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Natural Glacial•Idaho Lakes•Bonner, Kootenai County

Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho: Map, Depth, Size & Information

Comprehensive hydrographic guide to Lake Pend Oreille featuring verified USGS & USACE water statistics, interactive topographic mapping, shoreline facilities, boating ramps, and game fisheries.

Directions
Surface Area
94,720 acres
383.3 km²
Max Depth
1150 feet
350.5 m
Elevation
2,062 feet
628 m ASL
Shoreline
226 miles
364 km
Coordinates
48.167°, -116.417°
GPS WGS84
Verification
Official Data
2026-03-09
Live Hydrographic & Conditions Telemetry

Lake Pend Oreille Live Water Level Status & Wind Conditions

Reservoir Hydrography
Water Level Status & Capacity
Current Water Elevation
2,061.77 ft
Normal Full Pool: 2,062.00 ft
Full Pool
Difference from Full Pool
-0.23 ft(below)
Reservoir Waterline & Storage Capacity95.1% of Conservation Pool
0%
25%
50%
75%
100% Full
Full Pool: 2,062.00 ft
24h Change: -0.06 ft / 24hEst. Volume: 48,462,351 acre-ft
Inflow Rate
4,787 cfs
River tributaries
Dam Outflow
4,452 cfs
Hydro & spillway
Water Temp
53°F
Surface layer
Water Clarity
69.5 ft
Secchi disc depth
Hydrologic balance: Current net flow is +335 cfs (Gaining volume). Water level is falling at 0.06 ft per day.
Atmospheric & Surface
Live Wind & Wave Simulator
Optimal
Nautical Wind Compass Rose
NESW
WNW 297°
9 mph
Gusts: 22 mph
Blowing from WNW (297°) at 9 mph
Surface Wave Conditions0.8 ft wave height
Calm (< 0.5 ft)
Moderate Surface Ripple
Barometer
30.14 inHg
Steady pressure
Solunar Bite
Slow Bite
High game fish bite
Hourly Forecast Timeline Scrubber:12 PM • 9 mph WNW
Calculate Water Level & Volume ChangesModel acre-feet storage loss, shoreline recession, and drought reserve projections for Lake Pend Oreille.
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Interactive Map of Lake Pend Oreille

48.1667° N, 116.4167° W|Get Directions
Centroid Coordinates: 48.1667° N, -116.4167° WOpen Directions in Maps

Where is Lake Pend Oreille?

Lake Pend Oreille is located in Bonner, Kootenai County in the state of Idaho, at geographical coordinates 48.1667° North latitude and 116.4167° West longitude. The water body lies at a surface elevation of approximately 2,062 feet (628 meters) above mean sea level.

Nearby Cities & Distances

Sandpoint
1 miles away
Bayview
0 miles away
Hope
1 miles away
Coeur d'Alene
45 miles away

About Lake Pend Oreille

Majestic deep blue water of Lake Pend Oreille surrounded by Idaho pine mountains
Natural Glacial • Glacial Fjord Lake BasinVerified 2026-03-09

Lake Pend Oreille is the largest and deepest lake in Idaho, located in the northern Idaho Panhandle. Carved by continental glaciers during the Ice Age and flooded by the catastrophic prehistoric Missoula Floods, it reaches 1,150 feet in depth, making it the fifth-deepest lake in the United States. Due to its great depth, calm deep acoustic properties, and absence of commercial ocean background noise, the U.S. Navy operates an advanced submarine acoustic research detachment at Bayview.

Hydrographic Classification:

Lake Pend Oreille is categorized as a Glacial Fjord Lake Basin. Its designated primary authorized uses include Recreation, U.S. Navy Acoustic Research (Acoustic Research Detachment), Hydropower Storage, Conservation.

Activities & Recreation

Sport Fishing

Lake Pend Oreille is known for its resident game fish species. Common targets include:

Gerrard (Kamloops) Rainbow TroutLake TroutKokanee SalmonWalleyeSmallmouth BassNorthern Pike
Boating & Watersports

Popular watercraft activities permitted across regulated channels:

BoatingSailingTrophy Kamloops Rainbow Trout FishingKayakingHikingScuba Diving

Boat Ramps, Marinas & Public Parks

Marinas (4)

  • •Sandpoint Marina
  • •Bayview Marina
  • •Hope Marina
  • •Garfield Bay Marina

Public Boat Launches (4)

  • •City Beach Boat Ramp (Sandpoint)
  • •Farragut State Park Launch
  • •Garfield Bay Launch
  • •Hope Boat Basin

Parks & Recreation (3)

  • •Farragut State Park
  • •City Beach Park
  • •Round Lake State Park

Boating Safety, Wake Zones & Aquatic Regulations

• Speed & Wake Buffer Zones:

A mandatory 100-to-200-foot no-wake zone is enforced around all public boat launches, designated swimming areas, private docks, and moored vessels. Vessel operators must maintain idle speed in narrow coves and bridge passes.

