Coeur d'Alene Lake

Also known as: Lake Coeur d'Alene

Locations

USA > West > Idaho

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Coeur d'Alene Lake: Description

Located in the Northern Panhandle of Idaho, Coeur d'Alene Lake's 30,000 acres of surface present a wonderful scenic recreational jewel. The Lake is set among the mountains, surrounded by forests, and the city of Coeur D'Alene sits on the northern end. One third of the southern end of Coeur d'Alene Lake is owned and managed by the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe. Recreational activities are diverse including fishing (both summer and winter through the ice), boating, watersports, sailing, hiking, golf, biking, and wildlife viewing. Three nearby State Parks add to the wonderful recreation potential. Coeur d'Alene Lake has been cited by National Geographic as one of the five most beautiful lakes in the world.

Coeur d'Alene Lake is a natural lake whose depth was increased by the addition of Post Falls Dam in 1906. The dam was created by ten investors and ultimately owned and operated by Avista Utilities for hydroelectric generation, flood control and irrigation. The dam has a generating capacity of 14.75 megawatts from six turbines. Two other dams are part of the complex, but are not hydroelectric generators. The Coeur d'Alene Lake level is controlled naturally except when Avista Utilities drops the level in the fall to create snow melt storage capacity. Sources for the lake include the St. Joe, St Maries and of course the Coeur d'Alene River. Progress continues in mitigating the introduction of mining contamination of the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River, reducing this inflow to Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Coeur d'Alene Parkway State Park, Heyburn State Park and Old Mission State Park - all within a few miles - provide easily accessible fishing, boat ramps, camping, picnicking, hiking and wildlife viewing. There are also lake cruises and guided trips for those interested. The construction of Coeur d'Alene Resort in 1986 brought international notice as one of the preferred destinations. The Resort has the first floating golf green (the 14th) in the world and is a significant challenge to any duffers willing to lose a few balls. The bottom of Coeur d'Alene Lake has a number of old Model T Fords and sunken steamboats (burned when no longer needed), affording enthusiastic divers some interesting sights on their dives. Winter eagle nesting provides an unusual wildlife viewing possibility. For the geocachers, there are over 70 caches located in the area - one on an island.

Fishing is excellent, both in summer and winter. Lake Coeur d'Alene is home to Northern Pike, Crappie, Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout, channel and bullhead catfish, bluegill and perch. Chinook and Kokanee Salmon anglers will find their thrills with Chinooks reaching as much as 42 pounds. In addition, both small mouth and large mouth bass are favorites with frequent Bass Fishing tournaments.

For anyone planning a trip to northern Idaho, Coeur d'Alene Lake is a 'must' experience for a destination.