Plentiful panfish offer sport, taste

Panfish are a prize even though they might not match bass and pike for size.

Perch, crappie and bluegills are fun for kids to catch, adults too, and delicious on the table.

Rose Lake southeast of Fourth of July Pass is one of the top spots in the region for catching all three species.

“Rose Lake consistently produces the largest bluegill – up to 10 inches – in the region,” said Jim Fredericks, Idaho Panhandle regional fisheries manager.

Other great panfish lakes south of Sandpoint include Twin Lakes, Kelso, Shepherd, and Avondale.

Top panfish lakes at the north end of the Panhandle are Brush, Dawson, Smith and Robinson.

“Many of these lakes have a two-story fishery, meaning they not only have warmwater fisheries for panfish, pike and bass, but they support good coldwater fisheries for stocked trout and kokanee as well,” he said. “Hauser, Hayden, Fernan and Spirit are great examples.”