Lake Pend Oreille Fishing Guide - Panhandle Idaho

Lake Pend Oreille

Idaho's largest lake at 92,764 acres and one of the deepest inland lakes in North America (1,170+ feet). Formed by glaciers, encircled by mountain peaks. Home to the world record Bull Trout (32 lbs) and state record Kamloops Rainbow (37 lbs). Premier destination fishery.

Region

Panhandle

Type

Lake

Skill Level

intermediate

Best Seasons

spring, summer

Species Listed for This Water

A species listing does not establish an open season or permission to keep a fish. Check the water-specific rules below before choosing a target species.

Kokanee Salmon Rainbow Trout

Bull Trout

Lake Trout

Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout Mountain Whitefish Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass

Northern Pike

Yellow Perch Walleye

Highlights

Idaho's largest lake

World record Bull Trout

1,170+ feet deep

Regulations

Special Rules for Lake Pend Oreille

No limit on the number of fishing rods per angler while fishing from a boat
Bass limit is 6; only 2 may be Largemouth Bass; no Largemouth Bass under 16 inches
Lake Trout harvest is encouraged; no bag, length, or possession limits; spearfishing is allowed
Cutthroat Trout catch-and-release
Rainbow Trout limit is 2; only 1 may be over 20 inches
Northern Pike harvest is encouraged; open all year; no bag, length, or possession limits; spearfishing is allowed

Falls within the Panhandle Region. General region-wide bag limits apply unless overridden above.

Source: IDFG 2025–2027 Fishing Seasons & RulesIDFG Rules

Getting There

Water reference coordinates

48.1500°N, 116.4000°W

Get Directions View Map

This pin identifies the water, not a verified parking area, boat launch, or legal entry point. Choose an established access site and check road conditions, fees, and land ownership before following directions.

Plan a trip to Lake Pend Oreille

Choose an established shoreline access point or boat launch, then check its seasonal availability. Plan for wind and cold water, and do not infer safe ice from a winter fishing recommendation.

The planning seasons shown above describe when to consider a trip. They are not an opening calendar. Read the rules for Lake Pend Oreille, including section-specific restrictions, and check for current IDFG changes before fishing.

Review Idaho fishing license and permit requirements for everyone in your group.
Find an established fishing or boating access site with IDFG. A map pin does not grant access across private land.
Compare other fishing waters in the Panhandle Region for an alternative if your intended site is closed or unsuitable.

IDFG Stocking Snapshot

Jun 25, 2025

Latest record: Kokanee

137,318 fish · Fry (0-3 inches)

Historical records in this guide may not include the latest stocking. Open the source for current records and schedules.

Recent stocking history (168 events)

2025-06-25Kokanee · 137,318
2023-06-27Kokanee · 299,390
2022-06-21Kokanee · 2,835,056
2017-06-19Kokanee · 310,546
2017-06-16Kokanee · 237,360
2017-06-15Kokanee · 3,894,859
2016-06-22Kokanee · 819,000
2016-06-21Kokanee · 902,175

Source: IDFG Fishing Planner

More in Panhandle

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St. Joe RiverRiver · intermediate

Priest LakeLake · intermediate

Plan Your Trip

Review water details, access points, and live gauge conditions where a reporting station is available.

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