• Safety Gear & AIS Protocol:

Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III PFDs are required for all vessel occupants. To prevent aquatic invasive species (quagga mussels, hydrilla), boaters must adhere to Clean, Drain, and Dry inspection procedures prior to launching.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns for Lake Pend Oreille

Spring (March – May)Pre-Spawn & Spawn

Game fish move into sheltered secondary coves, shallow flats (4–12 ft depth), and creek mouths as surface temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. Target submerged timber, riprap, and emerging vegetation with spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits, and soft plastics.

Summer (June – August)Thermocline & Main Basin

Predators retreat to deep underwater humps, main river channel ledges, and thermocline layers (20–45 ft). Peak activity shifts to dawn, dusk, and night trolling. Use deep-diving crankbaits, spoons, drop-shots, and downrigger spreads.

Autumn (Sept – November)Fall Turnover & Feeding Blitz

Cooling weather triggers lake turnover and intense schooling feeding. Bass, trout, and walleye push baitfish into primary points and pocket coves. Fast-moving topwater plugs, lipless crankbaits, and swimbaits produce explosive strikes.

Winter (Dec – February)Deep Suspension & Ice

Fish consolidate around deep wintering holes (40–80+ ft) or under safe solid ice on northern waterways. Slow finesse presentations—vertical jigging spoons, blade baits, and live bait rigs—dominate the cold-water season.

Lake Pend Oreille Statistics & Hydrography

MeasurementImperial ValueMetric Equivalent
Surface Area94,720 acres383.3 km²
Maximum Depth1150 feet350.5 meters
Average Depth538 feet164.0 meters
Water Surface Elevation2,062 feet above sea level628 meters
Shoreline Length226 miles364 km
Lake ClassificationNatural Glacial (Glacial Fjord Lake Basin)
GPS Coordinates48.1667° N, 116.4167° W

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Pend Oreille

7 verified answers
Why does the U.S. Navy test submarines in Lake Pend Oreille?+
Lake Pend Oreille is 1,150 feet deep, has very low ambient acoustic noise, and features uniform water temperature. The Navy’s Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD) operates sub-scale submarine models here to develop quiet propulsion and stealth systems.
How big do fish get in Lake Pend Oreille?+
The lake is world-famous for giant Gerrard (Kamloops) rainbow trout, holding the former world record with a 37-pound specimen.
How deep is Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho?+
Lake Pend Oreille reaches a verified maximum depth of 1,150 feet (351 meters), with an estimated mean operating depth of approximately 538 feet (164 meters). The lake bathymetry features typical natural glacial bottom topography with distinct drop-offs, deep submerged channels, and shallow littoral zones that support aquatic vegetation and forage species.
What is the surface area, shoreline length, and elevation of Lake Pend Oreille?+
At normal conservation pool, Lake Pend Oreille covers approximately 94,720 surface acres (about 148.0 square miles or 383.3 km²) at an elevation of 2,062 feet above sea level. The shoreline extends for 226 miles (364 km) throughout Bonner, Kootenai County, featuring numerous sheltered coves and bays.
Can you boat on Lake Pend Oreille and where are the public ramps?+
Yes, recreational boating is permitted on Lake Pend Oreille. Public boat launch facilities include City Beach Boat Ramp (Sandpoint), Farragut State Park Launch, Garfield Bay Launch. Full-service marinas including Sandpoint Marina and Bayview Marina offer slip rentals, marine fuel, and boat repair services. Boaters must adhere to state navigation laws, maintain required life jackets and safety gear, and respect posted no-wake zones near docks, coves, and designated swimming beaches.
Who manages Lake Pend Oreille and are there campgrounds or parks nearby?+
Lake Pend Oreille is managed and monitored in coordination with Idaho Department of Fish and Game & U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Seattle District). Lakeside recreation areas and campgrounds include Farragut State Park, City Beach Park, Round Lake State Park. Visitors can take advantage of developed campgrounds with tent and RV hookups, scenic hiking trails, day-use picnic areas, and boat launch access.
Where does the data for Lake Pend Oreille come from and how is it verified?+
All hydrographic statistics, water surface elevation gauges, surface acreage measurements, and bathymetric soundings for Lake Pend Oreille are cross-referenced from authoritative federal and state geospatial databases, primarily Idaho Department of Fish and Game & U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Seattle District) and the USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Records undergo programmatic sanity verification and were last verified on 2026-03-09. Detailed ingestion pipelines, calibration procedures, and agency citations are published on our Data Methodology page (/methodology/).
Review Full Data Methodology & Verification Guidelines
Authoritative Data Source: Idaho Department of Fish and Game & U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Seattle District)
Last verified: 2026-03-09 • Record ID: lake-pend-oreille-id
View Official Source

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