Departments   /   Recreation   /   Waterways
Waterways



Photo Credit: Sandpoint Drone Photography

Launches in Bonner County to visit at low lake level


Bonner County maintains 6 boat launches:  Garfield Bay, Hope Basin, Laclede, Bonner Park West, Slee street in Priest Lake, and Coolin Launch in Priest Lake. (interactive map in the future)

We also have numerous primitive launches and accesses to the water

Launches to use at low pool 

Pend Oreille Lake: Garfield Bay - A Bonner County boat launch located in Sagle Idaho
Hope Boat Launch - A Bonner County boat launch located right off of Highway 200 East

Laclede: small craft only recommended 


Public Launches and Ramps

Pend Oreille Lake:

Pend Oreille River:

Priest Lake:

  • Beaver Creek Launch
  • Coolin Boat Launch
  • North Tule Bay Boat Launch
  • Slee Street Boat Launch

Private Marina's & Fee Launches

Pend Oreille Lake & River:

  • Dover Bay Boat Launch
  • Hope Marina
  • Island View Resort Boat Launch
  • Kramer Marina Boat Launch
  • Willow Bay Marina Boat Launch 

Priest Lake:

  • Elkins Resort
  • Grandview Resort
  • Granite Creek Marina
  • Hills Resort Boat Launch
  • Indian Creek Marina Boat Launches
  • Kalispell Bay Boat Launch
  • Kaniksu Resort Boat Launch
  • Lionhead Boat Launch
  • Priest Lake Marina Boat Launch


*Bonner County launches are all Day Use Sites ONLY and there is No Camping Allowed and No overnight parking. If you are looking for camping, Garfield Bay Campground is open during the summer months. You can make a reservation for Garfield Bay through reserveamerica.com or check out some other campgrounds in the area at recreation.gov. also Sandpointonline.com

Bonner County Boating Regulations & Safety 


If you will be boating more in Bonner county that's Priest Lake or Lake Pend Oreille Than anywhere else, We strongly encourage you to register your boat in Bonner County, The funds we raise from this helps us maintain our waterways throughout the year.  Click the hyperlink Vendors for an assortment of Registration Locations.


No Wake Zones: A designated area where the operation of watercraft must be accomplished at not more than 5 miles per hour, nor with more than a 6-inch wake, whichever is greater. The listed limit on Bonner County Waterways is 200 feet from the shoreline or structure.

Regulatory Buoys: verbiage about types of buoys, where and why. How to apply for a new reg. Buoy to be placed in a specific location, (clickable link to application)
Speed Limits: Where speed is not otherwise regulated, the speed limit should be reasonable but not in excess of 50mph on Lake Pend Oreille, Pend Oreille River, Priest Lake, & Upper Priest Lake, and 35 mph on the Clark Fork River and Come Back Bay.
Boating Accidents: If your boat is involved in an accident you need to stop the vessel immediately at the scene and assist anyone who may be injured or in danger from the accident. The operator must give in writing his or her name, address, and vessel identification to the owner of any property damaged by the accident.

*It is unlawful to operate or to allow the operation of a motor-driven watercraft by a person under the age of 10 except under direct adult supervision.*

If you have questions feel free to check out the Marine Division Website or call the Bonner County Sheriff's Office: (208) 263-8417 or non-emergency dispatch: (208) 265-5525. 

Education: many organizations and Government Agencies offer education courses and training for boat operations, such as the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadron, and Bonner County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's office will be conducting a Boat Idaho Course about 3 times each spring/summer for anyone wanting to learn basic boating laws and safety. Visit HERE to sign up for their class or inquire for more information. 

Boat Responsibly!  For more information see the links for Facebook and Twitter below: 
https://www.facebook.com/IdahoBoatingProgram   &  https://twitter.com/boatidaho

  • Wear a life jacket. 

  • Never operate a boat under the influence. 

  • Take a boating safety course. 

  • Get a free Vessel Safety Check.  





Important Information about Invasive Species 

Important Information about Invasive Species  - FAQ

Bonner County and many other County’s, States, and organizations are trying to keep Eurasian Watermilfoil and Zebra Mussels out of our waterways.

20090717_eurasian_water_milfoil_zebra_mussels_33-300x207.jpg


Be responsible and wash all boats and trailers before launching. Throughout Bonner County, there are many boat check stations to help prevent the spread of these dangerous aquatic species with the Clean, Drain, Dry Your Boat initiative. This program is run by the Bonner County Soil & Water Conservation District 

What is the Idaho Boat Inspection Program?

