Where to fish in the West this weekend: Coeur d'Alene Lake and 7 more

For the weekend of November 14, Coeur d'Alene Lake has the best outlook in the West. Each lake earns points for good bite ratings on Saturday and Sunday and for light wind, and loses them for strong gusts or a high chance of rain.

The list is ranked; each lake links to its page with the live numbers.

1. 1
   

   Coeur d'Alene Lake, ID

   Work the point drop-off 49°F water

   At 49°F, northern pike are the bet here. Weed edges and shallow bays. Start at a point drop-off in 10 to 24 ft; try dodger and small lure, troll. Plan to cover water: the lake spreads over about 31,900 acres at full pool. Saturday rates good for the bite. Saturday: chance light rain then mostly cloudy, high 50°F, wind 6 mph.

   Photo: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0

2. 2
   

   Flathead Lake, MT

   Lake trout in 46°F water 46°F water

   The water is 46°F and lake trout are feeding. They come shallower; try shore points. Start at a point drop-off in 20 to 30 ft; troll a spoon on deep edges. It is a big piece of water: about 126,000 acres at full pool. Saturday rates good for the bite. Saturday: chance light rain, high 50°F, wind 6 mph.

   Photo: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0

3. 3
   

   Fort Peck Lake, MT

   Best on Saturday 48°F water

   At 48°F, walleye are the bet here. Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark. Start at a wind-blown bank in 10 to 22 ft; try spoon or spinnerbait on the weed edge. It is a big piece of water: about 245,000 acres at full pool. Go Saturday (good bite). Saturday: mostly sunny, high 59°F, wind 7 mph.

   Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, CC BY 2.0

4. 4
   

   Lake Pend Oreille, ID

   Trout in 41°F water 41°F water

   41°F at the surface puts trout first in line. Near the surface and along shorelines. Start at a point drop-off in 20 to 40 ft; troll a spoon on deep edges. It is a big piece of water: about 93,900 acres at full pool. Saturday rates good for the bite. Saturday: chance light rain, high 49°F, wind 7 mph.

   Photo: dknepper, CC BY-SA 3.0

5. 5
   

   New Melones Lake, CA

   570 ft of water to work with 61°F water

   At 61°F, kokanee are the bet here. Work deeper as the day warms. Start at a point drop-off; try spinner or spoon, troll slowly. It is a big piece of water: about 12,500 acres at full pool. Saturday rates good for the bite. Saturday: mostly sunny, high 60°F, wind 5 mph.

   Photo: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (public domain)

6. 6
   

   Bear Lake, UT

   210 ft of water to work with 48°F water

   At 48°F, trout are the bet here. An upper arm in 90 to 94 ft is the place to begin; try spinner or spoon, troll slowly. The lake sits 4.5 ft below its usual level, so fish crowd onto fewer points and short ramps may not reach the water. Go Saturday (good bite). Saturday: rain and snow, high 47°F, wind 8 mph.

   Photo: Hermann Luyken (CC0)

7. 7
   

   Blue Mesa Reservoir, CO

   Lake trout in 48°F water 48°F water

   48°F at the surface puts lake trout first in line. Start at a point drop-off; troll a spoon on deep edges. At about 9,200 acres, it is easy to cover in a morning. Saturday rates good for the bite. Saturday: rain and snow showers, high 50°F, wind 5 mph.

   Photo: Mshuang2 (CC0)

8. 8
   

   Clear Lake, CA

   Largemouth bass in 58°F water 58°F water

   58°F at the surface puts largemouth bass first in line. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves. Start at an upper arm in 36 to 40 ft; try small jig or minnow under a float. Plan to cover water: the lake spreads over about 43,500 acres at full pool. Saturday rates good for the bite. Saturday: slight chance light rain then partly sunny, high 58°F, wind 6 mph.

   Photo: Donnelly-Nolan, Julie M (public domain)