Customer service staff in the Spokane Regional Office are available for walk-in service 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2315 North Discovery Place
Spokane Valley, WA 99216-1566
United States
Fishing tips and news
Winter-only trout lakes
Winter-only rainbow trout lakes opened the day after Thanksgiving and stay open through March. In WDFW's Region 1, there are several of these lakes, including Fourth of July Lake on the Lincoln/Adams county line, Hatch Lake and Williams Lake in Stevens County, and Hog Canyon Lake in Spokane County.
“The central district’s winter lakes, Hog Canyon and Fourth of July, fished pretty well for the opener,” said District Fish Biologist Randy Osborne. “Recent sampling at those lakes suggest fish are plentiful and of nice size. At Hog Canyon, anglers should expect fish ranging from 11 to 18 inches, with an average size of around 15 inches. As in years past, fish at Fourth of July are a little larger, ranging from 10 to 21 inches, with an average size of around 18 inches”.
Hatch Lake was also sampled recently and, based on the results, area fish biologists expect it to fish well this winter. District Fish Biologist Bill Baker talked with an angler that fished Williams Lake last week who reported the fishing is good and he got limits of 15-18 inch rainbow trout both days he fished the lake!
Seasonal lake closures
Many of the Region 1 lowland trout lakes, including Badger, Williams (in Spokane County), Fish and Fishtrap lakes, closed for the season earlier this fall. November was the last month to fish Medical Lake and south Spokane County’s Amber Lake. Osborne wants to remind anglers to always check either WDFW’s fishing regulations pamphlet or the Fish Washington App and understand the regulations before doing any fishing.
Also, gates may be open at certain WDFW access areas this time of year. That does not necessarily mean the lake is open for fishing.
“These gates can be open for a variety of reasons, such as clean-up or repair activities,” said Osborne. “Just because a gate is open does not necessarily mean that the lake is open to fishing. Please play it safe and read the rules!”
Year-round trout fishing
A reminder that Deer Lake in Stevens County became a year-round lake in 2024. It features both large and small
mouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and a couple varieties of trout.
Two of the lakes on the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area –Blue and Spring- were stocked with trout prior to deer season and should be fishing well. The other lakes on the Wooten closed at the end of November.
Trout fishing is generally decent year-round at Lake Roosevelt and Lake Spokane (aka Long Lake). Both also have winter walleye and smallmouth fishing. At Lake Spokane, two of the three state boat launches close for winter. The launch near the mouth of the
Little Spokane River stays open all winter, but use it with caution during low water conditions due to rocks and other hazards. You can also fish off the bank from the turnouts off Highway 291 downstream of Tum Tum or between Nine Mile Dam and the mouth of the Little Spokane River.
Lake Roosevelt safety
If you fish Lake Roosevelt, please use caution in the area where a landslide took place in late November on the west side of the river across from Colville Flats. The slide dumped several tons of sediment into the lake, causing shoreline damage and leaving trees and other debris in the water.
Mixed fish species
Fishing for yellow perch is a nice alternative to trout at area lakes like Curlew Lake in Ferry County, Silver Lake in southwest Spokane County, Eloika Lake in northern Spokane County, and Newman Lake in Eastern Spokane County.
Newman access site closures
The public water access area at Newman Lake will be closed on Dec. 2 and 4. A contractor will be using a crane to
load and unload a barge. This work is part of a Spokane County project to remove the old aeration systems from the lake and install a new updated and more efficient one. The closure is not expected to have a large impact on public use at this time of year. The docks at Newman have been removed from the lake for the season as they are each year.
Ice fishing safety
December started off fairly warm but that usually changes partway through the month and area lakes can start to freeze. A reminder that WDFW is not able to monitor ice depth and conditions so if you switch to ice fishing for the winter months, use extreme caution. Ice can be strong in some areas and weak in others. If you fall through, it can be very hard to get out of and the human body can shut down quickly from hypothermia once wet. Do not even walk onto ice if it can't be confirmed to be four or more inches thick. Other ice fishing safety tips and gear to consider include:
Photo by Jason Hord
- Use an auger or chainsaw to measure ice depth and make multiple holes to check as you work your way out to where you plan to fish.
- Never fish alone.
- Spread members of your party out to avoid too much weight on one area of ice.
- Bring a spare set of clothes just in case, and a game plan on how you will rescue someone if they do go in.
More information on ice safety and ice fishing is on WDFW’s Washington winter ice fishing web page.
Whitefish
If you are interested in river fishing, Dec. 1 is the opening of the whitefish season on part of the Little Spokane River (from the Highway 291 bridge upstream to Chain Lake). The daily catch limit is 15 fish of any size, but whitefish gear rules apply (one single-point hook, maximum size 3/16-inch point to shank- hook size 14). The whitefish season is also open on the Kettle River in Ferry/Stevens counties.
River fishing
A reminder that the Little Spokane River closed to fishing on Oct.31 but opens Dec. 1 for whitefish. Regulations differ on the Little Spokane, depending where you fish so always be sure to review the current sport fishing rules pamphlet. The Tucannon River in southeast Washington is open to catch-and-release fishing from the mouth up to the Hatchery Bridge, inside the Wooten Wildlife Area. Above the Rainbow Lake inlet to the Cow Camp Bridge is closed for the season.
