OTHER NORTH IDAHO LAKES

BENEWAH COUNTY - St. Joe River, Heyburn State Park, & Area Lakes

The Heyburn State Park / 4 lakes area is one of the camping and fishing jewels of the state of Idaho. Heyburn S.P. consists of several large camping areas, cabins, numerous hiking trails, 3 boat launch facilities, beaches, and wilderness area. There are four lakes that were created/expanded by the Post Falls dam. The largest is Chatcolet Lake (off of St. Joe River). To the north of Chatcolet lake is Hidden Lake; to the east is Round Lake, and to the south is Benewah Lake. The St. Joe River (see info below) runs through these lakes in a unique channel system that boaters can use to access the city of St. Maries and beyond. Connected to the St. Joe River in the City of St. Maries, is the St. Maries River. The bike trail called the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene is connected to this park.

Lake Chatcolet is the largest of the four lakes. It consists of 600 acres and has more open water and boat launches than the other three lakes. Round Lake, the second largest lake, consists of 410 acres and is known for it's great fishing. However, due to all the aquatic vegetation and it's shallow depth, it isn't suited to high speed boating. Benewah Lake is the 3rd largest; it consists of 400 acres and is another shallow lake with lots of aquatic plant life. This is another excellent fishing lake. The last and smallest of the 4 lakes is Hidden Lake, which consists of 90 acres, and is more like a bay connected to Lake Chatcolet and St. Joe River, than like a lake. There are 4 smaller lakes next to the St. Joe River.

Lake Chatcolet is the only lake here worth water skiing or sailing on due to it's lower level of weeds and deeper water. The other 3 lakes are perfect for fishing and kayaking/canoeing. This would be great place to fish or go exploring by kayak. And again, the St. Joe River would be great to either motor or kayak/paddle up. Regardless of what style boat you use, experiencing being where the river runs through is a credible experience.

St. Joe River's main city is St. Marries - Chamber of Commerce www.stmarieschamber.org

Maps: To view a map click on http://www.mapquest.com and type in St. Joe River, Idaho. The red star indicates the start of the river even though it looks like the star is in the middle of the lake. Boat Launch & Park: Go to the Heyburn State Park website for camping and boating info Info: St. Maries Chamber of Commerce http://www.stmarieschamber.org/ UP

Benewah Lake - Small Boats with Motors

Benewah Lake (400 acres) is a lake connected to St. Joe River within Heyburn State Park area. There are 3 lakes within the park. Benewah is the second largest of these lakes. It can be accessed via 4 locations: First at the one and only boat launch at the east end of the lake. Second, via Benewah Creek access point on the east end of the lake from HWY 5. Third, from the St. Joe River via a small short channel on the northwest side of the lake. And fourth, on the southwest end of the lake from Lake Chatcolet. The lake is best suited for slow moving fishing boats and kayaks and canoes due to the amount of aquatic vegetation and wildlife policies. There is an old rail road bridge that crosses the lake with about a 5' clearance over the lake, limiting the height of boats which can enter and exit the lake. Info: Heyburn State Park UP

Benewah Campground Boat Launch

Launch, dock, campground, restrooms, running water, picnic area...

Directions: On HWY 5 coming from either Heyburn State Park visitor center or from St Maries: Take Benewah Lake Road to the Benewah Campground and Boat Launch. This lake is full of aquatic plants, so is best suited for slow moving fishing boats and kayaking.

Benewah Lake - Channel access from St. Joe River

Directions: Northwest end of Benewah Lake

HWY 3 Benewah Creek Access

Launch from creek bank...

Directions: This access site is on HWY 5 between Heyburn State Park visitor center and Benewah Lake Road on Benewah Creek.

Chatcolet Lake - Mid Draft Boats

Chatcolet Lake (600 acres) is 10-40 feet deep, making it suitable for deep draft boats/keelboats. Chatcolet also tends to have good wind from the east, a large area of unobstructed open water, and one can easily access Lake Coeur d'Alene from this lake as well via the St. Joe River channel. Power boaters find this lake great to cruise and fish on. Sailors also enjoy this lake for its east thermal winds. The lake is located in Heyburn State Park. Amenities include 2 boat launch facilities with docks, 3 landings with docks, restrooms, marinas, beaches, campgrounds, cabins, hiking and biking trails (Trail of the Coeur d'Alene). Info: Heyburn State Park UP

1. Chatcolet Lake Heyburn State Park Boat Launch

Boat launch, docks, rocky beach, restrooms, campground, running water, bike and hiking trails...

