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Lakes of North Idaho

North Idaho is home to some of the most beautiful lakes in the Pacific Northwest. Here are a few must-visit lakes:

  • Lake Coeur d’Alene: Known for its stunning turquoise waters and scenic surroundings, it’s perfect for boating, fishing, and hiking.
  • Lake Pend Oreille: The largest lake in Idaho, offering opportunities for water sports, camping, and exploring nearby mountains.
  • Priest Lake: A serene destination ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, and wildlife viewing.
  • Spirit Lake: A smaller, peaceful lake great for fishing and picnicking with family.

Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, the lakes of North Idaho have something for everyone.

Avondale Lake shoreline

Avondale Lake

Located in Hayden (Kootenai County). Privately owned with limited public access. ~58 acres, avg depth ~5 ft, max ~22 ft, elevation ~2,293 ft. Public boat launch on the southwest side near Avondale Golf Course; electric motors only.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: Yes · ADA access: Yes · Common fish: Largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie; rainbow trout are stocked annually.

Public boat launch on the southwest side near Avondale Golf Course. Steep, primitive gravel ramp with gravel/grass parking. Only electric motors permitted (no gas boats).

No public restrooms, docks, or campgrounds at the lake. ADA access is available at the launch area.

Common catches include largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and white crappie. Rainbow trout are stocked annually. Wildlife nearby can include bald eagles, ospreys, deer, and bobcats.

Early 1900s area known as Monaghan Settlement. 1906 electric railroad extended to Hayden Lake; 1912 Bozanta Tavern & Golf Course opened. 1977 Avondale Irrigation District updated the system fed by the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer.

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Anderson Lake

Anderson Lake

Located near Harrison and connected to the Coeur d’Alene River, Anderson Lake is a sizable recreation lake popular for boating and fishing.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: Yes · Size: ~500–720 acres · Elevation: ~2,129 ft.

Public ramp near Highway 97 bridge; ADA accessible, parking and basic toilet facilities.

Bass, northern pike, yellow perch, bluegill and crappie; anglers have reported trophy bass catches historically.

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Benewah Lake

Part of Heyburn State Park and connected to Chatcolet and Round Lakes — a popular area for boating, camping and tribal history.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: Yes · Surface area: ~400 acres · Facilities: ramps, docks, campgrounds.

Public ramps and park facilities through Heyburn State Park; ADA amenities available at some sites.

Located on Coeur d’Alene Tribal lands; named after Chief Benewah and historically used for subsistence fishing and transport.

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Black Lake

Black Lake

Part of the Chain Lakes region with limited facilities and strong natural character — good for fishing, camping and trail access.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: No (limited access) · Size: ~400 acres (varies) · Limited facilities.

Access via local roads; no developed ramps. Nearby Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes provides recreation access.

Region tied to mining and logging history; remnants of early resorts and mining camps are nearby.

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Blue Lake

There are several Blue Lakes in Idaho; most are small, scenic alpine or forest lakes known for clear, blue water and hiking access.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: No (typically) · Access: hiking or primitive roads · Best for day hiking and fishing.

Often accessible by trail; check local forest service maps for exact access and trailhead information.

Commonly stocked or naturally sustaining trout and panfish in alpine locations; access and species vary by lake.

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Bull Run Lake

Shallow, lily-pad rich lake in the Coeur d’Alene River Wildlife Management Area; great for birding and quiet paddling.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: Yes (primitive) · Size: ~90–100 acres · Facilities: primitive launch only.

Primitive earthen launch; limited parking. Popular with anglers using small boats and duck hunters in season.

Extensive wetland habitat supports waterfowl, wading birds and other wetland species.

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Cave Lake

Cave Lake

Part of the Chain Lakes near Medimont — a larger recreational lake with ramps, docks and a diverse fishery.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: Yes · Surface area: ~749 acres · Facilities: dock, toilets; ADA accessible.

Public ramps, docks and toilet facilities; widely used for boating and fishing.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappie, trout and more — a diverse angling lake.

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Lake Coeur d'Alene

Lake Coeur d’Alene

Iconic glacial lake east of Spokane, famous for its size, marinas, and turquoise waters — a regional recreation hub.

Quick facts: Boat ramps: Multiple · Surface area: ~50 sq mi · Avg depth: ~120 ft.

Home to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe for millennia; later logging, rail and steamboat eras shaped tourism and development.

