What special fishing regulations apply at Priest Lake?

Priest Lake carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Idaho's statewide 2026 rules, covering Kokanee salmon and Lake trout. One of them reads: "Native bull trout + lake trout (Mackinaw) + kokanee salmon fishery; IDFG-distinctive Mackinaw suppression program to protect native bull trout (federally Threatened ESA); bull trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only; lake trout no daily bag (encouraged harvest); kokanee 6 / day; rainbow + cutthroat trout 6 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Priest Lake?

Yes. Priest 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 Priest Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Idaho rules.

Do Priest Lake's special rules replace Idaho's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Idaho's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Priest Lake 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 Priest Lake?

Kokanee salmon and Lake trout have a water-body-specific rule on Priest Lake, each linking to its full Idaho regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Idaho limits.

2026 regulation year

Priest Lake 2026 — Idaho Fishing Regulations

Idaho statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 4, 2026

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

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State-level special regulation

Native bull trout + lake trout (Mackinaw) + kokanee salmon fishery; IDFG-distinctive Mackinaw suppression program to protect native bull trout (federally Threatened ESA); bull trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only; lake trout no daily bag (encouraged harvest); kokanee 6 / day; rainbow + cutthroat trout 6 / day combined
Source: Idaho special-water list

Per-species rules on Priest Lake

Kokanee salmon regulations →
6 / day; shares the water with native bull trout + lake trout (bull trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only)
Lake trout regulations →
No daily bag, harvest encouraged (Mackinaw-suppression to protect native bull trout); bull trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only

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 Priest Lake?: Priest Lake carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Idaho's statewide 2026 rules, covering Kokanee salmon and Lake trout. One of them reads: "Native bull trout + lake trout (Mackinaw) + kokanee salmon fishery; IDFG-distinctive Mackinaw suppression program to protect native bull trout (federally Threatened ESA); bull trout 0 / day catch-and-release-only; lake trout no daily bag (encouraged harvest); kokanee 6 / day; rainbow + cutthroat trout 6 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Priest Lake?: Yes. Priest 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 Priest Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Idaho rules.
Do Priest Lake's special rules replace Idaho's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Idaho's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Priest Lake 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 Priest Lake?: Kokanee salmon and Lake trout have a water-body-specific rule on Priest Lake, each linking to its full Idaho regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Idaho limits.

← Back to Idaho regulations overview