Located upstream of Rocky Reach Dam to Wells Dam, this Columbia River reservoir contains a variety of fish species, but is noted for Steelhead, Chinook salmon, and Sockeye salmon fisheries. Seasons for these species are based on the abundance of fish runs and can be located either in the WDFW fishing pamphlet or by searching the WDFW website for fishery rule changes. Largemouth bass, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye are also available.
Two-pole fishing is allowed
Shoreline access: Good - There are many public access areas along this stretch of the Columbia River.
Species you might catch
- Bridgelip sucker
- Bull trout
- Chinook salmon
- Chiselmouth
- Coho salmon
- Common carp
- Largemouth bass
- Northern pikeminnow
- Peamouth
- Pumpkinseed Sunfish
- Rainbow trout
- Redside shiner
- Signal crayfish
- Smallmouth bass
- Sockeye salmon
- Steelhead
- Tench
- Three-spine stickleback
- Walleye
- Westslope cutthroat trout
Lake information
County: Douglas
Acreage: 8828.60 ac.
Elevation: 711 ft.
Center: 47.759147, -120.189345
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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.
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.
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.
Walleye
Fishing peaks before and after the spawn, with the spawning period (April) being more difficult. Summer fishing is excellent, with a lull during the heat of the summer, while Fall sees an improvement as waters cool, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is tougher, but still fair, since Walleye are readily caught during the winter months in deeper water.
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.
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.