Cooks Lake

Only about three miles northwest of Bead Lake, in Kaniksu National Forest at 3,075 feet elevation. Cooks Lake is open year-round and is stocked annually with Put-Grow-&-Take Rainbow Trout, plus a few Rainbow Trout broodstock.

To get there, find Forest Road 5015 off of Boswell Road. A USFS campground is located at this lake.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Shoreline access is good around much of the lake.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Pend Oreille
Acreage: 7.20 ac.
Elevation: 3074 ft.
Center: 48.34329, -117.172458
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Catchable fish plants

Release Location: COOKS LK (PEND)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Apr 15, 2016 Rainbow 500 3 FORD HATCHERY
Mar 31, 2016 Rainbow 400 0.65 COLVILLE HATCHERY
Mar 27, 2015 Rainbow 300 0.3 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Mar 23, 2015 Rainbow 500 0.74 COLVILLE HATCHERY
Apr 25, 2014 Rainbow 662 2.5 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 25, 2014 Rainbow 190 0.3 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 25, 2013 Rainbow 350 0.25 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 25, 2012 Rainbow 300 0.35 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Jun 22, 2011 Rainbow 500 2.8 SPOKANE HATCHERY
May 20, 2011 Rainbow 385 0.3 SPOKANE HATCHERY

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