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Idaho · Fishing
Coolin sits at the southern end of Priest Lake, which makes it the practical base for most fishing trips on the water.
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Coolin sits at the southern end of Priest Lake, which makes it the practical base for most fishing trips on the water. Priest Lake is a deep, cold glacial lake in northern Idaho known for holding lake trout (mackinaw), west slope cutthroat, and kokanee salmon — species that thrive in its clear, cold depths. The lake has two main bodies connected by a short thoroughfare, and the upper lake tends to see less pressure. From Coolin, anglers can reach open water quickly by boat, or work the shoreline near the launch. Two of the listings here — Bartoo Island and Kalispell Island boat-in campgrounds — are only accessible by water, which means the fishing around those islands gets a fraction of the pressure that roadside spots see. If you're camping out there, you're also positioned to fish early morning and evening without burning time on a long boat ride. Gear up in Coolin or Priest River before you head out, since there are no tackle shops on the water itself. Idaho fishing regulations apply, and a valid Idaho fishing license is required for anyone 14 and older.
Priest Lake holds lake trout (mackinaw), west slope cutthroat trout, and kokanee salmon. Lake trout are typically caught deep, especially in summer, while cutthroat can be found at shallower depths and are more accessible to shore and small-boat anglers.
You can fish from shore near the Coolin area and along accessible shoreline, but a boat opens up significantly more water. The Bartoo Island and Kalispell Island campgrounds are boat-in only, so reaching those spots requires a motorized or paddled watercraft.
Bartoo Island Boat-In Campground
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Pioneer Park
~43 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Priest Lake Area
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Priest Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Colville River
~1h 21m drive
Easy
Kalispell Island Boat-In Campground
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Yaak River Campground
~1h 10m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Osprey
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Priest Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Luby Bay
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Lower Kootenai River Area
~46 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Keokee Lake
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Late spring through early summer and again in fall tend to be the most productive periods. Kokanee fishing typically picks up in summer, while lake trout are caught year-round but require deeper presentations in the warmer months. Ice fishing is also popular in winter when the lake freezes sufficiently.
Early morning and evening are consistently the most productive windows, particularly for cutthroat near the surface. Staying at one of the boat-in island campgrounds gives you the advantage of being on the water at first light without a long run from the launch.
Yes, an Idaho fishing license is required for anyone 14 years of age or older. You can purchase one online through Idaho Fish and Game or at local sporting goods retailers in the region before arriving in Coolin, as there are no tackle or license vendors directly on the lake.
