Chilco Lake, Kootenai County, Idaho
Private. Small Boats, No Motors Allowed
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Chilco Lake (40 acres) is pretty much unknown to anyone other than those that own the property around it (2 owners), or live near by. Kootenai County owns the Chilco Falls park just in front of the lake (no lake access to this park yet) that is currently not open until the county gets an access road, which they are working on getting. Some people rock climb at the falls as there are visible anchors. From Rimrock Road you can get glimpses of this lake. Again this lake is privately owned and you MUST get permission to access the lake (see contact info below). I actually discovered this lake by accident on a map, as most maps do not show this lake. This lake is about a 40 acre lake and wind can easily get to it as this lake sits high above I-95 on a ridge. I think this would be a fun little lake to dinghy or sail yak on. Fish & Game policy allows no motorized boats on this lake, again that is if you could get to it legally. There are several spots on the South end of the lake that one could launch from once permission is granted from the Land owner. Also next to and near the dam there are several spots that are ideal to launch into the lake. Directions: You can possibly access this lake by getting permission from one of the land owners by getting info from Kootenai County. If you get permission to access the lake you can get to it by either hiking or driving the gravel road (has a gate that is locked) that runs along the power lines. Coming from either Coeur d'Alene or Sandpoint on HWY 95 take the Abbot Rd Exit, turn right/east at the end of the off ramp, turn left/north onto N. Pope Rd. You will see the major power lines crossing the road... This is the access road. Again this gate is locked and is a private road. There is another access road off of Rim Rock road, just south of the major power lines that cross the road. Again a private road that is gated and locked. Also the power line road does not continue to the other side of the lake... a creek stops the road. See the Google map below. Maps: See Google interactive map below...
Chilco Lake... Zoom in to see larger view of the lake, etc.
David Cantwell, August 28, 2016 at 2:45 PM: Where is the contact info? I would like to get permissions to visit this lake
ReplyDeleteOctober 29, 2016 at 1:59 PM: David what I understand is this lake is almost totally private. The end with the dam is owned by the county but all the land around it is not public. I would contact Kootenai County to get more info. One has to be careful not to go on private land without permission of the land owner.
ReplyDeleteHas there been an access road put in yet?
ReplyDeleteThat is a good question. Need to drive out there and check. Did you hear some news that they were putting an access road in. My understanding is the land around the lake is all private.
DeleteKootenai County GIS shows an access off Pope Rd, to the west of the falls. Parks and Waterways would be able to confirm the access
ReplyDeleteYes, I looked into that but its all-private land with no public access. If one hikes around the lake, one will find a lot of well-traveled paths, yet again I cannot find any public access. Seem the lake and falls, which is public is all surrounded by private land.
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