Spokane

Expect to find lots of rainbow trout when fishing the turnouts downstream of Tumtum, as well as smallmouth bass, black crappie, and yellow perch. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) also encourages northern pike harvest. In Lake Spokane (aka Long Lake), year-round statewide rules apply.

Because of contaminants and to protect redband trout, the Spokane River from Nine Mile Dam to Idaho is now one section with one set of regulations. There are selective gear rules, no bait, barbless hooks, and you can keep two hatchery rainbow trout per day; everything else is catch and release.

Washington and Idaho’s Department of Health recommend checking fish advisories. In some areas it may mean limiting certain types of fish eaten or not eating fish at all.

Coeur d’Alene

Fernan Lake, near Coeur d’Alene, is open for fishing all year. You can find bluegill/pumpkinseed/sunfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass (in shallow, warm water April-May, moving out to deeper water in summer), catfish, yellow perch, rainbow and brook trout, and white crappie.

Sandpoint

Look for largemouth bass, catfish, white crappie, yellow perch as well as rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and brown trout at Cocolalla Lake. Round Lake has bluegill/pumpkinseed/sunfish, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass, brook and rainbow trout. Unique to Shepherd Lake is tiger muskie, but you’ll also find largemouth bass, bluegill/pumpkinseed/sunfish, and yellow perch.

For all three lakes there are bag limits and restrictions for certain species.

Originally published as “Fish Found Near Your Front Door” in the May-June 2021 issue as a sidebar for “Fishing Close to Home” feature story.

[Feature photo courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – rainbow trout.]

Read more fishing stories in the OTO archives.

The post Know What Fish Species can Be Found In Local Lakes and Rivers appeared first on Out There Venture.

Here are some places to check out nearer to town that require only feet or a small boat.

Tumtum and Lake Spokane

Randy Osborne, district fisheries biologist for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, recommends Lake Spokane for both fishing from the shoreline and small boats like kayaks or canoes. WDFW and Avista have been stocking the reservoir northwest of Riverside State Park with 155,000 triploid rainbow trout. Triploid fish are hatchery raised and cannot crossbreed with wild trout.

“May is a magical month,” says Osborne. “The water is cool enough that trout are really active, but some parts of the reservoir (Lake Spokane) have warmed up enough that crappie and perch are in the shallows and more available.”

For bank anglers, Osborne recommends fishing the turnouts downstream of Tumtum, right off Highway 291. Also recommended is the boat launch along the peninsula where the Little Spokane river runs into Long Lake. It is accessible via Highway 291 and N. Shoemaker Ln. As far as regulations go, this spot is considered part of Long Lake.

Another access is Willow Bay Resort. While they do charge for launch and dock fishing, it is centrally located near Tumtum, about halfway down the reservoir.

Liberty Lake, Wash.

Osborne says Liberty Lake has seen some good fishing over the last couple of years. Boats can launch at the WDFW access site, and fishing is allowed off the pier. The season opens each year on March 1 and WDFW works hard to get the lake stocked by that date. However, late this summer WDFW may be redeveloping that site and there could be closures while they redo the pier.

Fernan Lake, Idaho

Fernan Lake has two boat ramps and most of the northern shoreline is publicly accessible, making this a great spot to get your feet wet near Coeur d’ Alene. Fernan Park and the lake’s western boat launch are right off I-90.

Post Falls Park Pond, Idaho

Andy Dux with Idaho Fish and Game also recommends the pond at Falls Park in Post Falls, east of Avista and the Post Falls Dam. This pond is heavily stocked with rainbow trout, easily accessible from town, is open all year, and provides great opportunities for family fishing.

Sandpoint, Idaho Area: Pend Oreille, Round, Cocolalla, and Shepherd Lakes

Urban fishing near the town of Sandpoint is limited without a good boat, but good shoreline fishing can be had at Sandpoint City Beach. However, there are some great options within 15 minutes of downtown at Round Lake State Park, Cocolalla Lake, and Shepherd Lake, all of which are just south of Sagle, Idaho, and proximate to Highway 95.

Round Lake has good shoreline fishing and is good for small boats. Cocolalla Lake is great for small boats, canoes, and kayaks but does not have much access for shoreline fishing. Shepherd Lake is ideal for small boats, with some nice shoreline access on the west side of the lake.