Boating, marinas, festivals, Ironman events and miles of shoreline make it a major tourism driver in North Idaho.

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Coeur d'Alene River

Coeur d’Alene River

Main river draining into Lake Coeur d’Alene with strong mining-era history and ongoing restoration; popular for fishing and river recreation.

Quick facts: Length: ~37 miles (main stem) · Historic mining impacts and current cleanup efforts.

Significant contamination from historic mining; EPA and tribal-led restoration projects have been ongoing for decades.

Angling for trout and other species, rafting/kayaking in cleaner stretches, and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes follows parts of the river corridor.

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Chatcolet Lake

Within Heyburn State Park and connected to Lake Coeur d’Alene — popular for boating, picnicking and park amenities.

Quick facts: Public ramps, campgrounds and picnic areas; historically connected to steamboat excursions.

Heyburn State Park provides boat ramps, campgrounds, restrooms and trails for visitors to Chatcolet.

Named from the Coeur d’Alene language; site of historic steamboat excursions and bridge crossings that shaped park access.

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Chain Lakes

A connected series of shallow lakes and wetlands formed by river meanders — excellent for paddling, birding and quiet recreation.

Quick facts: Wetland habitat · Connected channels · Important restoration area due to historic mining impacts.

Extensive wetlands support waterfowl, swans, osprey and other birds; restoration work is ongoing in parts of the Chain Lakes.

Kayaking, canoeing and wildlife viewing are popular — much of the area is managed as wildlife habitat.

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Cocolalla Lake

Cocolalla Lake

Located south of Sandpoint, Cocolalla is a mid-sized lake known historically for its ice-harvesting industry and today for boating and sailing.

Quick facts: Boat ramps: multiple · Surface area: ~805 acres · Campground and public facilities available.

Noted for its early 20th-century ice industry; remnants of that era are part of local history exhibits.

Sailing, boating, fishing and swimming are common; sheltered bays offer day-use access and paddling routes.

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Elsie Lake

High-elevation alpine lake in the Coeur d’Alene National Forest — remote, scenic and valued for trout fishing and quiet hiking access.

Quick facts: Small alpine lake · Elevation: ~5,072 ft · Access: rough forest roads or long hikes.

Remote forest roads and trails; 4WD recommended for some approaches.

Brook and rainbow trout are commonly caught; lake often stocked for anglers.

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Fernan Lake

Fernan Lake

Small lake just east of Coeur d’Alene with recreation access and known water-quality sensitivity (algal blooms).

Quick facts: Boat ramp: Yes · Surface area: ~423 acres · Watch for seasonal algae advisories.

Fernan Lake is eutrophic and occasionally experiences harmful algal blooms; local monitoring programs guide advisories.

Popular with local boaters and anglers; Fernan Lake Natural Open Space provides trails and passive recreation.

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Hayden Lake

Hayden Lake

Large, deep lake near Coeur d’Alene with marinas, historic resorts and extensive recreational infrastructure.

Quick facts: Boat ramps: Yes · Surface area: ~3,800 acres · Popular for boating and waterfront dining.

Historic resorts, early rail access and notable estates shaped Hayden Lake’s recreation-driven growth in the 20th century.

Marinas, rentals, waterfront dining and public access points make it a central recreation lake for the region.

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Hauser Lake

Mid-sized lake with public park and launch, known historically for resort culture and modern residential development.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: Yes · Surface area: ~600 acres · Facilities: park, restrooms, parking.

Hauser Lake Park provides a developed public ramp, restrooms, and picnic facilities.

Once a resort destination; rail access and logging shaped local development around Hauser Lake.

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Hidden Lake

Remote alpine tarn in the Selkirk Mountains; a pristine, high-elevation destination for experienced hikers and trout anglers.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: No · Elevation: ~5,446 ft · Access: trail-only in many cases.

Trail access via Selkirk Range routes; plan for alpine conditions and limited services.

Habitat for high-elevation species including mountain goats, moose and occasional bears; carry out all waste.

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Jewel Lake

Small, secluded lake near Sagle — popular for quiet boating and stocked trout fishing; electric motors only in some spots.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: limited · Size: ~34–47 acres · Motors: electric-only in some areas.

Primitive ramp and dock, no campground; electric motors preferred to preserve quiet lake character.

Often stocked with trout; good for quiet fly-fishing and small-boat angling.

