Priest Lake

The lake extends across 31 square kilometers with a maximum depth of 39 feet (12 meters), positioned at an elevation of 2,441 feet (744 meters) in the northern part of the Idaho Panhandle, surrounded by forested areas and mountains.

Pierre-Jean De Smet initially named the body of water De Boey Lake to honor his Belgian patron, while Captain John Mullan introduced its current name in 1865 after mapping the area during his surveying expeditions.

The name Kaniksu Lake means black robes in local indigenous language, referring to the area's importance for various tribes who maintained fishing grounds and seasonal camps here before European settlers arrived in the region.

The water connects with the Priest River system and offers year-round opportunities for fishing, boating, and water recreation, with several public access points along the shoreline available for visitors throughout different seasons.

During De Smet's first documentation of the water body in the 19th century, he recorded large populations of swans, ducks, and wild geese inhabiting the area, demonstrating the richness of wetland habitats in this remote mountain region.

Location: Idaho

GPS coordinates: 48.56667,-116.86667

Latest update: December 22, 2025 12:04