Wide channel from river and paved launch give fairly large boats to access this lake. Motors Allowed
Killarney Lake (500 acres) is the deepest of the chain lakes at about 100 ft. The channel to this lake is marked by a boat launch on the left (E.) side of the CdA River right at the entrance to the channel with the name of the lake on a very visible sign. This channel is long, wide (20’), and deep (6-10’) and in most cases wide enough for boats to pass each other safely (largest channel of the chain lakes). This lake also has two islands, one which is private (Hidden Island) on the southwest side. This islands western most shore is connected to a large wet land. To the N. is Popcorn Island (also known as Killarney Island). You may find it hard to find when you first enter the lake as it blends in well with its background. So head N. on the lake and you will find it. It’s a wooded dome shaped Island with one campsite on top and a dock on its N. shore, which may or may not be there as some years the dock is there and some year not. It also has a nice trail that goes around it and some picnic areas. To the E. on this lake is a boat launch with dock (nice little channel that runs from the launch into deeper part of the lake), campsites, and restroom, very nice facilities (YES it has running water). There is another camping area with dock a short distance from the boat launch with no launch facility (see more info below), but again the dock may or may not be there as last time I was there the dock had been move to the launch area. This lake is great for any water sport activity.
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| Lake channel access from the Coeur d'Alene River |
BLM BOAT LAUNCH AND CAMP SITES (All facilities on this lake are ran by the BLM) - http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/coeur_d_alene/recreation_sites_.html
Killarney Lake Boat Launch - Concrete boat ramp, docks, paved parking and 12 primitive camp units are situated on the shore of the Lake (no hook ups). Drinking water is available from a hand lift pump. Camp units, water and vault toilet are accessible. Snow is plowed in the winter for ice fishing access. The last time I checked Fees for using this site is $8/site, plus $1/each additional person over 5 persons. Open year around. Directions: About 28 miles southeast of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. US-90 east from Coeur d'Alene for 19 miles to the Rose Lake/St. Maries exit. Follow State Highway 3 south for 4 miles and take Killarney Lake Road to the right for 3.5 miles. Maps: View Google Map below...
Killarney Lake Picnic Site - This small site on the Shore of Killarney Lake has one picnic unit and two tent camping units. Access is by boat or a short foot path from the road. There is no drinking water. A pit toilet and one boat dock are provided at times but was moved to the launch site last time I was there, so this restroom may or may not be at this site. So this site may or may not be accessible via boat. There is no fee to use this site the last time I checked and is open year-round. Directions: About 29 miles southeast of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. US-90 east from Coeur d'Alene for 19 miles to the Rose Lake/St. Maries exit. Follow State Highway 3 south for 4 miles and take Killarney Lake Road to the right for 4 miles. Maps: View Google Map below...
Popcorn Island - This small, one-acre Island on the northern end of Killarney Lake is developed with one primitive camp unit and one picnic unit. A boat dock and vault toilet may or may not be present at this site, depending on if they have the funding to fix the dock, etc. If there is no dock you would need to pull up to the shore, which is ok for kayaks/canoes but may not be a good idea for powerboats when thee is a lot of wave action, as the shore is rocky and will damage you hull. No fees to use this site the last time I checked. Use season: May through September. Directions: About 28 miles southeast from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Boat access only, nearest launch site is Killarney Lake. From Coeur d'Alene take US-90 east for 19 miles to the Rose Lake/St. Maries exit, follow Highway 3 south for 4 miles and take Killarney Lake Road to the right for 3.5 miles. See below on Google Map...
| Hidden Island - This small, two-acre Island on the southwest side of Killarney Lake is un developed with no developed sites for camping. There is a primitive trail on the Island and spots one could camp. Please obey any use limit signs. Directions: About 28 miles southeast from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Boat access only, nearest launch site is Killarney Lake. From Coeur d'Alene take US-90 east for 19 miles to the Rose Lake/St. Maries exit, follow Highway 3 south for 4 miles and take Killarney Lake Road to the right for 3.5 miles. Access the Island via the boat launch and head west of the lake. |
There is no FOREST SERVICE sites/access on this lake.
Maps: To view a map click on http://www.mapquest.com and type in Killarney Lake, Idaho and you will see this lake easily. Boat Launch & Park info: http://www.co.kootenai.id.us/departments/parkswaterways/facilities/KillarneyLaunch.asp - Popcorn (Killarney) Island info http://www.co.kootenai.id.us/departments/parkswaterways/facilities/KillarneyIsland.asp
Holidays in killarney, February 28, 2013 at 6:34 AM: Very good article! We will be linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.
ReplyDeleteJuly 21, 2016 at 9:52 AM: Where is it 100' deep? Deepest I've seen on fishfinder is about 25 to 28 ft. This lake has a bad infestation of millfoil that as killing off Lilly pads and a small round leaf water plant along the shorelines.
ReplyDeleteJuly 21, 2016 at 9:57 AM: The dock at Popcorn island was destroyed several years ago and not rebuilt. The floating dock potties from Popcorn island and the east shore picnic areas have been towed to the main dock at the campground and are chained to the docks their. This provides more dock area... nice... but the potties do smell downwind and haven't been pumped in awhile. Camp fee is $10.
ReplyDeleteA new dock and toilets were in place in 2020
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July 21, 2016 at 10:04 AM: This is a beautiful lake. Boating isn't so good as it used to be due to millfoil. I watched two small bots and on bigger one have to stop and clean it off their engines after they stalled due to weeds... trying to get from launch to the main lake. Some guys from a private research company were taking lake samples for I'll foil right at the dock... but the dock area I'd pretty clear. 200' out it gets bad. Most days there is a steady but stiff breeze for the west (at the launch) or south (at the lake north end)... about 10am to 6pm.
ReplyDeleteOctober 29, 2016 at 2:11 PM: Thanks for the July 2016 comments. I will do some changes based on the info you supplied but will also head out there to take a look. Will check with the county to see if they are going to rebuild the popcorn Island dock.
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