Ice fishing in Idaho: 10 lakes and how to stay safe

Ice first

Those figures are for clear, solid new ice. White or snow ice is about half as strong, so double them. Ice is never the same thickness across a lake: check it with a spud or auger every few steps, stay away from inlets, outlets, springs and pressure ridges, and follow your state agency's advice.

1. Lake Pend Oreille

Lake Pend Oreille covers some 93,900 acres. The fish here are trout, lake trout, northern pike and kokanee salmon. At about 1152 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

2. Coeur d'Alene Lake

At 31,900 acres of water, Coeur d'Alene Lake is a big lake. The fish here are northern pike, trout, largemouth bass and kokanee salmon. At about 194 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

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

3. Lake Cascade

Lake Cascade covers 30,100 acres of water. The lake is right by Cascade. It holds yellow perch, trout, smallmouth bass and kokanee salmon. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start. Lake Cascade is one of Idaho's top yellow perch fisheries. Under the ice, yellow perch: cold. Deep schools; small jigs or minnows.

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

4. Priest Lake

Priest Lake spreads over 26,000 acres of water. You will find it about 58 miles south of Spokane Valley. Trout, lake trout and kokanee salmon are the draw. The deepest water is around 369 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

5. Blackfoot Reservoir

At 18,000 acres of water, Blackfoot Reservoir is a big lake. The lake is within an easy drive of Idaho Falls (about 35 miles). Blackfoot Dam holds it on the Blackfoot River (Idaho). It holds trout. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Blackfoot Reservoir is a large irrigation reservoir known for its cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

Blackfoot Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. C J Strike Reservoir

C J Strike Reservoir is a reservoir of 7,500 acres of water. The lake is near Mountain Home. Crappie, bluegill, trout and yellow perch are the draw. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. C.J. Strike Reservoir, where the Bruneau River meets the Snake River, supports a diverse warm-water and trout fishery and a population of white sturgeon. Under the ice, crappie: cold. Tight schools near deep brush and bridges.

C J Strike Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Henrys Lake

Henrys Lake spreads over some 6,080 acres. The lake is near West Yellowstone. It holds trout. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

8. Payette Lake

At 5,060 acres of water, Payette Lake is a good-sized lake. You will find it next to McCall. Trout, lake trout, walleye and crappie are the draw. It goes down to about 304 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look. Payette Lake, at McCall, was formed by glacial activity and is stocked with tiger muskie as a trophy fishery. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

9. American Falls Reservoir

At about 49,200 acres, American Falls Reservoir is a big lake. You will find it right by American Falls. It is the Snake River behind American Falls Dam. Like most lakes its size in Idaho, it should hold walleye, crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work. American Falls Reservoir is a major irrigation storage reservoir on the Snake River in southeastern Idaho. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

American Falls Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Dworshak Reservoir

At some 17,100 acres, Dworshak Reservoir is a big lake. The lake is near Orofino. Dworshak Dam holds it on the North Fork Clearwater River. Like most lakes its size in Idaho, it should hold walleye, crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Dworshak Reservoir was formed by damming the North Fork Clearwater River, which once held one of the finest wild steelhead runs in the world. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Dworshak Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

What to bring

• Ice picks around your neck and a throw rope
• A spud bar or auger to test as you walk
• A flotation suit or life jacket on early and late ice
• A friend, and someone on shore who knows where you went
• Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow or waxie