Pend Oreille Lake

Surface Area

148 sq miles

Average Depth

466 feet

Max Depth

1,152 feet

Fishing Access

16+ Ramps, Numerous Docks, Shore

Pend Oreille Lake Fish Stocking Records

Pend Oreille Lake, located in northern Idaho, is the state’s largest lakes and the fifth deepest in the country at 1,158 feet deep.

The lake covers approximately 148 square miles with 111 miles of shoreline. In fact, this lake hosts a Naval Acoustic Research Detachment where sonar systems are tested out of Bayview, Idaho. From Denton Slough near the Clark Fork River, to Farragut State Park and the Sandpoint Long Bridge, the lake’s stunning natural beauty is framed by the Selkirk, Cabinet, and Bitterroot mountain ranges. The lake serves as a recreational hub for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.

LAKE PEND OREILLE BOAT ACCESS

Lake Pend Oreille offers numerous public boat launches spread across its shoreline, providing access for everything from small fishing boats to large watercraft. Popular launch sites include City Beach in Sandpoint, Farragut State Park, and Garfield Bay, each with parking and facilities nearby. With multiple ramps positioned around the lake, anglers can easily reach both deep-water and nearshore fishing areas.

PUblic Shore Access

Shore fishing is available at many public parks and access points, including Sandpoint City Beach, Farragut State Park, and the Hope waterfront. These areas often feature docks, piers, and maintained shorelines, making them ideal for both bank fishing and family outings. While much of the shoreline is privately owned, the extensive network of public sites ensures plenty of opportunities to fish from shore.

Lake Pend Oreille Fish Species Guide

Resident Species

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Brown/Cutthroat/Bull Trout, Lake Whitefish

Stocked Species

Kokanee Salmon, Kamloops Rainbow Trout

Invasive Species

Mackinaw, Walleye

Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee salmon are a landlocked form of sockeye that have been a central part of the Lake Pend Oreille fishery since their introduction in the 1930s. Fishing typically peaks from late spring through early fall. Most average 11–15 inches, though some can exceed 17 inches. They school in deeper open water and are prized for their firm, flavorful red meat. Feeding primarily on plankton, kokanee are best targeted by trolling small spoons, spinners, or hoochies behind dodgers. In summer, they hold deep—often 50 to 90 feet—while in spring and fall they move higher in the water column, making them more accessible to flat-line trolling.

Fish early morning – Kokanee bite best at first light before boat traffic increases.
Target deeper schools in summer – Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach 40–80 feet.
Match the forage – Small pink, orange, or white lures mimic plankton; add scent to improve strikes.
Adjust depth seasonally – Fish shallower in spring and fall when surface temps are cooler.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass are abundant in Lake Pend Oreille, thriving in its rocky points, gravel flats, and submerged structure. Fishing is best from late spring through early fall, with peak action during the spawn in late May to early June. Most fish range from 1 to 3 pounds, though trophy bass over 5 pounds are possible. They feed on crayfish, perch, and other small fish, making crankbaits, tube jigs, soft plastics, and topwater lures productive choices. In summer, smallmouth often hold near deeper rock piles and drop-offs, moving shallower during low-light periods or when baitfish are present.

Tips for Success!

Work rocky structure – Points, ledges, and boulder-strewn shorelines hold smallmouth year-round.
Use moving baits in warm water – Crankbaits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits draw reaction strikes.
Go finesse in clear water – Tubes, drop-shot worms, and Ned rigs excel in summer conditions.
Follow seasonal depth changes – Fish shallow in spring, deeper in summer, and mid-depth in fall.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass inhabit the weedy bays, coves, and sheltered shorelines of Lake Pend Oreille, where they use vegetation and docks for cover. Fishing is best from late spring through early fall, with peak activity during the pre-spawn and spawn in late May to early June. Most bass range from 1 to 3 pounds, but fish over 5 pounds are caught each year. They feed on bluegill, perch, crayfish, and other prey, making soft plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater lures effective choices. In summer, largemouth often hold near deeper weed edges or shaded structure, returning to shallow cover as water cools in the fall.

Tips for Success!

Target shallow cover in summer – Docks, weed edges, and submerged logs hold feeding bass.
Use slow presentations in spring – Soft plastics and jigs work well during the pre-spawn and spawn.
Go topwater in low light – Poppers, frogs, and buzzbaits excel early morning and evening.
Match forage – Green pumpkin, white, and shad-colored lures mimic common prey

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout are a key sport fish in Lake Pend Oreille, offering good action throughout much of the year. Most range from 12 to 20 inches, with trophy fish exceeding 20 pounds possible in deeper waters. They are found both nearshore and in open water, feeding on insects, minnows, and kokanee. Trolling spoons, plugs, or flies is highly effective, especially when paired with downriggers or lead core line to reach deeper fish during summer. In cooler months, rainbows often move closer to the surface, making them more accessible to flat-line trolling or shoreline anglers.

Tips for Success!

Fish early or late – Trout bite best at dawn and dusk, especially in low-light conditions.
Troll deep in summer – Use a dodger and short leader with corn or a worm when trout move to cooler depths.
Use the right bait from shore – PowerBait or marshmallows on a sliding rig work great in the shallows during spring, fall, and winter.
Follow the stocking schedule – Fishing tends to heat up shortly after each stocking, so time your trips accordingly.

Fishing Lake Pend Oreille

Kokanee are a summer favorite, cherished for their abundance and excellent flavor. The lake is also home to a robust population of lake trout (mackinaw), and trophy-sized rainbow trout. Bass enthusiasts can find both smallmouth and largemouth bass in the lake’s warmer, shallow areas, while panfish and perch provide a perfect option for beginners and family-friendly fishing outings. Fishing opportunities are available throughout the year, although ice fishing is rare due to the lake’s tendency not to freeze completely. As we explore the area, more details will follow. For now, we have only accessed Lake Pend Oreille from Farragut State Park, the docks in Bayview Idaho, and Denton Slough, near the Clark Fork River. All of the above are fantastic fishing spots and will provide year-round fish.

Pend Oreille Lake Access

Lake Pend Oreille is the largest lake in Idaho, so there are more access points than we can list here, but we’ve included the most popular and notable places around the lake.

Sandpoint is located on the north side of the lake and has multiple boat launches and access points, including the popular Sandpoint City Beach. Located near downtown, Sandpoint City Beach includes a boat launch, docks, marina, park, and beach.

On the west side towards the middle of the lake is Garfield Bay which includes shore access, a boat launch, docks, a small park, and campground.

On the south side of the lake is the small town of Bayview and Farragut State Park which both include a boat launch and docks. Along with plenty of shore access, camping, and other entertainment at the 4,000-acre Farragut State Park.

Easy drive from Coeur D’ Alene!

Lake Pend Oreille is just a scenic drive from Coeur d’Alene, making it a top choice for both quick getaways and full-day fishing adventures. With multiple public boat launches, marinas, and shore access points spread around its vast shoreline, it’s easy to find a spot to launch or cast a line. Whether you’re heading out for deep-water trolling or relaxing along the shore, the lake’s size and amenities make it a versatile destination for anglers of all kinds.

Pend Oreille