01-02-2025 REELLIFE DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 35
The Cottonwood Inn &
Suites has a variety of
options for lodging; from
RV Parking to hotel rooms,
and amenities include boat
parking, a casino, and a
restaurant. You can learn
more about Fort Peck, and
how to fish it at
https://fwp.mt.gov/fish.
LAKE PEND OREILLE, ID
North Idaho Trophy
Hunting
Lake Pend Oreille is the
largest lake in Idaho and
in the top 50 for the U.S..
It is really deep (over 1000
feet in some areas) and is
known for naval submarine
testing. This is beautiful
country, with a host of
fishing options, but what
many come for are the
Kamloops. Kamloops is a
Gerrard strain of rainbow
trout that are known as
some of the biggest trout
around, and are highly
sought after to round out
an avid trout anglers trophy
checklist. Your chance for
“Big Fish” is what makes
Lake Pend Oreille a 5-star
fishing destination.
The Idaho state record
Kamloops rainbow trout
was caught out of Pend
Oreille by Wes Hamlet in
1947. That’s a long time for
a record to hold up, but
that doesn’t stop anglers
from pursuing glory every
year in tournaments, by
boat, and from shore. Pend
Oreille is also home to
massive schools of kokanee
(a favorite food of the
Kamloops), and populations
of pike, bass, perch, walleye,
crappie, and mackinaw.
The lake has a history of
big fish taken from it in
addition to the trout record,
these include a 43-pound
6-ounce mackinaw in
1995, and a world record
32-pound bull trout in 1949.
The idyllic town of
Sandpoint sits on the
shores of Lake Pend Oreille,
nestled in forests between
the mountains and the
lake. A destination town
for skiers in the winter and
boaters in the summer,
Sandpoint is a great home
base for the family fishing
destination vacation with
some boujee amenities not
too far from some smalltown, rustic escapes. The
theme park, Silverwood,
is less than 30 minutes
away. If you’re looking to
plan a trip with something
for everyone, shopping,
hiking, dining, and trophy
fishing, Sandpoint and
the neighboring town of
Ponderay are great options.
The word is out, and the
popularity of the area has
grown immensely so plan
ahead! Jeff and Mona
Laybourne of Superfly
Tackle not only operate the
local tackle store and carry
everything you need, but
they also make specialized
gear to target the lake’s
prized trophies. They are a
wealth of information and
can be reached online at
https://superflyflies.com/.
