Every year in December and early January, hundreds of bald eagles stop at Lake Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho during their migration to Alaska for the summer. They congregate at Wolf Lodge Bay at the north end of the lake. Often you can see them from Interstate 90 and other roads around the lake, but the best way to get a close-up look is to take a boat cruise on the lake.

Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises offers two-hour trips from the the Coeur d’Alene Resort to Wolf Lodge Bay during peak viewing season. During my trip, a biologist gave us an introduction to the eagles and their behavior. Whenever he saw eagles perched in the pines along the lakeshore, he pointed them out to us, and passengers alerted each other to their sightings.

A snack bar is open on the boat while it’s underway.

The 2020-2021 cruises run Saturday, December 5, until Sunday, January 3. Trips with a biologist on board depart at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Fares are $27.25 for adults, $25.25 for seniors 55 and older, $19.25 for children ages 6-17, and free for ages 5 and younger.

A value cruise is available at noon. It’s also two hours, but no biologist is aboard. Fares are $19.25 for adults, $18.25 for seniors 55 and older, $13.25 for children ages 6-17, and free for ages 5 and younger.

An additional $1.50 service fee is charged for each fare.

Buy tickets online.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort has packages that include the eagle-watching cruises. The package I bought included a two-night stay, the eagle watching cruise, and a holiday light cruise. For more information on the packages, contact the resort at (855) 280-4398.

For more information about the eagle-watching cruises and other cruises, visit cdacruises.com.