Go Fish! Charters

We fish the lower Clark Fork year-round except during periods of high flows associated with snowmelt runoff (usually May and June). Beginning in December and until Memorial Day weekend, the Clark Fork is restricted to catch and release only for Rainbow Trout. We have the privilege of targeting pre-spawn rainbows at this time, and the Clark Fork is arguably the best place in the U.S. to catch a true giant Kamloops Rainbow Trout with conventional or fly-fishing gear.

We also target Cutthroat, Brown, and Bull Trout at various times of the year, with summer and fall providing excellent fly-fishing. Additionally, Pike, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass provide additional action, but are generally smaller than those found in Lake Pend Oreille. Half day, three-quarters day, and full day trips available.

Lake Pend Oreille (LPO) is the 5th deepest lake in the US, and was made famous decades ago by the size of Rainbow Trout it produced (the world record was caught in 1947). While management favors Rainbow Trout in LPO, many species live here, most are introduced, and several get BIG. It’s worth noting that LPO has two distinctly different habitat types; it is both a deep natural lake and a relatively shallow reservoir. With the exception of Kokanee and trout fishing, most of our time is spent on the shallower north end. We typically start fishing LPO in earnest sometime in March, targeting Walleye and Pike. Smallmouth Bass soon follow and remain a top option for fun fishing throughout spring, summer and into fall. Depending on the year, Kokanee fishing can be a good option from May through September.

Once surface temperatures fall below 60 degrees, we gear up and troll flies for Rainbow Trout. This is the only time we troll for trout, and the prime window of opportunity is mid-October through November. Walleye and Pike fishing can be solid throughout fall and into winter. Half and full days are available, except in the heat of summer when we only fish half day trips.

The Pend Oreille River (POR) is essentially the same fishery as LPO, with a few exceptions. The sloughs off the river contain a higher percentage of Largemouth Bass and Crappie, which we often target in April. Because management does not yet use gill nets here to “suppress” the fishery as they do in LPO, there is a higher density of Walleye in POR than in LPO. Walleye trips are often conducted on the Pend Oreille River out of either Sandpoint, Laclede, or the town of Priest River.

In addition to the solid warm water spiny-ray fishery, POR has a decent population of Brown Trout. We often fish for POR browns in the late winter and early spring. Half and and full days are available, except in July and August when we only offer half days.

Priest is well known as Idaho’s Lake Trout (Mackinaw) lake, and this is where the state record was caught. Jigging is a top option for catching Mackinaw, which typically average 2-3 pounds. This is a harvest fishery in part because there is limited forage in Priest, and also due to the fact that fish coming up from 100’ down often have a hard time getting back down. Kokanee fishing is another option here and they tend to be much larger, though less abundant than those in LPO. Smallmouth Bass inhabit Priest and, though not as plentiful, also don’t see as much fishing pressure as those in the LPO system. Upper Priest hosts a viable population of Idaho’s native Cutthroat and Bull Trout and is well worth the day trip through the thoroughfare just for the spectacular scenery.

Three-quarter or full day only.

The Idaho Kootenai consists of two distinct sections. The upper section from Montana to Bonners Ferry is a fly-fishers dream. It’s a big clear river with deep pools and wide riffles running through a steep walled canyon. We access by either jet boat or drift boat and fishing is for Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout, with the possibility of catching bonus Kokanee or Bull Trout. The best fly-fishing is in summer and fall.

The lower section from Bonners Ferry to Canada widens out and slows down as it runs through the Purcell Trench. Here, in the distance, you can see both the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains beyond the vast stretches of farmland. This is where we fish for Burbot, primarily in winter, and often on a sandbar accompanied by a cheery fire. The Kootenai Tribe is responsible for bringing both White Sturgeon and Burbot back from the brink of extinction, a consequence of both over-fishing and stream channelization. We are permitted to fish for and keep Burbot, but not Sturgeon.

The Waters

Go Fish! Charters offers first class fishing trips on legendary waters, custom tailored to your fishing interests

Clark Fork River: Cabinet Gorge Dam to Lake Pend Oreille

Lake Pend Oreille: Clark Fork to Sandpoint

Pend Oreille River: Sandpoint to the Washington line

Priest Lake and Upper Priest Lake

Kootenai River: Montana line to Canada

Learn About The Fish You Can Catch

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