Anglers planning to fish in or near Boyer Slough in Lake Pend Oreille should be aware of the public health advisory recently issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and Panhandle Health District.
Sagle Slough and Comeback Bay in Lake Pend Oreille have been under public health advisories since early August.
Full details of the advisory for Boyer Slough can be found here. Questions about the advisory should be directed to Panhandle Health at (208) 415-5108 or DEQ at (208) 769-1422.
The advisory was issued in response to toxic algae blooms in the slough. Please note that Lake Pend Oreille is not under an advisory, only Boyer Slough, Comeback Bay and Sagle Slough.
Toxic algae blooms are becoming more common during the hot, dry months of summer as water quality conditions decline. Updated information on algae blooms in northern Idaho can be found here.
Fishing in lakes with advisories is safe, and fish can be safely harvested. If anglers choose to harvest fish, we suggest following Panhandle Health recommendations to remove all fat, skin and organs before cooking, since toxins are more likely to collect in those tissues.
If fishing in lakes with advisories is a concern, Idaho is home to many other great fishing opportunities! Check out our Idaho Fishing Planner to plan your next trip. Also make sure to check out our fish stocking schedules across the state so you time your trip just right.
Contact your local Idaho Fish and Game Regional office for more information on fishing opportunities across the state.