Deepest lakes in Idaho: 5 lakes ranked by depth

Deepest first

1. Lake Pend Oreille

At 93,900 acres, Lake Pend Oreille is a huge piece of water. It holds trout, lake trout, kokanee salmon and northern pike. It goes down to about 1152 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look.

Lake Pend Oreille today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Redfish Lake

Redfish Lake spreads over about 1,450 acres. The lake is within an easy drive of Boise (about 70 miles). The usual Idaho mix applies: trout, lake trout and yellow perch. It goes down to about 387 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Redfish Lake is named for the sockeye salmon that once turned its waters red during spawning season.

Redfish Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Priest Lake

Priest Lake is a natural lake of some 26,000 acres. The lake is about 58 miles south of Spokane Valley. The fish here are trout, lake trout and kokanee salmon. It goes down to about 369 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Priest Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Payette Lake

Payette Lake spreads over 5,060 acres of water. It lies next to McCall. The fish here are trout, lake trout, kokanee salmon and muskie. The deepest water is around 304 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work. Payette Lake, at McCall, was formed by glacial activity and is stocked with tiger muskie as a trophy fishery.

Payette Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Coeur d'Alene Lake

At some 31,900 acres, Coeur d'Alene Lake is a big lake. Largemouth bass, northern pike, kokanee salmon and trout are the draw. It goes down to about 194 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Coeur d'Alene Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Fishing deep water

In summer a deep lake splits into a warm top layer and a cold bottom; fish hold near the line between them, often 20 to 40 ft down. A depth finder, a slow troll or a jig dropped straight down finds them.