Thompson Lake, Idaho: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Idaho, Thompson Lake falls inside Kootenai County. The country round it is open valley from end to end. The water covers around 298 acres, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. The edge covers about 4.6 miles, enough to hold several distinct areas. It lies lower than most water we list in Idaho. For supplies, Plummer is 13 miles out. After that come Coeur d'Alene at 13 miles and Saint Maries at 14 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Thompson Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Open biodiversity records for Kootenai County list rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, sockeye salmon and channel catfish. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Treat Thompson Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 65°F in August and bottom out at 29°F in January. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. It sets the rhythm of the year at Thompson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. You can launch: the ramp is half a mile away. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. There is a pier recorded roughly half a mile away. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Anderson Lake sits 1.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for Thompson Lake.