Sportsmen will find promising hunting grounds and productive fishing waters in Boundary County. Hunters can take advantage of seasons for elk, deer, bear and moose and other big game as well as several species of birds. The Kootenai Wildlife Refuge, just a few miles west of Bonners Ferry, is a popular site for bird hunting. With more than 400,000 acres of National Forest lands in the county, there’s plenty of public lands for hunting game, too.

Fishermen can choose from a variety of fishable waters in Boundary County from 290 miles of streams and rivers to sub-alpine, high mountain and other lakes. The range of species include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, bass, crappie, brook trout, sunfish and whitefish. Small lake fishing with boats is best at Brush, Solomon, Perkins, Smith and Dawson, Bonner and Robinson lakes. Recommended high mountain lakes include Roman Nose, Bottleneck, Snow and Cooks, Two Mouth, Myrtle, Hidden, West Fork and Caribou lakes. Creeks most suitable for fishing include Snow, Myrtle, Deep, Grass, Cow, Parker, Long Canyon, Deer, Canuck and Boulder creeks.

Fly fishing is recommended on several rivers including the Kootenai River and Moyie, where wild trout will challenge and delight the fly fisherman. Other fly fishing waters include Smith, Ball, Trout and Caribou creeks.

For specifics on fishing waters, contact local sports shops or call the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at 208-769-1414 or the department’s wildlife biologist at 208-267-3115.