Conservation
The Lake Coeur d’Alene Anglers Association conservation is an important part of what we do. We work to protect and enhance the Chinook and Kokanee salmon fishery on Lake Coeur d’Alene for the current and next the next generation of anglers.
Working to Replenish the Fishery
Working With Idaho Fish and Game
LCAA partners closely with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) to preserve our local fishery. Through joint efforts on regulations, habitat support, and data sharing, we help maintain healthy salmon populations. Recent successes include advocating for updated minimum length limits on Chinook to reduce over fishing. Our members also volunteer time to work with Fish & Game in fish tagging operations that support local Fish Bounty programs, they help monitor populations and reward anglers. For moire information on volunteering to help IDFG visit Volunteer for Idaho's Wildlife.
How Members Can Help
Your participation makes a real difference. Here’s how:
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Report your catch data to IDFG during derbies and outings
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Practice ethical catch-and-release and encourage others to do the same
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Attend monthly meetings and share conservation ideas
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Recruit new members who value responsible fishing
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Supporting IDFG fish-stocking and monitoring programs
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Promoting water-quality awareness around the lake
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Participating in regional habitat improvement projects
Safe Fish Handling
The LCAA encourages its members to practice catch-and-release for most fish and to use safe fish handling techniques at all times.
While we all want to know who caught the biggest fish, this can be accomplished by weighing the fish without causing unnecessary harm.
Recommended Handling Steps:
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Remove the hook while the fish is still in the net and in the water whenever possible. Lift the net slightly to limit the fish’s movement, then use needle-nose pliers or a hook removal tool to carefully remove the hook.
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Weigh the fish while it remains in the net. This minimizes handling and reduces stress on the fish.
Warm Water Releases:
When catching fish in warm water conditions pay attention to the depth that you catch them at. Please make every effort to release them back to a similar depth. Fish caught at depth when brought to the surface have an inflated bladder “floaters” that can prevent them from swimming back down to depth. The warmer water at the surface also causes them to tire quickly. The combination of warmer surface water and an inflated bladder can cause them to die from exhaustion attempting to return to depth.