County-by-County [D-F]...

This section gives a brief description of fishing opportunities in each county, arranged in alphabetical order. For specific regulation information, refer to the Fishing in Washington sport fishing rules pamphlet. Until the current year's pamphlet is available (usually by May 1 at the latest), continue to use the previous edition. Also check local newspapers or the nearest WDFW regional office for the latest information on emergency closures.

The wheelchair symbol indicates lakes or streams with enhanced accessibility.

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Columbia River: Anglers are reminded that the Columbia River and all tributaries in Douglas County are closed to steelhead fishing. Walleye fishing is popular on the stretch of river bordering Douglas County. Spring fishing can be good below Coulee Dam. Fewer but larger fish are found at Chief Joseph and Wells dams. Anglers willing to explore can find dandy-sized walleye down to Wanapum Pool, but it takes dedicated searching. A new state record rainbow trout (25.45 pounds) was caught in Rufus Woods Lake in February 1998.

Grimes Lake (124 acres): Fishing is expected to be good for Lahontan cutthroat trout. Fish up to five pounds are common, and bigger fish are around. The WDFW District Fish Biologist weighed an 11-1/2 pounder during the 1999 season. Located about 5-1/2 miles southeast of Mansfield, Grimes has selective gear rules in addition to the short summer-only (June 1 through August 31) season. Parking is limited for the opener.

Jameson Lake (332 acres): This popular lake eight miles south of Mansfield suffered high-water problems during the past several winters. Spring fishing has been variable for yearling rainbow trout to 11 inches during previous seasons, due to suspected winter-kill problems. A mild winter brings improved prospects for this year. There are resorts and a large public access with camping area. In normal years, large crowds should be expected for both split season openers. Disabled accessibility - Level 2. Two WCTs, lgs, Blk Tpa around launch. Also camping spots, dirt paths, gravel paths, big area. (Note: Disabled accessibility, camping and launching information may not apply this year because of access problems. Call the WDFW regional office in Ephrata for updated information.)

Rock Island ponds: Bordering the town of Rock Island, these year-round waters are managed primarily for bass and bluegill. A rehabilitation was done a few years ago to remove stunted perch and sunfish that were limiting growth of bass and bluegill. Unfortunately, illegal re-introductions have been made, and bass/bluegill populations are growing slowly, but should offer limited catches of bass over 12 inches and bluegill 7 to 8 inches. Catchable-size (10 inches) rainbow trout are stocked annually in March and just prior to Free Fishing Weekend in June. Expect fair rainbow fishing this year.

FERRY COUNTY

Columbia River / Roosevelt, Lake: See Stevens County, which contains 43% of this impoundment. (Compared to 35% in Ferry County.)

Curlew Lake (870 acres): Spring and early summer fishing for planted and net-pen reared rainbow trout should be fair at this year-round lake just north of Republic. Largemouth bass are caught in the summer and fall. Tiger muskies were planted in the summer of 1998 to control a large northern pikeminnow population. Tiger muskies must be released until they are 36 inches long. Resorts, camping, picnicking, and public boat access are all available at Curlew Lake State Park.

Davis Lake (17 acres): This small lake northwest of Boyds offers 9- to 12-inch cutthroat trout from annual fry plants. A few rainbow trout may remain from earlier plants made due to a shortage of cutthroat. A Forest Service campground is available. Open season runs from the last Saturday in April to the end of October. The lake may not be accessible on opening day due to unusually heavy snowfall this past winter.

Ellen Lake (78 acres): Annual rainbow trout fry plants usually provide excellent fishing here. Located 14 miles north of Inchelium, Ellen receives lots of fishing pressure because of a developed Forest Service campground. Open season is from the last Saturday in April to October 31.

Empire lakes (6 acres total): Eastern brook trout fry plants are regularly made in these small lakes in the Colville National Forest, and anglers can expect to land 8-inchers by the opener. Open season runs from the last Saturday in April to the end of October.

Ferry Lake (19 acres): Annual plants of catchable-size rainbow trout keep this year-round lake a useable fishery, despite frequent winter kills. It is located nine miles south of Republic on Highway 21, up Scatter Creek Road to the west. A Forest Service campground is available.

Fish Lake (4 acres): This little alpine lake, at 3,300 feet elevation, gets an annual plant of catchable-size rainbow trout. It's located a few miles south of Ferry Lake by county road. Open season is from the last Saturday in April through October 31.

Kettle River: To protect its native spawning rainbow trout, this waterway has changed from a year-round season to a shortened season with special gear, size, and bag limit restrictions. Check the regulations pamphlet for details. Mountain whitefish provide an excellent late winter fishery. Sturgeon fishing is catch-and-release only. The lower boundary has been moved from Napolean Bridge upstream to Barstow Bridge.

