McArthur Lake

Flows into the Deep Creek

  • Recommended Fishing Water

McArthur Lake in Bonner and Boundary Counties is 422.4 acres.

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This small, man-made reservoir was created in a narrow valley between the Selkirk and Cabinet ranges with the waters of Deep Creek and Dodge Creek. Many species of waterfowl use these waters for migratory stopovers or breeding grounds, and along with bald eagles, osprey, swans and a suite of songbirds, McArthur Lake has earned a spot on the Idaho Birding Trail. Big game such as moose, elk and white-tailed deer are often spotted among the forested wetland areas. Bring binoculars with your tackle box and decoys!

Facilities

Motor Restriction
No
Boat Ramp
Yes
Dock
Yes
Toilet
Yes
Campground
No
ADA Access
Handicap Accessible

Directions

McArthur Lake is easily accessible from US Hwy 95 by turning west on McArthur Lake Rd, 1.5 miles north of the Boundary-Bonner County line. Fishing from the floating dock and shoreline is encouraged, and boats may put in from the boat ramp in the NE corner of the WMA.

Recommended Game Fish

Species Observed in Surveys

Fish Stocking Records

Date
Species
Quantity
General Size
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Date
Species
Quantity
General Size
1998/06/18 Rainbow Trout 405 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/06/05 Rainbow Trout 400 Catchable (6+ inches)
1995/05/04 Brook Trout 2,967 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/11/03 Brook Trout 29,970 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/08/21 Brook Trout 2,360 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/08/20 Brook Trout 4,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/07/19 Chinook Salmon - Fall 2,125 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/06/29 Brook Trout 4,700 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/06/28 Brook Trout 4,700 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/06/09 Brook Trout 5,610 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/05/26 Brook Trout 51,408 Fry (0-3 inches)
1982/05/20 Brook Trout 4,720 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/03/23 Brook Trout 7,200 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1981/10/23 Brook Trout 17,920 Fry (0-3 inches)
1981/10/17 Brook Trout 15,360 Fry (0-3 inches)
1981/06/24 Brook Trout 40,192 Fry (0-3 inches)
1981/06/23 Brook Trout 40,192 Fry (0-3 inches)
1980/05/16 Brook Trout 66,560 Fry (0-3 inches)
1980/04/26 Brook Trout 6,272 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1980/04/18 Brook Trout 11,760 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1980/04/15 Brook Trout 11,760 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1979/03/13 Brook Trout 44,912 Fry (0-3 inches)
1978/09/21 Brook Trout 7,440 Fry (0-3 inches)
1978/06/16 Brook Trout 32,600 Fry (0-3 inches)
1978/05/30 Rainbow Trout 5,040 Catchable (6+ inches)
1978/04/28 Brook Trout 990 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1978/03/02 Brook Trout 61,776 Fry (0-3 inches)
1977/09/30 Brook Trout 32,438 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1977/08/31 Brook Trout 51,944 Fry (0-3 inches)
1977/08/30 Brook Trout 48,320 Fry (0-3 inches)
1974/05/21 Brook Trout 4,770 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1974/05/09 Brook Trout 5,300 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/05/18 Rainbow Trout 1,440 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/05/14 Rainbow Trout 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/04/17 Brook Trout 2,046 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1972/06/22 Rainbow Trout 1,680 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/06/16 Cutthroat Trout - Unspecified 4,025 Fry (0-3 inches)
1971/06/15 Rainbow Trout 2,125 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/04/21 Brook Trout 4,028 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1970/09/14 Brook Trout 2,584 Fry (0-3 inches)
1970/07/14 Brook Trout 1,508 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1970/04/28 Rainbow Trout 1,520 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/08/26 Rainbow Trout 2,720 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/06/11 Brook Trout 4,050 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1968/06/06 Rainbow Trout 805 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/05/08 Brook Trout 4,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

There are no motor restrictions on the lake. However, watercraft with shallow draft and small motors are recommended due to the lakeΓÇÖs overall shallow depth and underwater stump hazards. Kayaks, canoes and other paddlecraft are an excellent way to experience the lakeΓÇÖs fish and wildlife.

Fishing Rules, 2025 - 2027

All Waters Open All Year

Except as modified in Special Rules
Fishing is not allowed within the posted upstream and downstream boundary of any fish weir or trap.

Daily Bag Limits

The following daily bag limits apply to all waters within each region except as modified in the Special Rules. The possession limit is 3-times the daily bag limit.

Special Rules

No Special Rules for McArthur Lake.
Panhandle Region Bag Limits
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

  • Bass limit is 6, both species combined

Brook Trout

  • Brook Trout limit is 25
  • Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for Brook Trout

Bull Trout

  • Bull Trout - catch-and-release

Burbot

  • Burbot limit is 6

Chinook Salmon (land-locked)

  • Chinook Salmon limit is 2, none under 24 inches

Kokanee

  • Kokanee limit is 15

Northern Pike (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.)

  • No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged

Sturgeon

  • Fishing for sturgeon in the Kootenai River is illegal
  • Sturgeon caught incidentally must be released immediately

Tiger Muskie

  • Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches

Trout includes Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Arctic Grayling, trout hybrids (e.g. Tiger Trout)

  • Trout limit is 6, all species combined
  • Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately

Walleye (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.)

  • No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged

Whitefish

  • Whitefish limit is 25
  • Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for whitefish

All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

  • No bag, length, or possession limit
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