Priest Lake, Idaho

E

El and Bill

New member
"Priest Lake lies at about 2,400 feet above sea level, and has beautiful scenery and abundant recreational opportunities. Cruisers might enjoy the dense cedar-hemlock forests and the wildlife, such as whitetail deer, black bear, moose and bald eagles. The stately Selkirk Mountain Range towers nearby and numerous streams tumble down the slopes."

"Noted for its clear water, Priest Lake extends 19 miles and is connected to the smaller Upper Priest Lake by a placid, two-mile-long water thoroughfare."

This sounds great. Has anyone cruised it?? Looks like Indian Creek, a part of Priest Lake State Park, might be the best launch and parking for the truck & trailer. Any ideas?? Anyone interested after the Pend d'Oreille cruise? Like maybe cruise August 25 to Sept. 1?
 
El and Bill":lo349ybz said:
"Priest Lake lies at about 2,400 feet above sea level, and has beautiful scenery and abundant recreational opportunities. Cruisers might enjoy the dense cedar-hemlock forests and the wildlife, such as whitetail deer, black bear, moose and bald eagles. The stately Selkirk Mountain Range towers nearby and numerous streams tumble down the slopes."

"Noted for its clear water, Priest Lake extends 19 miles and is connected to the smaller Upper Priest Lake by a placid, two-mile-long water thoroughfare."

This sounds great. Has anyone cruised it?? Looks like Indian Creek, a part of Priest Lake State Park, might be the best launch and parking for the truck & trailer. Any ideas?? Anyone interested after the Pend d'Oreille cruise? Like maybe cruise August 25 to Sept. 1?
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:mrgreen: I grew up fishing N. Idaho & WA, OR & Mont. I have not been to Priest Lake for 10 yrs. Last time I was, the road on the east side of the lake was a P.O.S. Winding, lumpy, not paved glorified skid trail! On the west side, Luby bay, Hills resort, Elkins resort & Kaniksu Bay are or were way easier access. Also while on the pond o ray subject if you launch at Bayview it is 37 miles to Sand point. Pend d'Oreille can turn REAL LUMPY REAL QUICK every major bay has a storm dock for public use, Granite Bay, Lakeview, Bayview, Garfield, Sandpoint, Hope, etc. I allways put in @ Garfield Bay about halfway up lake. Fishing is great between the twin Islands @ PriestLake, Jigs if calm, if any wind, dodgers & white fly @ 100-200" (right on the bottom this time of year) Have a Great time!!! :beer
 
Bill and El:

Diana and I spent a wonderful time at Priest Lake about 12 years ago. We had our Montgomery 15 sailboat and a 17 foot canoe as a dingy. We stayed at the Lion's Head Campground, which by the way has a wonderful history from the early years of movie making.

The channel into upper Priest Lake is slow going. Lots of logs in the water, and you need to choose your path carefully. Once in the upper lake, you are in a paradise. There was a mountain man rendezvous at the back country campsite when we visited. Nothing like the sound of a cannon in the morning to stir the blood.

Fishing was not that great. If I recall correctly, the Mackinaw have pretty well decimated indigenous fish populations.

All in all, it's well worth the trip.

Enjoy.

Steve
 
Love to be there, but the 18th is my 45th HS re-union and the 19th I have a Qualifications Exam on the water for the CGAux.

Kate and I will raise a glass to you all sometime that week-end.
 
Thanks for input, folks -- looks like we will definitely be up at Priest Lake sometime this summer. Any and all suggestions from others are appreciated. David and Kate -- time slots are wide open for us -- if you care to come up thataway and can find a chunk of time, we'll try to match your dates.
 
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