Porcupine Lake

A quiet 10.5-acre mountain lake in Bonner County. Electric motors only keeps it peaceful. Stocked with rainbow trout and westslope cutthroat fry. A great backcountry fishing experience in the Panhandle region.

Species: Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout. Difficulty: intermediate. Some experience pays off here.

Best timing: Summer and Fall. Summer fishes best at first light and late evening; midday is technical. Fall is prime — heavy feeding before winter, fewer crowds.

Regulations: Panhandle Region Bag Limits. Trout limit 6. Always confirm with the current IDFG rule book before fishing.

Panhandle context

Idaho's Panhandle is defined by its big, deep-water lakes and a temperate, lake-effect climate. Lake Pend Oreille produces Gerrard rainbows and lake trout; Coeur d'Alene Lake holds the state's strongest mixed warm-water fishery (smallmouth, northern pike, perch); the St. Joe is one of the most photographed wild westslope cutthroat rivers in the Lower 48. Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint, and St. Maries are the bases.

Plan for the experience level the fishery rewards.