Fishing Guide

Bass Fishing

Spring: April - May

Fish shallow depths in the warmest water you can find. such as Coeur d’Alene city beach or the chain lakes. Lures: Rattle Traps, Crank Baits and Tube Jigs

Summer: May - June

Fish docks with Crank Baits and Tube Jigs Summer months- Fish farther out to about 30’ of water depending on the thermo climate. Lures: ¼ oz & 3/8 oz lead headed jigs with twin tail grubs. Fish slow on the bottom.

Chinook Salmon Fishing

Spring: Late February - April

The Salmon are usually in the top 30’ of water. Use Herring, Rapalas and Diving Plugs. Most of the fish are going to be on the South end of the lake such as Powder Horn, Rockford Bay south to Harrison.

Summer: April - September

Usually the Salmon are 30’-80’ deep. Use 11” Flasher, Herring, 11” Flasher Fly, Dodger Fly, Dodger Herring, 8” Flasher, Mini Squids. Places to fish are: East Point, Driftwood Point, Arrow Point, Stevens Point and main body of the lake.

Fall: September - December

Fish 70’-100’ deep. Use mostly 8” Flasher, and Mini Squids. Herring is good but most Mini Squids are better. Places to fish are: Mid lake, Carlin bay and Lofts Bay area.

Winter: December - February

Fish 70’-115’ deep. Run Mini Squid and Herring. Herring is usually better later in the winter. Mid lake is the best location.

Visit our activities page to find information about other Lake CDA fishing guides and charter services.

Fishing License & Regulations

Idaho Fishing License Information

To fish in Idaho any person 14 years of age or older must have a valid fishing license. Anglers younger than 14 do not need a license, but there is a small difference between resident and nonresident youth.

• A resident child under 14 has their own separate fishing limit.
• A nonresident child under 14 must be with someone who has a valid fishing license and their fish are in included in the license holders fishing limit. However, a nonresident child may purchase their own license and have their own limit.

Special fishing permits are need for some activities for both residents and nonresidents:

• Fishing for salmon and steelhead
• Fishing with two poles

Purchase Licenses,Tags and Permits

• At License Vendors
• At IDFG Regional Offices
• With a credit card*
  • Online*
  • Or by Phone: 1-800-554-8685

Idaho Fishing Regulations

https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/fish

View Idaho Panhandle Region Map and Special Rules Waters

Daily bag limits on Coeur d’Alene Lake

• Chinook salmon limit is 2, none under 20 inches
• Bass limit is 6, largemouth and smallmouth combined
• Kokanee limit is 15 (limit on tribal waters is 25)
• Trout limit is 6, except
  • Cutthroat, no harvest
  • Bull Trout, catch and release only
  • Brook Trout, limit of 25

Coeur d’Alene Tribe Fishing Regulations (applies on tribal waters)

https://www.cdatribe-nsn.gov/nr/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/02/2021_resident_nonresident_regulations-final.pdf

Invasive Species Permit

https://idfg.idaho.gov/info/boat-stickers

Who needs an Invasive Species Sticker?

Idaho law requires the owner of any boat and any non-motorized vessel to buy and display an Idaho Invasive Species Fund sticker to legally launch and operate the boat in Idaho.

This includes:

• motor boats,
• jet boats,
• canoes,
• kayaks,
• rafts,
• drift boats

This does not include:

• inflatable, non-motorized vessels less than 10 feet long

Important Note To Boaters with vessels requiring Idaho registration:

For all vessels requiring registration in Idaho, the Invasive Species fee is included in the registration price. This separate Invasive Species Sticker is not required.