Directions: From HWY 5, enter the park at the headquarters and drive on Plumber Point Road to the boat launch; follow signs to boat launch.

2. Plummer Point

Dock, beach, restrooms, picnic tables, bike and hiking trails (no running water)...

Directions: From HWY 5, enter the park at the headquarters and drive on Plumber Point Road; follow the sign to Plummer Point Park.

3. Chatcolet Lake Access

Bank access, dock (no boat launch)...

Located between Hawleys Landing and Rocky Point in Heyburn State Park. Directions: (Coming from HWY 5 either passing the entrance road to the park headquarters or before you get to headquarters) Watch for a turnout with fishing info sign and dock.

4. Hawley's Landing

Docks, boat pump-out station, restrooms, picnic tables, running water

(no boat launch)...

Directions: (Coming from HWY 5, either passing the entrance road to the park headquarters or before you get to headquarters) Watch for the sign to Hawley's Landing. Turn on this road to get to land.

5. Rocky Point Park, West Boat Launch

Boat launch, docks, marina, beach, restrooms, fuel dock, play ground, running water...

Directions: (Coming from HWY 5, either passing the entrance road to the park headquarters or before you get to headquarters) Watch for the sign to Rocky Point and Rocky Point Loop Road. Turn on this road to get to the boat launches and marina.

6. Rocky Point Park, East Boat Launch

Boat launch, docks, marina, beach, restrooms, fuel dock, play ground, running water...

Hidden Lake - Mid Draft Boats

Hidden Lake (90 acres) is between Lake Coeur d'Alene and lake Chatcolet on the west side of the St. Joe River. This is the smallest of the four lakes and is appropriate for mid draft boats even though it is a small lake and not suited for high speed boating. The lake is fairly free of aquatic plants and a good lake for fishing. There is no boat access on this lake but one can easily access the lake from the St. Joe River channel. There are some private homes on its west shore. This is a no wake lake... Info: Heyburn State Park UP

Hidden Lake

No facilities or shore access...

Round Lake is shown on the far side of the picture.

Round Lake - Small Boats with Motors

Round Lake (410 acres) runs along the St. Joe river channel, and isn't part of Heyburn State Park, but is on the parks north and northeast side. Round Lake is a shallow long lake, and is perfect for fishing but isn't suited for high speed boating due to all the aquatic plant life and water foul policies. There are 2 launches on this lake; One has a paved ramp and the other is a gravel mud combination. UP

1. Round Lake Northeast Sportsman Access

Boat Launch, restroom, no running water...

The launch is paved but during low water it does not long reach the water. Directions: (Coming from S HWY 97 near the junction of HWY 3 & 97) Turn south E. on O'Gara Road. Follow this road for a few miles, then turn left/south S. Benewah Road. Follow this road to the launch. Toward the end of this road it gets rough with lots of potholes. The road is also fairly narrow and has one sharp turn.

2. Round Lake East Primitive Boat Launch

Gravel/mud boat launch near the east shore of Round Lake, old dock, gravel parking area, no restrooms or running water ...

This primitive launch is right next to HWY 3 off of Mission Point Road/Round Lake Road. The great thing about this launch is that it enters a channel where you can enter either Round Lake or the St. Joe River. This launch is only suited for kayaks or small fishing boats. The ground at this launch can be muddy. Directions: Turn west onto Mission Point Road/Round Lake Road from HWY 3, west of St. Maries, Idaho.

St. Joe River & Associated Lakes

The St. Joe River has lakes on either side of it at its outlet and some beautiful lakes are on either side of the river as it winds through the valley. When the Post Falls dam was constructed on the Spokane River it was believed that the trees and grass along the river bank on the west end of the river would be covered by the water and disappear. But after all these years they are still there, creating one of the most unique river-lake environments in the world. The river runs through the lakes instead of just emptying into a lake. The St. Joe River is the high elevation navigate-able river in the world (120 miles long with Grade 2 & 3 rapids). the 100 foot ferries from the Coeur d'Alene Resort can travel up river to St. Maries. Smaller power boats can travel up river quite a ways from the town of St. Maries with no dept issues. In this section below we show you the river access points as well as associated lakes. UP

1. St. Joe River Shadowy Campground Boat Launch

(Traveling on HWY 3 east of St. Maries) Take road 50 almost to the Benewah & Shoshone County Line. You will see a large sign directing to this campground.

