Upper Priest Lake

About Upper Priest Lake

Priest Lake is located in the Kootenai National Forest, Idaho, USA, north of the city of Lake Priester. The name of this lake is derived from Kaniiksu, which probably means "black rock," and from the Jesuit priests who camped there in the first years of its existence. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the potash spelts and kootseng were Native American tribes used the environment, which was abundant in fish, game and plants, and formed part of their traditional hunting and fishing grounds.

The gold rush brought miners and families to the area, and many small dams were built, and Nell Shipman began producing the Hollywood film Mosquito Bay, which lasted only a short time due to severe winters. At the end of the 19th century it was used for transporting wood and as a fish pond.

While wood production is still an industry today, Lake Priesta is also used as a holiday home and for recreational tourism. It has been dubbed Idaho's "crown jewel" and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, mountain biking, snowmobiling, fishing and camping in summer and winter, as well as hiking and snowboarding.

The first Priest Lake Outlet dam was built in the 1950s and later replaced by a concrete dam completed in 1978. Coolin 'is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the west coast of Idaho and a popular camping and fishing destination.

The Priest Lake Dam is owned and operated by the Idaho Water Management Board and serves to generate electricity from hydropower and control recreational activities at Lake Priest.

The lake is fed by the Priest River, a tributary of the Snake River and one of the main water sources for the Idaho River Basin.
The outflow flows into the Snake River, a tributary of the Idaho River Basin, and Lake Priestland offers an abundance of wonderful recreational activities. The lake is surrounded by a variety of campsites and resorts, including Priest Lake State Park and a number of hiking trails.

Most of these sites are managed by the USFS Priest Lake Ranger District, which also operates a number of less developed, scattered campsites in the area. There are more than 400 pitches around the lake, some of which have boat moorings and are supplied with fuel and food. The largest private resort on the lake includes a hotel, golf course, indoor / outdoor pool and spa.

Some islands offer beautiful locations for boaters and campers, as well as a variety of hiking trails and trails for hiking and cycling.

Winter ice fishing is also a popular pastime, with trophy fish rising closer to the surface. There are trophies - large catches that are not unusual, as well as a variety of small, medium and large fish, such as whale eyes, perches, trout, salmon and even a few trout.

Water sports abound and the size of the lake ensures pleasant, unpolluted activities, and the waiting times at the marina are short.

Among the bird species that can be observed are the many hummingbirds that make this area their summer residence. There are no venomous snakes in the area of Lake Priestsee, but the observation of the wildlife is enhanced by the presence of a large number of birds of prey, such as the blue heron and the black-legged falcon. Other species found in this part of the state of Idaho are the American Red-tailed Falcon, the American Silver-backed Falcon and many other species.

There are many geocaching caches and even underwater areas in the area that can be strenuous. The island is home to a large number of birds of prey, such as the blue heron, the black-legged heron and the American silver falcon.

If you are in the Idaho Panhandle, you will need to bring a GPS receiver and try out some of the offerings. The Priestersee is a truly paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, set in a beautiful landscape.