What special fishing regulations apply at Coeur d'Alene Lake?

Coeur d'Alene Lake carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Idaho's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Kokanee salmon. One of them reads: "IDFG stocks chinook salmon since 1982 (one of only inland US lakes with stocked chinook outside the Great Lakes + Lake Sakakawea ND + Lake Oahe SD); cutthroat trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only (IDFG protection for native westslope cutthroat); largemouth + smallmouth + spotted bass combined 6 / day + 12 in min; crappie 25 / day; northern pike 0 / day catch-and-release-only (invasive species); bull trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Coeur d'Alene Lake?

Yes. Coeur d'Alene Lake is in Idaho, so a valid Idaho fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Coeur d'Alene; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Idaho rules.

Do Coeur d'Alene Lake's special rules replace Idaho's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Idaho's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Coeur d'Alene by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Coeur d'Alene?

Smallmouth bass and Kokanee salmon have a water-body-specific rule on Coeur d'Alene Lake, each linking to its full Idaho regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Idaho limits.

2026 regulation year

Coeur d'Alene Lake 2026 — Idaho Fishing Regulations

Idaho statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 4, 2026

Coeur d'Alene Lake carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of Idaho's 2026 fishing rules — covering Smallmouth bass, Kokanee salmon. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

IDFG stocks chinook salmon since 1982 (one of only inland US lakes with stocked chinook outside the Great Lakes + Lake Sakakawea ND + Lake Oahe SD); cutthroat trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only (IDFG protection for native westslope cutthroat); largemouth + smallmouth + spotted bass combined 6 / day + 12 in min; crappie 25 / day; northern pike 0 / day catch-and-release-only (invasive species); bull trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only
Source: Idaho special-water list

Per-species rules on Coeur d'Alene Lake

Smallmouth bass regulations →
6 / day no minimum; mixed cold-water + warm-water fishery
Kokanee salmon regulations →
6 / day; downrigger-troll + ice fishery

Official source

Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) publishes the authoritative 2026 Idaho fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Idaho fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Idaho Department of Fish and Game's emergency-order feed — check it before any Idaho trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Idaho

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Coeur d'Alene Lake?: Coeur d'Alene Lake carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Idaho's statewide 2026 rules, covering Smallmouth bass and Kokanee salmon. One of them reads: "IDFG stocks chinook salmon since 1982 (one of only inland US lakes with stocked chinook outside the Great Lakes + Lake Sakakawea ND + Lake Oahe SD); cutthroat trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only (IDFG protection for native westslope cutthroat); largemouth + smallmouth + spotted bass combined 6 / day + 12 in min; crappie 25 / day; northern pike 0 / day catch-and-release-only (invasive species); bull trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Coeur d'Alene Lake?: Yes. Coeur d'Alene Lake is in Idaho, so a valid Idaho fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Coeur d'Alene; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Idaho rules.
Do Coeur d'Alene Lake's special rules replace Idaho's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Idaho's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Coeur d'Alene by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Coeur d'Alene?: Smallmouth bass and Kokanee salmon have a water-body-specific rule on Coeur d'Alene Lake, each linking to its full Idaho regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Idaho limits.

← Back to Idaho regulations overview