Lake Pend Oreille Fisheries | Idaho Fish and Game

Lake Pend Oreille provides outstanding angling opportunity, making it one of the most popular fisheries in Idaho.

Lake Pend Oreille is the largest lake in Idaho and supports native fishes, such as Westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout, along with more than 10 non-native species.

There are numerous challenges and complexities to managing a sustainable fishery in Lake Pend Oreille. The most notable example is the near collapse of the kokanee population in the 2000s from excessive predation. An ongoing and aggressive predator management program has greatly recovered both the kokanee population, as well as the trophy potential of the species that feed on kokanee.

A large net trails behind a metal boat on Lake Pend Oreille

State of the Lake

Fisheries staff held their annual State of the Lake public meeting on April 5, 2022, to share updates on latest population trends and research related to kokanee, rainbow trout, lake trout, walleye and more in Lake Pend Oreille.

Walleye from Pend Oreille

Angler Incentive Program

News

Looking for walleye in Lake Pend Oreille? We've got you covered!

Thursday, May 5, 2022 - 3:57 PM MDT

Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologists track acoustic-tagged walleye to learn more about their movements and to help anglers effectively target walleye and participate in the Lake Pend Oreille angler incentive program.

Panhandle Region Lake Pend Oreille Fisheries Fishing Walleye (Sander vitreus)
Annual walleye netting on Lake Pend Oreille is now complete

Wednesday, May 4, 2022 - 11:46 AM MDT

Spring 2022 marked the fifth year of netting operations to help control the walleye population in Lake Pend Oreille.

Panhandle Region Lake Pend Oreille Fisheries Fishing Walleye (Sander vitreus)
Lake Pend Oreille and Pend Oreille River creel surveys in the Panhandle are up and running

Thursday, April 21, 2022 - 11:33 AM MDT

From now until March 2023, Fish and Game will be conducting a creel survey to collect information about how your fishing experience was on the lake and river.

Panhandle Region Lake Pend Oreille Fisheries
A recording of the 2022 Lake Pend Oreille 'State of the Lake' virtual meeting is now available online

Thursday, April 7, 2022 - 7:09 AM MDT

If you missed the 2022 virtual Lake Pend Oreille "State of the Lake" meeting on April 5, you can watch it now on the Lake Pend Oreille Fisheries website, or by clicking the video below.

Lake Pend Oreille Fisheries Panhandle Region Fishing
Tune in for the 2022 Lake Pend Oreille "State of the Lake" meeting April 5 at 6 p.m. PT; view pre-meeting video, submit questions

Friday, April 1, 2022 - 1:56 PM MDT

Fishery staff will share updates on the Lake Pend Oreille fishery at the annual "State of the Lake" virtual public meeting on Tuesday, April 5 starting at 6 p.m. PDT. The public can view the pre-recorded video presentation and ask questions for the virtual event. Register for the meeting Watch pre-meeting video and submit questions

Lake Pend Oreille Fisheries Panhandle Region Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Mark your calendars: F&G will be hosting the Lake Pend Oreille 'State of the Lake' virtual public meeting on April 5

Friday, March 25, 2022 - 3:40 PM MDT

Fishery staff from the Idaho Fish and Game Panhandle Region office will share updates on the Lake Pend Oreille fishery and activities planned for 2022 at the meeting.

Panhandle Region Lake Pend Oreille Fisheries
Lake Pend Oreille Angler Science Program: A win for anglers and for the rainbow trout fishery

Tuesday, February 8, 2022 - 12:04 PM MST

Staff with Idaho Fish and Game and anglers on Lake Pend Oreille struck a sweet partnership to benefit how the rainbow trout fishery in the lake is managed. Anglers got to do what they do best - fish!

Panhandle Region Lake Pend Oreille Fisheries Fishing Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Videos

Answered Questions from the 2022 update of the State of Lake Pend Oreille

Annual update of the State of Lake Pend Oreille