Fishing Report For Coeur d'Alene Lake, ID

By Rick Seaman

April 25, 2025

Popular Fish Species Reports
Coeur d'Alene Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Today's Weather & Forecast
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Fishing Report Coeur d'Alene Lake, ID

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Coeur d'Alene Lake, ID

Largemouth Bass

Current Report: Good To Very Good
Outlook: Very Good

Largemouths' are starting to thing about the spawn, and bulking up in preparation. The murkier water on the southern end of the lake warms quicker than the clear water up north. Largemouth are being caught all over the lake, but feel more comfortable with a bit of stain in the water. Stealth approaches using squarebill crankbaits, jerkbaits and vibrating jigs are catching nice fish now. When the bite slows down, anglers are switching to stick worms and catching good fish. Largemouth in the double-digit range swim in numerous places throughout the lake. Tournament organizations report five-fish limits weighing between 20 and 30 pounds are what it typically takes to win first prize.

Smallmouth Bass

Current Report: Good To Very Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

The smallmouth bass fishery here is exceptional. Plenty of four to five pound smallies are caught with regularity. Once the water warms, topwater will get bites both early and late in the day. Smallmouth like crankbaits, and they are a good way to cover lots of water. The fishing is often good on cold, windy, cloudy and rainy days. Once the smallies move off the bank, tube baits and drop shots are catching fish on rocky shorelines and points. The first ten miles or so, heading south from the town of Coeur d'Alene, is the clearer water in the lake and offers plenty of rocky areas which are ideal for smallmouth.

Northern Pike

Current Report: Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Spring, which is arriving now, is the prime time to catch a big northern pike here. They prowl the shallows in search of something to eat. Fishing with smelt, using a bobber, is catching fish all over the lake. However, many of the better quality fish are coming on larger lures in bright colors. Topwater will catch a bunch of fish, especially once the water warms into the 50's. Look for shallow weedy areas, and there are probably a few pike hanging around.

Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow perch, chinook salmon, kokanee salmon, northern pike and tiger muskie at Coeur d'Alene Lake in Idaho.

Coeur d'Alene Lake is a 27,900-acre lake with 109 miles of shoreline. This lake surrounded by beauty, offers excellent fishing for bass, crappie, trout, northern pike, sunfish, perch, salmon, and muskie. Access for fishing from the bank is available at numerous places around the lake.

Primary fish species to catch

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Click here for fishing boat rentals available at this lake.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.

Marinas

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Fishing License

Click here for a Idaho Fishing License.

Map - Fishing & Access

Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".