Stretching almost 27 miles from Coulee City at the south to Electric City at the north, this large reservoir is very popular with anglers pursuing many species. Smallmouth Bass and Walleye are the most popular species. There is also a loyal following of anglers who fish for the reservoirs most numerous species, Lake Whitefish. Panfish, Rainbow Trout, and Kokanee can also be caught in Banks Lake. During most winters Banks Lake freezes over providing a popular ice fishery.
Banks Lake is one of the waters on which we conduct our annual Fall Walleye Index Netting (FWIN) surveys. The FWIN methodology was developed in Ontario, Canada as a means of monitoring a wide variety of biological parameters in Walleye populations in a standardized fashion using gill nets.
A cooperative net pen rearing project between WDFW and the local communities releases several hundred thousand Rainbow Trout. These releases have improved the trout fishery in Banks Lake significantly.
Banks Lake can be fished year-round and is a great vacation destination.
Two-pole fishing is allowed
Shoreline access: Good
There are several places to fish along the easter shoreline of Banks Lake.
- Ankeny Road North
- Ankeny Road South
- Barker Canyon
- Million Dollar Mile North
- Million Dollar Mile South
- Osborn Bay Lake
Species you might catch
- Black crappie
- Bluegill
- Burbot
- Channel catfish
- Common carp
- Kokanee
- Lake whitefish
- Largemouth bass
- Rainbow trout
- Smallmouth bass
- Walleye
- Yellow perch
Lake information
County: Grant
Acreage: 26888.30 ac.
Elevation: 1574 ft.
Center: 47.85385, -119.171805
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Fishing prospects calendar
- March: Good fishing - All month
- April: Good fishing - All month
- May: Good fishing - All month
- June: Good fishing - All month
- July: Good fishing - All month
- August: Good fishing - All month
- September: Good fishing - All month
- October: Good fishing - All month
- January: Fair fishing - All month
- February: Fair fishing - All month
- March: Good fishing - All month
- April: Good fishing - All month
- May: Good fishing - All month
- June: Good fishing - All month
- July: Fair fishing - All month
- August: Fair fishing - All month
- September: Good fishing - All month
- October: Good fishing - All month
- November: Good fishing - All month
- December: Fair fishing - All month
- April: Good fishing - All month
- May: Good fishing - All month
- June: Good fishing - All month
- July: Good fishing - All month
- August: Good fishing - All month
- September: Good fishing - All month
- October: Good fishing - All month
- January: Excellent fishing - All month
- February: Excellent fishing - All month
- March: Excellent fishing - First half of month
- April: Good fishing - All month
- May: Good fishing - All month
- June: Good fishing - All month
- July: Good fishing - All month
- August: Good fishing - All month
- September: Good fishing - All month
- October: Good fishing - All month
- November: Fair fishing - All month
- December: Excellent fishing - All month
Photos