Long Lake (14 acres): Fry-planted cutthroat trout at this fly-fishing-only lake should give those anglers some 9- to 17-inch catches, especially by fall. Long Lake is southwest of Republic in the Scatter Creek drainage and has a Forest Service campground and boat launch. Motorized boats are not allowed. Open season is last Saturday in April to the end of October.

Renner Lake (9.6 acres): This small subalpine lake (2,525 feet) is stocked occasionally with brown trout catchables and brook trout fry. The lake is located about two miles west from Barstow and six miles south from Orient. There is a small Forest Service campground and a primitive boat launch site. Access is a walk-in of about one-half mile. Open season runs from the last Saturday in April through October 31.

Roosevelt, Lake: See Stevens County.

Swan Lake (52 acres): This high-elevation (3,641 feet) lake is stocked with rainbow trout fry annually. The lake is southwest of Republic up the Scatter Creek drainage, just a few miles east of the Okanogan County line. An improved Forest Service campground is located on the east shore. Open season runs from the last Saturday in April to October 31.

Trout Lake (8 acres): Rainbow trout fry go into this little lake, 8-1/2 miles west of Kettle Falls at the southeast end of Hoodoo Canyon, to give anglers some nice-size trout early on. There is a boat launch at the Forest Service campground. Open season is from the last Saturday in April to October 31.

Ward Lake (7 acres): Spring angling action should be good here for eastern brook trout if winter-kill is not a problem. Ward is located 9-1/2 miles north of Republic, and has a traditional April opener.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Clark Pond (49.3 acres): This pond located about five miles southwest of Mesa contains largemouth bass, crappie and perch. Open season is year-round.

Columbia River, Pools and Sloughs: This area provides good fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, sunfish, crappie and brown bullhead. Some walleyes are also taken. Boat-launch facilities are at Ringold, Wahluke, and in the Tri-Cities area. Channel catfish are caught throughout this area, with some 6- to 8-pounders. Sturgeon fishing has been fair throughout this portion of the Columbia. Fall chinook salmon return to the Hanford Reach area from September through November; salmon fishing prospects are similar to the last several years. The Ringold-area bank-fishing season for spring chinook will open either May 1 or May 15 this year; check with the WDFW regional office in Yakima for the latest information. As a result of the NMFS listing upper Columbia River steelhead under the Endangered Species Act, steelhead fishing in the Columbia above Tri-Cities will be closed, except for a possible bank fishery at Ringold.

Dalton Lake (30 acres): This narrow lake lies near the north side of the Snake River, about five miles northeast of Ice Harbor Dam. It is planted in spring with catchable-size rainbow trout. Fishing is good but short-lived, although the pond is open year-round. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and bullhead catfish are also present.

Emma Lake (20 acres): This railroad-fill lake is located near Page, about seven miles northeast of Ice Harbor Dam. It has largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch and bullhead catfish. Emma is open to fishing year-round.

Kahlotus Lake (300+ acres): Fluctuating water levels in this lake by the town of Kahlotus have hampered access and fishing success in recent years. The WDFW stocked largemouth bass and bluegill in 1999. The new standard bass slot limit is in effect; check the regulations pamphlet for details. Fishing will be slow in 2000, but Kahlotus could be an excellent warmwater fishing opportunity in the future if water levels stabilize. Open season is year-round.

Marmes Pond (3 acres): This small pond near the mouth of the Palouse River is stocked with rainbow trout in March. It is open to fishing year-round.

Mesa Lake (50 acres): This lake about one mile southwest of the town of Mesa contains warmwater species, including largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, walleye and bullhead catfish. Recent WDFW sampling found that yellow perch are the most abundant gamefish. Open to fishing year-round.

Powerline (Barker) Lake (22 acres): Located on WDFW-managed Windmill Ranch Unit, eight miles northwest of Mesa. Good fishing for small largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and brown bullhead catfish. Designated parking area and walk-in access only (approximately 2-1/2 miles).

Railroad Pond (10 acres): This small pond two miles northeast of Mesa has been converted from a production water to a quality trout fishery, starting May 1, 2000. New regulations (check the 2000-2001 regulations pamphlet) and large trout are expected to attract anglers who enjoy catch-and-release fishing with flies and lures. Rainbow trout will run from 8 to 18 inches. In addition, Railroad Pond has been selected to receive a bonus plant of large trout as part of a special program passed by the state legislature. These triploid rainbow trout averaging 1-1/2 pounds each are purchased by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Because they are sterile triploids, fish that "carry over" have the possibility to grow to trophy size.

Scooteney Reservoir (685 acres): Smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, and yellow perch produce good action throughout the year. This lake ten miles southeast of Othello is popular for ice fishing when conditions allow. An excellent campground on the west side has a developed access area and toilets. The season is open year-round.

Snake River: Refer to Garfield County.

Worth Lake (10 acres): This small lake four miles northwest of the town of Mesa has a variety of warmwater fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch and bullhead catfish. It is open to fishing year-round.