Biologist pegs North Idaho’s top panfishing lakes

FISHING — Here are some of the best bests for catching panfish — perch, crapppie, bluegills — in the Idaho Panhandle, according to Jim Fredericks, Idaho Fish and Game Department regional fisheries manager.

“We have a lot of great lakes for crappies, bluegill, and perch.

“Probably the best lake in the region for a chance to catch a good mess of all three species is Rose Lake, which consistently produces the largest bluegill (up to 10 inches) in the region.

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

“In the northern part of the region, great panfish lakes are Brush, Dawson, Smith, and Robinson .

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

Anglers can look at the Fishing Planner on the IDFG website to help determine where to go.