The Idaho Boat Inspection Program is managed by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture(ISDA). The program began in 2009 to prevent aquatic invasive species such as quagga/zebra mussels from invading Idaho waterways. Bonner county stations are managed by Bonner Soil & Water Conservation District and are located at Albeni Falls Visitor Center, the old Samuels weigh station on Hwy 95 North, and along Hwy 200 in Clark Fork. In addition to inspecting and washing boats thoroughly, boat inspectors engage in education and boater survey information.

If you have questions regarding this program, would like to report a suspect boat, or need information on an aquatic invasive species, please contact ISDA @ (208) 608-3404.

Where to buy Invasive Species Stickers?

  • Samuels old weigh station (Inspection Station)

  • Albeni Falls (Inspection Station)

  • Clark Fork (Inspection Station)

  • Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District 

  • Alpine Shop (Downtown Sandpoint)

  • Big 5 Sporting Goods (only non-motorized)

  • Sandpoint Marine & Motorsports

Who needs an Invasive Species Sticker

  • If your boat is registered in Idaho you do not need to purchase a sticker, it is included in your registration fee. 

  • If you are from Idaho and have a non-motorized boat 10’ or longer, you will need a sticker.

  • If you are from out of state, you will need to purchase an invasive species sticker for your motorized and non - motorized watercraft 10' or longer.

  • Kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, any vessel that floats in the water is required by state law to STOP at inspection stations.

Sticker Prices

  •  Motorized boats - $30.00

  •  Non-motorized - $7.00

What can you do?

Clean, drain, dry your watercraft and all your equipment.  Mussels and other aquatic invasive organisms need water to survive.  Please take the time to thoroughly clean and dry your gear.  Moving invasive plants and animals within Idaho waterways is also of serious concern.

Who needs to stop at the stations?

Anyone with a motorized or non-motorized watercraft 10’ or longer.

By state law, no person shall proceed past or travel through an established inspection station during its hours of operation while towing, carrying or transporting any conveyance without presenting such conveyance for inspection. The Idaho Invasive Species Act of 2008. 22-1908

Idaho Boat Inspection Stations Ramp up Operating Hours

Idaho is playing hard ball again this year in the fight against quagga/zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species who think they can hitch a ride by boat across the country and hang out in our waters. The Idaho legislature has authorized stations to be opened from dawn till dusk this season. Targeting early morning and late night travelers. Idaho has been successfully operating mandatory boat inspection stations since 2009, but every year there are some minor kinks to work out.  Expanding hours of operation is an important improvement this year and shows Idaho’s commitment to this effort.

Stations in Southern Idaho began opening on March 10th and have inspected almost 2,800 boats since then. Eight mussel fouled boats have been discovered so far, all from Lake Havasu. Boats are actively moving across the states with this beautiful spring weather.  Boats traveling from mussel infested waters such as Lake Mead, Lake Powell and Lake Havasu are common visitors to Idaho’s inspection stations. Invasive quagga/zebra mussels have been found in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, California, and most recently in Montana waterways.

If mussels were introduced to our waters, it would cost Idaho approx. $100 million annually just to manage their impacts. Eradication would be very unlikely.  These bivalves attach themselves to hard and soft surfaces and don’t let go.  Then they multiply at an exponential rate. Quagga/zebra mussels are gluttonous filter feeders who eliminate phytoplankton, ultimately destroying the entire food web.  Our fishery here in North Idaho would suffer greatly and the quality of life we experience on our abundant lakes would change drastically.

Here in Bonner County we have 3 Inspection Stations opening May 4th: Samuels, Albeni Falls Visitor Center and Clark Fork.  These stations are managed by Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District and will be open from dawn to dusk (5:30- 9:00).

For more information please visit our website at Bonnerswcd.org or call 208 263-5310.

-  Bonner County Mooring Buoys - Use at your own risk, maximum of 14-day limit to moor

-  Title 3 Bonner County Code – Water Safety Regulations for all Public Waters

-  Title 3 Bonner County Code – Public Waters – Schedule A – Infraction Penalties

Bonner County Waterways Advisory Board

If additional information is requested regarding the Waterways Advisory Committee you may contact Matt Zoeller at 208-255-5681 Ext. 4 or one of the Bonner County Commissioners at 208-265-1438.

Priest Lake Water Management Project: information about the work completed for the Thorofare and work on the Outlet Dam.