Priest Lake
A deep, clear lake in the Selkirk Mountains of the Idaho Panhandle, about 19 miles long and 80 miles northeast of Spokane. It is known for lake trout, including a former U.S. record, plus smallmouth bass and cutthroat trout.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Lake Trout
Best catch rates on the lake. Limits of 16 to 22 inch fish are common; jig or troll deep structure.
Smallmouth Bass
Rocky shorelines and points in late spring and summer.
Cutthroat Trout
Harvest is tightly limited. Upper Priest Lake is catch-and-release for cutthroat and bull trout.
Kokanee
Lower numbers than nearby Pend Oreille because of abundant lake trout. Troll in summer.
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Kalispell Bay Boat LaunchFeeUSFS. Dock, vault toilets, no drinking water; $10 per vehicle per day, day use onlyDirections ↗
- Indian CreekFeePriest Lake State Park launch; feeDirections ↗
- CoolinPublicBonner County launch at the south end; not advised at low poolDirections ↗
- Priest Lake MarinaMarinaPrivate marina next to the Kalispell Bay launchDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Trout Only 2 may be cutthroat trout | No cutthroat under 16 in | 6 / day |
| Kokanee Priest Lake special rule | See Idaho rules book ↗ | 6 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Idaho Department of Fish and Game ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Priest Lake ↗Local tips
- Some county launches are not usable at low fall pool; use Kalispell Bay or the state park when levels drop.
- Upper Priest Lake, reached through The Thorofare, is catch-and-release for cutthroat and bull trout.
- Eurasian milfoil has been found here; clean, drain and dry your boat.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Idaho lakes
Coeur d'Alene Lake Lake Cascade 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.