In 2015, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game stocked Avondale Lake with Rainbow Trout to create a new winter fishing opportunity. Anglers definitely took advantage of this “close to home” fishing opportunity during the mid-winter ice fishing season. Unfortunately, safe ice fishing conditions were short-lived making access to the lake and the new fishing opportunity difficult. Rainbow Trout were again stocked in Avondale Lake in late-September 2016 with hopes the coming ice fishing season will be a better one.
Avondale Lake is a popular ice fishery close to the urban centers of Hayden and Coeur d’Alene. Although the lake hosts a variety of warm water fish like Perch and Bluegill, ice fishing success can be hit or miss. We hope that stocking Rainbow Trout will provide a consistent opportunity to catch fish all winter long. Additionally, these fish will be available to anglers prior to ice-up and again in the spring for those who enjoy fishing Avondale Lake at other times of year.
Fish and Game biologists will be evaluating Rainbow Trout stocking in Avondale Lake to see how well it worked to make fishing better. If Rainbow Trout provide the fishing experience we hope they will, this may be an opportunity we can continue to provide for anglers in future years.
Because of its size and location, Avondale Lake often freezes adequately to allow a safe ice fishing experience. However, anglers should always use caution when venturing out on the ice.
Anglers should note that Avondale Lake is privately owned, but public access is allowed on the southwest side of the lake. Please respect private property owners around the lake while fishing.
