Curlew Lake

2024 Trout Derby lake

Starting soon! For more information about how the trout derby works, important dates, and prizes, visit the 2024 Trout Derby page.

Located four miles northeast of Republic, along Highway SR-21, this body of water has a year-round open season. Spring and early summer fishing for planted fall fingerling and net-pen reared Rainbow Trout should be good. Largemouth Bass are caught in summer and fall. Tiger Muskies are planted annually to help control the Northern Pikeminnow population and provide additional angling opportunity. Yellow Perch were illegally introduced around 2011, and have since become very abundant.  There are no size restrictions or daily limit for Yellow Perch, and anglers are encouraged to harvest them.  Camping, picnicking, and public boat access are all available at Curlew Lake State Park and private resorts.  The Curlew Lake State Park and at least one private resort also provide access for ice fishing during the winter.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Good for ice fishing

Shoreline access: Good - There is a public fishing dock and fair shoreline access at Curlew Lake State Park.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Ferry
Acreage: 861.40 ac.
Elevation: 2354 ft.
Center: 48.733529, -118.665976
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: CURLEW LK (FERR)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
May 29, 2013 Tiger Muskie 422 1.8 MESEBERG HATCHERY
May 28, 2012 Tiger Muskie 310 2 MESEBERG HATCHERY
May 1, 2012 Rainbow 0 0 CURLEW SD 050
May 25, 2011 Tiger Muskie 400 2 MESEBERG HATCHERY
Jun 1, 2010 Tiger Muskie 431 2.2 MESEBERG HATCHERY
Jun 1, 2010 Tiger Muskie 431 2.8 MESEBERG HATCHERY
May 26, 2009 Tiger Muskie 450 1.9 MESEBERG HATCHERY
Jun 5, 2007 Tiger Muskie 150 2.1 RINGOLD SPRINGS HATCHERY
Jun 13, 2006 Tiger Muskie 400 2.22 RINGOLD SPRINGS HATCHERY
May 18, 2005 Tiger Muskie 600 2.6 RINGOLD SPRINGS 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

Kokanee

The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries.
Chart of 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

Smallmouth 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

Yellow perch

Yellow Perch can be caught year-round. Fishing is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. Catch begins to decline in the fall as water temperatures cool and fish move offshore forcing anglers to pursue them in boats. Successful fishing for Yellow Perch in the winter involves either targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Northern pikeminnow

Fishing success for Northern Pikeminnow increases in May and June as water temperatures increase, and generally peaks in late June, although fishing conditions can vary throughout the Columbia River. After a lull during the heat of summer, fishing success peaks again in late September-early October. Northern Pikeminnow congregate in rocky areas with fast currents near dams, islands, stream mouths, points, eddies, rows of pilings, and ledges or bars in the river. Sunrise, sunset, and night are generally the best fishing times. Studies show there are greater concentrations of Northern Pikeminnow in shallow water during low-light conditions.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Photos
Curlew Lake
Photo by WDFW