Dawson Lake

Kootenai River Drainage

  • Recommended Fishing Water

Dawson Lake in Boundary County is 29.9 acres.

Facilities

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

Recommended Game Fish

Species Observed in Surveys

Fish Stocking Records

Date Species Quantity General Size
2023/05/18 Tiger Muskie 15 Catchable (6+ inches)
2022/05/16 Tiger Muskie 20 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2021/05/17 Tiger Muskie 20 Catchable (6+ inches)
2020/06/09 Tiger Muskie 20 Catchable (6+ inches)
2019/06/13 Tiger Muskie 40 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/06/13 Tiger Muskie 40 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2017/06/19 Tiger Muskie 40 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/05/25 Tiger Muskie 32 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/06/08 Tiger Muskie 40 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/06/24 Tiger Muskie 50 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/06/13 Tiger Muskie 50 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/06/26 Tiger Muskie 49 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/06/22 Tiger Muskie 43 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/06/13 Tiger Muskie 40 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/09/29 Tiger Muskie 55 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1993/10/07 Tiger Muskie 50 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/09/30 Channel Catfish 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/11/04 Tiger Muskie 35 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1991/05/10 Channel Catfish 2,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1990/09/21 Channel Catfish 2,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1990/09/19 Bluegill 9,000 Unknown Size
1990/09/10 Tiger Muskie 110 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1990/07/24 Gammarus 8 Unknown Size
1989/09/30 Channel Catfish 2,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1989/09/27 Tiger Muskie 100 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1989/08/30 Bluegill 130 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

Fishing Rules, 2022 - 2024

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 after the second day of the season.

Special Rules

Dawson Lake
  • Electric motors only
Panhandle Region Bag Limits
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

  • Bass limit is 6, both species combined

Brook Trout

  • Brook Trout limit is 25

Bull Trout

  • Bull Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release

Burbot

  • Burbot limit is 6

Chinook Salmon (land-locked)

  • Chinook Salmon limit is 2, none under 20 inches

Kokanee

  • Kokanee limit is 15

Sturgeon

  • Fishing for or targeting sturgeon in the Kootenai River is illegal
  • Sturgeon limit is 0, catch-and-release

Tiger Muskie

  • Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches

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

  • Trout limit is 6, all species combined
  • Does not include Bull Trout and Brook Trout which are listed separately

Whitefish

  • Whitefish limit is 25

All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

  • No bag, size or possession limit
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