Lake Coeur d'Alene is closing up for winter: pump-outs off, docks coming out at two launches

Kootenai County shut off the Carlin Bay and Harrison pump-outs Thursday. On Nov. 19 the docks come out at Mica Bay, for a rebuild, and at Spokane Point, for winter storage.

If you still have a boat on Lake Coeur d'Alene, three things change this month. All three come from Kootenai County Parks and Waterways notices posted Nov. 9.

PUMP-OUTS: OFF AS OF THURSDAY, NOV. 12

- The vessel pump-outs at Carlin Bay and Harrison are shut down for the season.
- The county says it will turn them back on as early as possible in the spring. It gives no date.

MICA BAY: DOCKS COME OUT THURSDAY, NOV. 19

- The docks at the Mica Bay Boat Launch will be removed.
- This one is not only for winter. The county calls it a boat launch improvement project and says to expect new docks and a concrete launch in spring 2027.

SPOKANE POINT: DOCKS GO TO STORAGE THURSDAY, NOV. 19

- The docks at the Spokane Point Boat Launch will be moved to winter storage.
- The county says the launch itself is open.
- The docks go back in the spring when the weather allows. The county says it plans to store them every winter until further notice.

WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW YET

- The county's notice does not say whether the Mica Bay launch stays usable while the work is done, or what the project costs.
- We checked the state's list of 2026 recreation grants. It shows no award for Mica Bay, so we cannot say who is paying for it.
- None of the three notices lists a phone number. The county's general address for questions is kcinfo@kcgov.us.