By: Bud Larsen When Kirsten told me to come out of my self-imposed retirement from writing I said, no way. Staying in my cave until I get that last operation done, then ... just might start writing again. Tenacious and aggressive by nature, that little lady stayed on my case as she wants visitors to our county made aware of our truly outstanding sports fishery here in Boundary County. Now, I'm old and sort of set in my ways. For example, I just don't really care about talking fishing with women. In fact, I'm not getting into a boat with a woman unless she is rowing. Exception to my rule is Kirsten ... she is an avid fishermen who knows her way around a rod and reel. So, to get her off my back, here is a brief overview of the fishing resources within our county boundaries. (By mid winter I should be out and around once again just in time for ice fishing season. I begin writing bi-monthly fishing reports then.
We are painted and labeled trout country by the travel pundits. In reality, we have it all when it comes to fishing. You don't have to go to Minnesota or Wisconsin to fish for tiger muskies, nor head south if you hunger for some succulent catfish ... we have those and several more species right here in our local lakes. No sir, you don't need a bunch of Orivis or LL Bean stuff to chase cutthroat trout. Sure, we enjoy our trout fisheries as we have trout (cutt's/brooks/rainbow) in every one of the nine lakes along with perch, blue gill, and small mouth bass. I'll even throw in some slab sided crappie found in three of our 9 featured lakes.
As mentioned, the nucleus of our outstanding fisheries is nine low land lakes, two rivers, several streams, and some scattered high elevation lakes. The high elevation lakes are all above 2,700' elevation and require some back- packing to hike into. All our lakes are managed by our able state fish and game people who keep our lakes well stocked with trout. (Volunteers backpack Fingerlings into the high elevation lakes on odd years.
In addition to Solomon, Perkins, Smith, Dawson, Sinclair, Bonner, Brush, Robinson, and Macarthur lakes we are blessed with farm ponds where, if you're lucky, after you've been around awhile the owners just may invite you to fish. Fair warning ... we take property rights seriously here in our county. Ask permission of the owner if you want to cross his or her land to get to a stream, or fish a body of water flowing through private property.
Bonus to our area fisheries is four of our lakes have ample campgrounds for overnight and extended (limited) stays. Brush, Robinson, Smith, and Sinclair.
Boats and motors ... trolling motors only! No gas motors on any of our lakes. (See why I need a woman to row?) Good news is you can fish all our lakes with one exception from the docks or bank. Exception is Bonner Lake as access is only via the boat ramp area. Popular items up here are the float boots ... Kirsten would not be without hers.
Decided to hang around for a while while considering your move? Stop into Far North Outfitters on South Hill and tell Butch to fix you up. I mean, if Butch does not have the fishing/camping gear you want ... then you don't need it.
Your Uncle Bud is once again long winded when he talks about fishing so forgive my long missive to you. I'm excited about our fisheries and want you to enjoy this great resource along with us. Fish while you're here! In fact, get thee over to Dawson and catch a trophy tiger muskie as long as your leg. I'll follow up this report with some maps as soon as I can get down to regional fish and game office in Coeur d'Alene and talk them into given me box full to leave with Kirsten at her Shelman office. In the interim, keep those lines tight!
Uncle Bud