Kootenai County clarifies boat launch fees, Bayview remains open

Bayview Boat Launch on Lake Pend Oreille will remain open for public use while Kootenai County and the Lakes Highway District Board work toward a management resolution. The county is also spelling out where the annual boat launch pass is required, which ramps accept daily fees, and which launches remain free.

The annual pass is the only boat launch pass valid at the county-managed sites listed on its fee page. Those fee locations include Bayview, Carlin Bay on Lake Coeur d’Alene, Fernan Park on Fernan Lake, Greensferry on the Spokane River, Harrison, Hauser Lake, Mica Bay, Spokane Point, Sunup Bay and Upper Twin Lakes. Bronze Bay on Spirit Lake, Fernan East on Fernan Lake and Fuller Bay on Lake Pend Oreille do not require a fee at this time.

The county’s Parks and Waterways ordinance, enacted under Idaho Code sections 31-806, 31-807 and 67-7031, states regulation is necessary “for the protection of health, safety and welfare of the general public, and for the protection of public and private property.” County boating rules make it unlawful to operate any type of vessel or watercraft on public waters within Kootenai County in a negligent manner.

Kootenai County requires any operator involved in a vessel accident or collision to report it to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department immediately.

Boaters who use the ramps often can buy the annual pass online through PayPal, and the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles sold the County Boat Launch Annual Pass. The annual boat launch pass and parking pass are free for veterans with 100% disability who provide proof of disability and Kootenai County residency under Resolution 2021-124. The veteran pass form also applies to veterans’ families and to non-remarried widow or widowers who meet the same proof and residency requirements.