Waitts Lake

2023 Trout Derby lake

Starting soon! For more information about how the trout derby works, important dates, and prizes, visit the 2023 Trout Derby page.

Four miles west of Valley along Highway US-395, Waitts Lake is open year-round. Planted with Rainbow Trout catchables, net-pen reared Rainbow and Brown trout, along with Brown Trout fingerlings, plus some brood fish. The increase of Rainbow and Brown Trout plants from the net-pen project has created good carryover potential. Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and numerous Pumpkinseed Sunfish are available as well.

Waitts Lake has a newly improved access area which makes accessing the lake much more convenient.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Good for ice fishing

Shoreline access: Good - Shoreline access is limited to area around boat launch. Private resorts offer some dock fishing.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Stevens
Acreage: 469.70 ac.
Elevation: 1950 ft.
Center: 48.183924, -117.789683
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: WAITTS LK (STEV)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Oct 27, 2022	Brown Trout	402	0.5	FORD HATCHERY
Oct 13, 2022	Brown Trout	298	0.5	FORD HATCHERY
Apr 6, 2022	Rainbow	250	0.33	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Oct 28, 2021	Brown Trout	700	0.5	FORD HATCHERY
Apr 2, 2021	Rainbow	116	0.33	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Mar 27, 2020	Rainbow	250	0.33	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Nov 14, 2019	Brown Trout	700	0.5	FORD HATCHERY
Nov 14, 2019	Brown Trout	700	0.5	FORD HATCHERY
Apr 4, 2019	Rainbow	200	0.33	SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 20, 2018	Rainbow	30	0.25	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.

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.

Brown bullhead

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.