Home / Idaho lakes / Coeur d'Alene Lake
Natural lake raised by a dam

Coeur d'Alene Lake

Kootenai & Benewah Counties, Idaho

Coeur d'Alene Lake stretches 26 miles south from the city of Coeur d'Alene in the Idaho Panhandle. It is known for bass fishing, northern pike, and Chinook salmon and kokanee in open water.

N10 mi
Air temp in Harrison, ID Loading current temperature…
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Surface area27,911 acres
Max depth220 ft
Shoreline109 mi
Boat motorsUnlimited horsepower

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Largemouth Bass●●●●●

Flip and pitch shallow cover and use frogs in summer in the grassy south end.

Smallmouth Bass●●●●○

Fish finesse baits in the deeper, rocky north and middle parts of the lake.

Northern Pike●●●●○

Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.

Chinook Salmon●●●○○

Deep, cold water. Trolled spoons and flies.

Kokanee●●●○○

Landlocked sockeye. Troll small dodgers and hoochies in summer.

Boat launches

11 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

  • Mineral Ridge Boat LaunchPublic
    BLM launch on Wolf Lodge Bay off I-90 east of Coeur d'AleneDirections ↗
  • Harrison Boat LaunchFee
    Kootenai County launch in Harrison at the south end; county pass or daily feeDirections ↗
  • Carlin Bay Boat LaunchFee
    Kootenai County launch, 33911 S Hwy 97, Harrison; fee, restrooms and pump-outDirections ↗
  • Mica Bay Boat LaunchFee
    Kootenai County launch, 8340 S Tall Pines Rd; county pass or daily feeDirections ↗
  • Rockford Bay Boat LaunchFree
    Kootenai County launch on the west shore; no fee at this timeDirections ↗
  • Sunup BayPublic
    Kootenai County managed launch (county launch list)Directions ↗
  • Spokane PointPublic
    Kootenai County managed launch (county launch list)Directions ↗
  • Fuller's LandingPublic
    Kootenai County managed launch (county launch list)Directions ↗
  • Gould's LandingPublic
    Kootenai County managed launch (county launch list)Directions ↗
  • Harlow PointPublic
    Kootenai County managed launch (county launch list)Directions ↗
  • More public accessPublic
    See Idaho Fish & Game or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

SpeciesMin sizeDaily limit
Rainbow Trout
Trout limit 6; no harvest of cutthroat trout; other species not confirmed
See Idaho rules book ↗6 / day combined

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Idaho Department of Fish and Game ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Search more bait shops near Coeur d'Alene Lake ↗

Local tips

  • For largemouth, try the shallow grassy water near Harrison and the Chain Lakes off the Coeur d'Alene River.
  • The bass spawn can run into July here because water temperatures vary so much around the lake.
  • Public ramps include Coeur d'Alene, Higgens Point, Mica Bay and Sun Up Bay.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.

More Idaho lakes

Lake Cascade Priest Lake Dworshak Reservoir Blackfoot Reservoir Palisades Reservoir Brownlee Reservoir Lake Lowell Lake Walcott All Idaho lakes →

Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.