Located 5 miles northeast of Coeur d'Alene, Hayden Lake is generally considered the best warm water fishery in northern Idaho.  Its crystal clear water and timbered shores makes it one of the most beautiful and popular lakes of northern Idaho.

Prior to 1846, Americans Indians inhabited the shores of the lake.  The community of Hayden Lake began as a fishing and trapping settlement.   Local legend has it that in 1878, two early pioneers named Matt Heyden and John Hager got into a poker game to see who could name the lake and settlement.  Heyden won the right although time eventually altered the spelling to Hayden.

Reaching 178 feet in depth and covering 3800 surface acres, Hayden Lake’s irregular shape provides forty miles of shoreline.  It is fed by streams and springs.  The main portion of the lake runs seven miles long and nearly two miles in width.  Three sides of the lake is surrounded the timbered Coeur d’Alene Mountains, which rise to an elevation of 4,500 to 6,000 feet.  This land is part of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, an area rich in history and outdoor opportunities.

Castaway Fly Shop holds the exclusive guide permits for Hayden Lake.  This destination is very popular amongst our pike and bass anglers since the lake consistently produces 16” plus large- and smallmouth bass.

If you haven't tried pike and bass on the fly, we highly recommend it.  Hayden Lake also holds some of the largest crappie known to fly anglers.

Imagine the slap of the water against the boat’s hull, the snap and whine of the fly line just before a jerk on your line.  Moments later, you are bringing in a bass or pike worthy of the cover of Fly Fisherman magazine.

Hayden Lake is a great destination for half day trips, too.