Deer Lake (Columbia County)

This small bank fishing only lake off the Tucannon River is located within the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wooten Wildlife Area.  Access to Deer Lake is gained by driving south of Rainbow Lake and hiking along an administrative road about 0.3 miles south of a locked gate. The lake is stocked with 10-12 inch rainbow trout, plus some jumbo (14 inch plus and 1.5 lb) rainbows. 

This lake is also located close to campgrounds on the Wooten Wildlife Area, U.S. Forest Service campgrounds and the KOA Campground at the Last Resort.  Camp Wooten State Park, National Forest lands, and the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness are nearby.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - a short hike gets you to good shoreline access around most of the lake

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Columbia
Acreage: 2.10 ac.
Elevation: 2270 ft.
Center: 46.305305, -117.652497
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Catchable fish plants

Release Location: DEER LK (COLU)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Mar 28, 2023 Rainbow 1,008 2.4 LYONS FERRY HATCHERY
Mar 22, 2023 Rainbow 50 0.7 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Mar 14, 2023 Rainbow 25 0.81 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Feb 21, 2023 Rainbow 1,040 2.6 LYONS FERRY HATCHERY
Feb 21, 2023 Rainbow 25 0.7 LYONS FERRY HATCHERY
May 19, 2022 Rainbow 500 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Apr 4, 2022 Rainbow 25 0.67 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Apr 4, 2022 Rainbow 510 3 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Mar 25, 2022 Rainbow 1,035 2.3 LYONS FERRY HATCHERY
Mar 25, 2022 Rainbow 25 0.67 LYONS FERRY 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