About eight and a half miles northeast of Cusick, in Kaniksu National Forest, Browns Lake is open from the fourth Saturday in April through October 31. Fly-fishing only, all motors are prohibited. Browns Lake receives annual plants of Westslope Cutthroat Trout fry, and offers Cutthroat from 8 - 16+ inches. Rainbow Trout, formerly stocked in the lake and now naturally reproducing in Browns Creek, are still occasionally encountered (as are Rainbow Trout x Cutthroat Trout hybrids).
NOTE: Browns Creek, which previously was on the same open season as the lake, is now on a standard stream season (the first Saturday in June through October 31), and is also fly-fishing only. Check the current regulations pamphlet for catch and size limits.
To find this high-elevation lake (3,450 feet), cross the Pend Oreille River at Usk, head north for five miles on LeClerc Creek Road, then northeast on Browns Creek Road, FR-1921 and FR-128 to the south shore of the lake. There you'll find a USFS campground and boat launch.
See Washington State Parks website for ADA accessibility information.
Two-pole fishing is allowed
Special fishing restrictions:
- Fly fishing only for this lake
Shoreline access: Good - Shoreline access is good around Forest Service campground.
Species you might catch
Lake information
County: Pend Oreille
Acreage: 87.30 ac.
Elevation: 3415 ft.
Center: 48.438173, -117.192565
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Fishing prospects calendar
Rainbow trout
