Fishing Season: Year Round (Prime: June - October)

Coeur d' Alene River - ID

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

49

NW Outfitters's Tip of the Week

The river is still on the high side, but fishing has been good. There have been lots of bugs out and if you can find the soft water the fish are looking to eat. Nymphing has been productive, but a big dry will get looks even if you don't see fish rising.

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Map of Coeur d' Alene River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 5/19/25

A little warmer by the end of the week should get the bugs going strong.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/19/25

With the water being so high for so long, the fish still seem pretty spread out. There are still some patches of snow up there so this nice run off should continue. Look for the soft water, slow seams and color changes to hold fish. Big dries with droppers, nymph rigs and streamers are a good way to prospect, but there have been some good hatches especially in the afternoon.

Local Species Available Year Round (Prime: June - October)

  • Fish Icon

    Native Westslope Cutthroat Trout.

NW Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Blue Winged Olive olive 16-22
Stimulator Olive, orange 8-14
Tactical TH Fast Water Prince Jig olive 8-12
Tunghead Hot Spot Pheasant Tail Jig red, pink, purple 14-18
Complex Twist Bugger olive, black, brown, 6
Rubber Leg Stone Fly brown, black, olive 10-14
TH Duracell Jig purple, tan 12-16
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer black, olive 8-12
Chubby Chernobyl purple, golden, brown, royal 8-14
Squirmy Worm pink, red, brown 6-10

Blue Winged Olive

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Item #0338

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NW Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Coeur d' Alene River

A beautiful mountain river with many miles of great public access a short 40 minutes from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. West Slope Cutthroat are the native species and the river is catch and release only on these pretty fish. There is some pre runoff fishing most years but the season is best from mid May through the end of September. There is also an abundance of tributary hike in water that can offer a good deal of solitude along with the fishing. The scenery and wildflowers are absolutely spectacular along this river.

Nearest Airport:

Spokane International Airport

Hatches:

Stoneflies, grey drakes, march browns, hendricksons, cahills, blue wing olives.

Best Time to Fish:

Mid day

Best Stretch:

The river

Best Access:

Any pullout, high water mark.