Big Bow Lake

This small pond is part of the Rock Island Ponds complex which borders the City of Rock Island off of Highway SR-28.  The pond has a year-round open fishing season. These waters are managed primarily as mixed species. This lake should offer limited catches of bass over 12 inches and bluegill 7 to 8 inches. Catchable-size (10-12 inches) Rainbow Trout are stocked annually in March and April. 

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - There are unimproved public boat launch areas at both the east and west ends of the lake that also provide ample bank fishing opportunities.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Douglas
Acreage: 13.20 ac.
Elevation: 609 ft.
Center: 47.383246, -120.160413
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: BIG BOW PD (DOUG)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Mar 22, 2024 Rainbow 150 0.5 CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Mar 22, 2024 Rainbow 1,530 2.5 CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Mar 11, 2024 Rainbow 3,750 2.5 CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Mar 1, 2024 Rainbow 2,875 2.5 CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Feb 28, 2024 Rainbow 3,720 2.5 CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Oct 30, 2023 Rainbow 3,750 2.5 CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Oct 27, 2023 Rainbow 3,250 2.5 CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Apr 4, 2023 Rainbow 100 1 CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Apr 4, 2023 Rainbow 3,445 2.42 CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Mar 14, 2023 Rainbow 3,555 2.37 CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Visit the Catchable Trout Plants page for a more detailed search of trout plants in other bodies of water. To view and download the source data for this table visit the WDFW Fish Plants dataset on data.wa.gov.

Fishing prospects calendar

Rainbow trout

Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide, but they can be caught year-round in most waters with a little patience and persistence. Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.
Chart showing fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Largemouth bass

Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Bluegill

Bluegill can be caught year-round, but fishing is best in the warm months of Summer. Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking during the spawn in early-Summer. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season in which to catch Bluegill, but persistent anglers can find them in schools of like-sized fish offshore.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish are ubiquitous in most lowland lakes and readily caught year-round. Fishing is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season to catch Pumpkinseed, but persistent anglers can find nice-sized schools offshore.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Channel catfish

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in June and July. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Brown bullhead

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Photos
Big Bow Lake
Photo by WDFW