Seasonal Movements of Bald Eagles

During November, the kokanee salmon of Coeur d’Alene Lake begin to spawn and die. Coinciding with this event is the arrival of the bald eagles at Wolf Lodge Bay. The eagles are lured by the plentiful supply of spawned-out kokanee. A plentiful supply of fish is available to sustain the eagles through the winter.

Populations fluctuate with the number of floating dead and dying kokanee. Numbers increase through December and peak generally between Christmas and January 1st. By the 3rd week in January the salmon begins to dwindle and most of the eagles have dispersed. Only a few are in the area through February. The last of the birds depart by early February to more southerly destinations along their migration route before returning to their traditional nesting sites. Eagles do not nest at Wolf Lodge Bay, but they have been observed nesting in other parts of northern Idaho. The number of eagles observed from year to year varies from 10 to 143, with an average of 40.