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Killarney Lake

Killarney Lake

Part of the Coeur d’Alene River Wildlife Management Area; rustic camping and public ramp with island camping access.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: Yes · Managed campsites · Popular for bass and pike fishing.

BLM-managed ramp, primitive campsites and vault toilets; island camping requires boat access.

Bass, pike and panfish are commonly caught; good ice-fishing in winter when accessible.

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Medicine Lake

Medicine Lake

One of the Chain Lakes east of Coeur d’Alene, valued for fishing and small-boat recreation with a documented ramp and dock.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: Yes · Surface area: ~204–238 acres · Fish: northern pike, smallmouth bass, perch.

Public ramp and dock are available; road access via local county routes from I-90 exits.

Area influenced by early logging and mill operations; hydrology affected historically by mining runoff in the region.

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Lake Pend Oreille

Lake Pend Oreille

Idaho’s largest and deepest lake with extensive marinas, naval research history and excellent deep-water fishing.

Quick facts: Length: ~65 miles · Max depth: >1,100 ft · Major marinas and state park access.

Used for naval acoustic testing, WWII Farragut training station, and as a major recreational destination.

Sailing, deep-water trout and kokanee fisheries, multiple marinas and state park facilities support year-round recreation.

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Priest Lake

Known as “Idaho’s Crown Jewel” — large, scenic and remote with multiple resorts, marinas and vast forested shoreline.

Quick facts: Surface area: ~26,000 acres · Length: ~19 miles · Max depth: ~369 ft.

Multiple marinas and private lodges; CCC-era improvements and state park facilities support visitor services.

Boating, hiking, camping and winter snowmobiling; a major wilderness and recreation focus in northern Idaho.

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Rose Lake

Rose Lake

Chain Lake with timber-town history and a preserved schoolhouse; a quiet lake popular for fishing and small-boat recreation.

Quick facts: Boat ramp: Yes · Surface area: ~354–371 acres · Historical community and schoolhouse nearby.

Once a lumber town with a vibrant community in the early 1900s; the old schoolhouse is a local landmark.

Fishing, small-boat paddling and local day-use areas make Rose Lake a pleasant chain-lake destination.

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Round Lake

Small state park lake noted for its nearly circular shape; offers a campground and swimming beach.

Quick facts: Surface area: ~58 acres · Max depth: ~34 ft · Round Lake State Park manages day use and campgrounds.

Campground, beach, non-motorized boat access and interpretive trails are managed by Idaho State Parks.

Great for paddling, swimming and family camping with easy access and trails.

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Swan Lake

Wetland-rich Chain Lake important for migratory waterfowl and birding; seasonal water levels influence boating access.

Quick facts: Wetland habitat · Boat ramp: primitive · Excellent birdwatching.

Critical wetland habitat for migratory birds, waterfowl and local wildlife — great for nature observation.

Managed as a WMA with primitive launches and limited facilities; check seasonal conditions.

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Spirit Lake

Spirit Lake

Historic and scenic lake with deep water and community amenities; known for its spiritual place in tribal stories and robust recreation.

Quick facts: Surface area: ~1,445 acres · Max depth: ~100 ft · Public launches and city park access.

Called “Tesemini” by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe; early logging and resort eras shaped the town and lake use.

Fishing, boating and city-run launches provide good public access and tourism amenities.

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Spokane River

Spokane River

Major river draining Lake Coeur d’Alene west into Washington — important for hydroelectric power, recreation and regional history.

Quick facts: Length: ~111 miles · Urban falls in Spokane · Multiple dams and trails along the river.

Series of dams provide power and recreation; Riverfront Park and falls are a major urban attraction in Spokane.

Kayaking, fishing, trails and riverfront amenities are popular along the Spokane River corridor.

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Thompson Lake

Part of the Chain Lakes with rich wetland habitat — excellent for birdwatching, paddling and fishing.

Quick facts: Surface area: ~453 acres · Wetland habitat and wildlife management area.

Managed as part of a WMA; supports migratory birds, moose and other wetland species.

Canoeing, kayaking and seasonal fishing — most access is primitive and managed by the WMA.

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Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes

Upper and Lower Twin Lakes connected by a channel — popular for watersports, fishing and seasonal cabins.

Quick facts: Combined surface area: ~850–900 acres · Public launch on Lower Twin Lake.

Public boat launch on Lower Twin and seasonal services; small resorts and cabins dot the shoreline.

Boating, skiing, fishing and ice-fishing in winter — a versatile twin-lake recreation complex.

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