Priest Lake
lake in Idaho
While primarily a trolling lake, fly anglers can find success targeting cruising fish along the shorelines or in the tributary mouths, especially for large Lake Trout (Mackinaw) and Rainbows.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) may hatch on warmer
- 01Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) may hatch on warmer, overcast afternoons, attracting opportunistic feeders.
- 02The significant October Caddis hatch is expected to be active, presenting larger adults on the surface.
- 03Midges and freshwater shrimp remain consistent subsurface food sources throughout Priest Lake.
- 04Egg patterns are crucial with Kokanee salmon actively engaging in their fall spawning rituals.
- 05Fish tend to be more lethargic in cooling water, requiring a slow, deliberate retrieve for subsurface patterns.
Past reports week by week
6 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Balanced Leech (Black)
Leeches are a consistent, year-round food source in stillwaters like Priest Lake, attractive to various predatory fish.
PMD (Pale Morning Duns)
Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in fall, providing a key food source for opportunistic feeders.
Blood Dot Egg
With Kokanee spawning in the fall, egg patterns become a crucial food source for them and other opportunistic species.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer imitating leeches and baitfish, effective year-round for enticing aggressive strikes from predatory fish in the lake.
Mysis Shrimp (Nymph)
Mysis shrimp are a consistent and crucial food source in large lakes, effective year-round for subsurface feeders.
October Caddis
The largest caddis hatch of the year is active in the fall, making this a prime imitation for surface-feeding fish.
Where to fish and who to ask
Mouth of Priest River
The confluence with Priest River, a hotspot for fish entering and exiting the lake.
Thorofare (Upper Priest Lake connection)
The channel connecting Upper and Lower Priest Lake, a key area for migratory fish movement.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Long Drift Outfitters
Get Priest Lake reports by email
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Idaho season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
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Quick answers
Common questions about Priest Lake.
What flies work best on Priest Lake?
Our top scored fly patterns for Priest Lake right now are Balanced Leech (Black) (80% confidence), Damsel Nymph (Olive) (80% confidence), Scud (Pink/Orange) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Priest Lake?
Priest Lake holds Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Sunfish, Kokanee. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Priest Lake fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Priest Lake each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.