2. Turtle Lake

No boat launch... Can access the lake for fishing via bank off of HWY --

This lake is located right off the St. Joe River. Directions from road 50: When you see this lake proceed to the turnout area. This is the place to park. There is no boat launch but one can launch a kayak/canoe from the shore.

3. Bells Lake

Right off of St. Joe River - No Access

4. Swan Lake

Near St. Joe River - No Access

5. St. Joe River city of St. Maries Aqua Park Boat Launch

Launch, docks, beach, restrooms, running water, picnic area, park play area.

(From HWY 3 after crossing the bridge that crosses the St. Joe River into St. Maries) Take an immediate right onto Railroad Avenue, then a right onto Fourth Street; follow this road to Aqua Avenue to the boat launch and park.

6. St. Joe River, Cherry Bend Boaters Park

Docks, beach, restrooms, running water, picnic area,

Maps other than ours are wrong... There is no boat launch!

(From HWY 3 west of St. Maries Idaho) Turn southwest onto Cottonwood Dr. (no sign for the park from this point); follow this road to your first left. There will be a white sign with red letters directing you to the park.

7. Hepton Lake

This lake can only be accessed from the St. Joe River via a short by wide channel on the northeast side of the lake. This lake is shallow averaging just 5-10 feet at its deepest. All fish species found in this area can be found in this lake and is a popular fishing lake with the locals. I think small boat sailors would find this lake fun to sail because the lake is open to the wind and does not have a lot of current like the river. Also some boaters like to exit the river into this lake and anchor for the night. Marine vegetation rising from the lake bed in late summer can be an issue, tangling on props and rudders. (Traveling on HWY 5 from Plummer Idaho or St. Maries to Heyburn State Park and access the launches there to enter St. Joe River to the lake. Or take Hwy 3 or 5 into the town of St. Maries. See #3 and/or #4 below to access the closes launches to this lake.

8. Round Lake East Primitive Boat Launch

Gravel/mud boat launch near the east shore of Round Lake, old dock, gravel parking area, no restrooms or running water ...

9. Channel from St. Joe River into Benewah Lake

See Benewah Lake for launch info. By launching in this lake you can access the river via the channel.

St. Joe Baldy - 5,801 feet (1,768.14 meters) above sea level.

This photo was taken in on the road next to St. Joe River in 2009 on a cloudy day with first snow fall of the year.

St. Maries River - Small Boats with Motors

The St. Maries River river is extremely popular with fishermen and those just wanting a nice slow float down the river on a hot July day. This river flows into the St. Joe River within the city limits of St. Maries Idaho. As you drive southeast along the river on HWY 3, there are two main areas that can be used to access the river. Only access the river via areas without signs indicating private land. UP

1. St. Maries River Boat Launch

Boat launch, dock, restroom, parking lot, no running water...

This is the only boat launch on the St. Maries River in the town of St. Maries Idaho. The launch pavement is rough and there is an old dock. There is also one smelly restroom which isn't accessible to those using wheelchairs. Fortunately, there is a gas station with restrooms just a short distance down the road (west). Directions: Traveling east on HWY 3 coming from the town of St. Maries Idaho after crossing the bridge and just pass Gas Station and near Windy Ln. on the opposite side of the road you will see the launch site.

St. Maries River Access

Access from river bank, gravel parking area. No facilities or boat launch...

This river access point is right off HWY 3 a short distance west of the HWY 3 bridge. The gravel road to this access site is next to the business of Triple X Feeds store in the town of St. Maries. Directions: To access this site turn northeast onto a gravel road right next to the bridge (west side). The gravel access into the river is fairly steep. This river access site is best suited for small dinghies, kayaks, and canoes that are light enough to be manually launched. When in the river from this site going up stream you will pass under the HWY 3 bridge and going down stream you will pass under a rail road bridge.

STAY TUNED THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO COME!