Lake Pend Oreille is Idaho’s state’s largest lake (43 miles long, with 111 miles of shoreline). Our lake is also the deepest, at 1,158 feet. The Navy performs tests in Lake Pend Oreille from its research station at Bayview. Only four lakes in the nation are deeper. Lake Pend Oreille features terrific scenery, clean water, big fish, a fascinating history ... and lots of fun stuff to do.

Because the lake is so large and the surrounding topography so varied, you’ll find a variety of conditions for fishing, boating, and swimming. Fishing enthusiasts choose from an impressive array of fish besides the kamloop, including whitefish, kokanee, cutthrout and brown trout, bull trout, mackinaw, large and small mouth bass, perch, and bullheads (catfish).

On Lake Pend Oreille, the water is cool and clear, the fishing is famous, and there are long stretches of wild shoreline that are home to bald eagles, ospreys, bears, and moose.

Our magnificent Lake Pend Oreille has many smaller lake side communities such as Bayview, Garfield Bay and Hope which provide residents and travelers alike the convenience of fuel, groceries, restaurants and boat docks.

If kayaking is your thing then you are in luck. With a lake over 43 miles long one can spend countless hours paddling...

For the whitewater enthusiasts there are numerous rivers and streams to get your heart thumping.

The lake gives cruising sailors a choice of vacation environments. Between Independence Day and Labor Day, it is buzzing with activity, the lakeside cafes are busy, and a south wind often comes briskly up the shank of the fishhook. From Bayview, at the south end of the lake and not more than thirty miles off I-90, you could race up to Sandpoint at the north end in a day (in fact, you could join a group of racers to do this on a certain weekend in summer). Or you could spend a week exploring the lake’s shores and small communities, sailing when the wind obliges.