Lake Thomas

Seventeen miles northeast of Colville between Heritage and Gillette Lakes in the Little Pend Oreille chain at an elevation of 3162 feet. This lake is open year-round, and is planted annually with catchable Rainbow Trout. Lake Thomas provides excellent ice fishing for Yellow Perch during the winter, with ample public access from the US Forest Service Campground on the north-east side of the lake.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Good for ice fishing

Shoreline access: Good - Shoreline access is good around Forest Service campground.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Stevens
Acreage: 162.60 ac.
Elevation: 3162 ft.
Center: 48.62384, -117.540321
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: LK THOMAS (STEV)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Apr 4, 2024	Rainbow	2,464	2.5	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 4, 2024	Rainbow	1,899	2.5	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 4, 2024	Rainbow	1,036	2.5	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 4, 2024	Rainbow	3,602	2.5	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 12, 2023	Rainbow	4,032	2.5	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 12, 2023	Rainbow	4,971	2.5	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 18, 2022	Rainbow	9,003	2.5	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 29, 2020	Rainbow	2,419	2.4	COLVILLE HATCHERY
Apr 28, 2020	Rainbow	5,001	3	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 13, 2018	Rainbow	8,629	2.5	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.

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.

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.

Black crappie

Fishing improves throughout the Spring, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull, while Fall sees an improvement as waters cool, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. During winter, the bite is slower, but anglers can have great success fishing through the ice when conditions are safe.

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.