KOOTENAI RIVER FISHING REPORT
December 4, 2025
Kootenai River (ID)
FLOWS – 16,200 CFS @ LEONIA GAUGE
TEMP – 46 @ LEONIA
Flies
Flows are back on the rise this week and are expected to top out around 20,000 cfs and hold for a few days starting this weekend. Water temps are holding in the mid-40s making nymphing the most productive tactic out there. Using a double nymph rig with a stonefly on the point and a smaller attractor fly works great this time of year. The streamer bite is still on. It is just a much slower and deeper presentation, so using a sink-tip is critical this time of year. Looks like we have more snow and freezing temps on the way, so the heat of the day will be your best bet for some winter action.
Pend Oreille River
Temps – 46-48
Flies
Things are getting cold out there, so your best option will be that short heat of the day window to find some active trout feeding subsurface. There are still some good options for catching nice sized perch out there; we are able to find them throughout the winter, and they make for a good tug on the line during the cold months.
Small lakes
Temps 45-48
Flies
Ice has started to form on smaller ponds and lakes around the area, so the stillwater season is starting to wrap up for the year. If you do have plans to make it out, it’s going to require a very slow retrieve on sinking lines to entice the trout in these lakes. The perch should still be a viable option since they school up and cruise this time of year even after the ice forms.