Coeur d’Alene Lake is located in North Idaho, off I-90, less than an hour from Spokane, Washington International Airport. The boats are mostly viewed, but the usual roads that surround the lake are a fabulous day trip, too. It is a naturally formed body of fresh glacial water and is home to a variety of animals, birds and fish. National Geographic Magazine called Coeur d’Alene Lake “one of the five most beautiful alpine lakes in the world.” (from: www.finetravel.com, accessed 2 Sept 2006)
My favorite has been fishing in Coeur d’Alene Lake since my father first introduced me to the joys of wrestling. to Kokanee and Chinook Salmon, circa 1972. “There are fishermen and then there are people who fish,” was one of Dad’s sayings. The best was, “in the middle of the lake I am nearer to God than in any church.” There is no place on earth that rivals the unique beauty of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Truly heaven on earth.
Anglers enjoy the waters of Coeur d’Alene Lake in a variety of ways for several types of fish. Many troll from boats for salmon, with lures and “hidden” baits that include but are not limited to: worms, salmon eggs, corn with various flavors or oils that they say attract fish better. Others fish from public and private docks for perch, catfish and sunchesia, using their versions of food. What a lot of luck using the marshes in one summer! Still others dare to cross into the cold icy water and try fishing for trout.
Beauty Bay is a wonderful spot, and the name is one of the reasons why it remains in my top three eastern side of the lake in the city of Hwy. 97. Squaw Bay Resort offers cabin, boat rental, and marina, lakefront recreational camping, storage, and swimming. It remains the most popular because of the advantages it offers; although it makes noise on summer nights, because of its size and popularity.
To get to Squaw Bay, take I-90 Exit 22, South on Hwy 97, and go 7 miles to Squaw Bay Resort. The sign is quite visible on the right side of the road. The phone number is 208-664-6782.
My favorite, by far, is Echo Bay. Some of my greatest memories were made in Echo Bay. I took Damon camping first there, long before we thought about marriage. He slept in the crib next to my parents’ couch, and my sister woke up early to say “hello” to him when a three-toed slug plopped on his pillow. I spent several moons in the yard with my little version of rebellion when I discovered that night fishing was illegal. The whole family my memories are many, many hours wandering in our small, three-man boat from years ago. Twenty-five kokanee salmon per person is not difficult to find with “secret” bait and a little luck.
The water of Echo Bay is not the easiest to access by road, as it only has private boat access to the lake. It is best to take a boat into Echo Bay from the nearest bay, such as Squaw Bay, noted above, rather than taking a permit from the shores of Echo Bay. It may very well be its remoteness that makes the fishing particularly successful in this bay, but I like to feel that the special fisherman Dad knows-how it stays in Coeur D’Alene A secret lake for our successful fishing adventures!
Sources:
1. Many fishing trips to Coeur d’Alene Lake, recorded since 1972.
2. www.finetravel.com accessed 2 Sept 2006
3. http://itd.idaho.gov accessed 2 Sept 2006