Remember any boat or watercraft (even kayaks, canoes, and drift boats) need an Invasive Species Sticker in Idaho. Purchase one online or at a licensed vendor.

Crystal Atamian is a trail runner and organic gardener whose son is teaching her to love fishing. She has written about huckleberry picking, solar installation, and several destination hikes for Out There.

Read more fishing stories in the OTO archives.

The post Fishing Close to Home in Spokane & North Idaho appeared first on Out There Venture.

SPOKANE COUNTY 

Fish Lake: The rustic park has a compact waterfront swimming beach and small dock, but it is a great lake for paddling or fishing. There’s a small boat launch for non-motorized watercraft (electric motors or paddling only), and the park includes playgrounds and bathroom facility (be aware that the facility receives limited maintenance). Bring a picnic blanket or camp chairs since there are no picnic tables. Nearby is a trailhead for the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park. 

Liberty Lake: A beach and playground are the highlights at Liberty Lake Regional Park (daily entrance fee required). A boat launch and dock are located at the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife access site (Discover Pass required). 

Medical Lake: Waterfront Park has expansive, grassy grounds that make it easy to physically distance from other household groups. There’s also a wide swimming beach and areas to launch a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Enjoy a bike ride or stroll along the tree-shaded, paved Medical Lake Trail on the west shoreline. On the east shore of the lake is Coney Island Park for picnicking and wildlife viewing, and the north end has Peper Park.   

Lake Spokane: Access this 24-mile reservoir along the Spokane River, located between Nine Mile Falls and Long Lake Dam, from Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area or Lake Spokane campground. 

Lake Coeur d’Alene: swimming near City Park (left), sailing at NIC beach, and stand-up paddling near Tubbs Hill. // Photo: Amy McCaffree (left and upper right); Shallan Knowles (lower right).

NORTH IDAHO 

Chatcolet Lake: Heyburn State Park’s Chatcolet Day Use area has a boat launch, small primitive access sites for wading and swimming, a playground, picnic shelters, and trailhead for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Within the state park property, you’ll also find Plummer Point (dog friendly beach), Rocky Point Beach and Marina, and three campgrounds. 

Lake Chatcolet at Heyburn State Park. // Photos: Amy McCaffree

Coeur d’Alene Lake: There are three main access sites in the downtown core of the city of Coeur d’Alene. (1) Tubbs Hill: This city park natural area has a popular 2.2-mile loop hiking trail around the peninsula along with spur trails to access small, sandy primitive beaches. Nearby is McEuen Park, which includes a huge playground, splash pad, dog park, and boat launch. (2) City Park: Kids can enjoy the swimming beach, dig in the rocky sand, and play at Fort Sherman Playground. Picnic on the grass and bike or walk the North Idaho Centennial Trail. (3) Sunsport at Yap-Keehn-Um Beach: Also located along the Centennial Trail is a public beach at the edge of the North Idaho College campus (locals refer to it as “NIC Beach”). You can park on campus (free) or drive here via Rosenberry Drive, with limited street parking. NIC’s Outdoor Pursuits boat house rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and sailboats. Call ahead to confirm availability (208-769-3290).  

Hayden Lake: Honeysuckle Beach in the city of Hayden has a large swimming beach, dock, and boat launch.  

Pend Oreille Lake: There are two main public access sites for day use on the lake’s west side. (1) Sandpoint’s City Beach has a large swimming beach and playground. (2) Towards the lake’s south end, Farragut State Park’s Beaver Bay Beach provides a calm swimming area. 

Round Lake: Enjoy the beach, fishing dock, trail around the lake, and flatwater for paddling at Round Lake State Park—located near Sagle, south of Sandpoint.  

Q’emiln Park: Located in Post Falls along the Spokane River, it’s not on a lake, but the park is spacious with a great swimming beach (day parking fee required). It only opens, however, after Avista closes the nearby downstream dam, which usually happens by mid-July. You can also hike or mountain bike on trails in the nearby Community Forest.

Amy McCaffree is special section editor and Out There Kids columnist. Her favorite summer recreation activities are stand-up paddling, kayaking, camping, and swimming with her husband and their two kids.

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