Access Points for Fishing in Northern Idaho?

Put-ins or Other Good River Access in Northern Idaho

Any navigable water is considered a public corridor in Idaho (check the Idaho regulations), so there is actually plenty of access the official verbiage is as follows: "Navigable streams are defines as any stream which, in its natural high-water condition, will float logs or any other commercial or floatable commodity, or is capable of being navigated by oar or motor propelled small craft for pleasure or commercial purposes."

So what’s that mean for us as "fisher people?" It means wherever a bridge crosses a stream or river, you have public right of way to that "navigable corridor" plus, if there is any blockage or area that is impassable, you can go around the high-water mark with the shortest route possible to get back to the corridor.

Put-ins by Species

Want a list of some of our favorite spots? We’ve broken it down to targeting top three species- These aren’t secret spots, so those of you who have your Northern Idaho hog holes are safe, but make no mistake, these are solid spots for a good time out.

I called up Jerry at the Sandpoint fly shop for some specifics. The following species list is good for anywhere north of the Bonner and Boundary Counties when you are looking to get out around Sandpoint and target some fish in the Pend O’reille system.

Put-ins for Pike

If you are thinking pike and looking for a fishy river, then hook up your metal leaders and try fishing for pike off the Morton Slough in the Ponderay River- and if you want to get out for a bit of a drive, go out toward Hope, where the Hope Boat Basin is another good put-in for targeting pike.

Put-ins for Bass

Small mouth bass are another fun species to target in the systems around Sandpoint, and Hope Boat Basin is another prime area you want to go to looking for bass. Some other good places are Garfield Bay and Bay View.

Put-ins for Trout

All of the put-ins above are going to get you trout, but there are some new ones on the Kootenai just north of town you should be aware of come in to the shop, or give us a call for specifics.

Spring’s here and it’s time to get out and fish. If you have any other put-ins you want to share (no pressure on sharing spots), let us know in the comments. The ones we’ve listed here are good places to start when you’re thinking about slaying #fathawgs.

Read the latest fishing reports from northern Idaho right here.