alene, (208) 667-2707
- RICKS ON THE HOOK GUIDE SERVICEfishing guide, Coeur D Alene, (208) 691-1737
- Russell Pond Outfittersfishing guide, Saint Maries, (208) 245-2458
Where to book a motel for Coeur d'Alene Lake
- Coeur d'Alene11 miles
- Dalton Gardens13 miles
- Post Falls14 miles
County pages for Coeur d'Alene Lake
- Benewah Countyseat: St. Maries
- Kootenai Countyseat: Coeur d'Alene
Piscifun gear a Gem State angler might carry to Coeur d'Alene Lake
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Gem State water near Coeur d'Alene Lake, on camera
Photo: Forest Service Northern Region, Public domain
Photo: MonikaMurren, CC BY 2.0
Photo: TravelingOtter, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Trip questions about Coeur d'Alene Lake, sorted
What part of the Gem State holds Coeur d'Alene Lake?
The water is in Benewah and Kootenai counties, about 10 miles from Coeur d'Alene.
How much surface does Coeur d'Alene Lake cover?
About 27,911 acres, at about 2,125 feet.
Which launch is nearest Coeur d'Alene Lake?
Yes: 5 launch sites appear in the layers, Loffs Bay boat ramp on Coeur d'Alene Lake among them.
What fish are in Coeur d'Alene Lake?
Recommended game fish: bluegill / pumpkinseed / sunfish, bullhead catfish, kokanee, largemouth bass, chinook salmon, northern pike and yellow perch.
What daily limit applies at Coeur d'Alene Lake?
Under the IDFG Panhandle Region block: Trout limit is 6, all species combined; Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately. Kokanee: Kokanee limit is 15. Its special rules sit in the limits band.
Can a visitor from out of state fish Coeur d'Alene 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 Coeur d'Alene Lake get hatchery fish?
The Planner carries nothing on stocking here.
Is there a bait shop on the road to Coeur d'Alene Lake?
Shooters Bar & Grill, about 5 miles away is first on our Idaho list.
What is the latest reading at Coeur d'Alene Lake?
See the level panel (USGS).
Does Coeur d'Alene Lake carry a consumption advisory?
IDFG lists an advisory notice; see its Planner page.
Circle a free Saturday for Coeur d'Alene Lake
Region limits, statutory fees and special rules are on the license page.