Hunting opportunities and news
Late archery and muzzleloader seasons
The late archery and muzzleloader general deer season continue through Dec. 15 in several of WDFW’s Eastern
Region 1 game management units (GMUs). Dates and more information on both those seasons can be found on WDFW’s website.
CWD testing requirement
A reminder for those who harvest deer, elk, and moose in GMUs 124, 127, and 130- it is now a requirement to have your animal tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD). There are also restrictions on what parts of harvested animals can be transported out of those GMUs or into Washington from other states and Canadian provinces. For information on how to have animals sampled for CWD to what is legal to transport and how to prevent the spread of CWD, go to WDFW’s website.
Waterfowl
December can be a good month for waterfowl hunting in the region with northern migrant birds moving through, depending on the amount of precipitation and how long waterbodies remain ice free. Canada geese are usually abundant on the Pend Oreille, Colville, Kettle, Columbia, Spokane, and Snake rivers, as well as their tributary valleys, especially in the widest valley bottom areas where there is extensive farmland. For more information, go to the 2024-2025 Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons pamphlet. Hunters may also find WDFW’s Hunting Prospects reports helpful in determining the best places to hunt.
New ADA-accessible waterfowl blind
There's a new hunting spot available on private land for disabled waterfowl hunters near Clayton. WDFW teamed up
with the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council to build and place an ADA-accessible hunting blind near waterfowl habitat. This is the first ADA accesssible waterfowl blind in WDFW’s Region 1 and will help to eliminate barriers to hunters with disabilities. Physical access to a good spot to hunt and competition from able-bodied hunters often discourages people with disabilities from hunting.
Avian influenza
WDFW is again seeing an uptick in reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu or HPAI. Bird flu occurs naturally among wild aquatic birds (ducks, geese, swans, gulls and terns, and shorebirds) and can infect poultry and other bird and animal species. The virus spreads among birds through saliva, nasal secretions, feces, and contaminated surfaces. If you encounter a sick or dead bird, do NOT touch or move it and report it right away. Attempting to nurse a bird back to health or transport it to a wildlife rehabilitator can spread the virus to new areas.
Common questions and answers regarding bird flu- including what it is, the risk to humans (minimal but precautions should be taken), how to protect wildlife by preventing its’ spread, and how to protect domestic animals- can be found in this blog post.
Wild turkey
The holidays are a great time to put a wild turkey on the table! Put a wild turkey on the table. The misconception is
that wild turkeys are tough, stringy and gamey tasting but, prepared right, they can be a delicious treat. And they’re not only tasty but abundant in our area (you can harvest up to four turkeys during the fall general season in WDFW’s Region 1!). The fall wild turkey hunting season wild turkey hunting season runs through Dec. 31 in select GMUs, including 101-154 and 162-186.
Upland game
Forest grouse season runs through Jan. 15 for all three species of grouse- blue (or dusky) ruffed, and spruce- available in various parts and elevations of the region. Grouse are especially prevalent in the northeast and southeast areas of the region. More information on hunting forest grouse is available in the annual Hunting Prospects report.
Pheasant, chukar, and gray partridge seasons continue into the new year. If you’re looking for a place to hunt, check into hunting private lands through one of WDFW’s Private lands hunting program or the Hunt Planner web map. You can also read our blog Top 5 hunting tips for upland game birds (PDF).
Safety at Sherman Creek
If you hunt the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area (managed by WDFW), be cautious near the site of a recent landslide that left part of the cliff in the water. WDFW staff put up caution tape and warning signs to keep people away from the cliff’s edge and out of the affected area.
Sharing public lands
A reminder that hunting is allowed on most state public lands (excluding State Parks and designated Game
Reserves) so, while hunting, you may cross paths with people hiking, walking dogs, or taking advantage of other recreational opportunities. Please be respectful of each other to safely and responsibly share public lands and waters and appreciate that both hunters and non-hunters care deeply about wildlife and their habitat.
Wildlife watching and recreation
Winter deer range
Winter gate closures are in effect on the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area in northeast Washington. The gates on TroutLake Road and Bisbee Mountain Road are locked Dec. 1 each year to prevent vehicles from entering the area to
protect deer on winter range. You are welcome to hike in past the gates but you have to wait to drive in until March 31.
Gates were also closed on the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area along South Fork, Lick Creek, and Cougar Creek roads for protection of big game on their winter range.
Safety at Sherman Creek
Due to a recent landslide (see photo on left where the bank slid into the river) on the west side of Lake Roosevelt on the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area, which is managed by WDFW, you may need to use caution when hiking or using the area for any kind of recreation. WDFW staff have put up caution tape and warning signs to keep people away from the cliff and out of the affected area.
Bears preparing to go into dens
If you live in bear country, it’s time to put away anything that could attract bears for a little while as they work to fatten up to go into dens for the winter. Bears at this time of year have one thing on their minds- getting enough calories to make it through the winter. The easier the meal, the better. So your trash, bird feeders, rotting fruit from trees in your yard, and pet food can be extremely appealing to bears. Information on how to discourage bears from taking advantage of your unintended hospitality are on the WDFW website.
WDFW partnered with the Pend Oreille County Library District in northeast Washington for a grant to buy an apple press. This fall we asked people with tree fruit to bring it to several public events and we pressed it into apple juice for them while talking to people about being bear aware. You can watch how it’s done in this video and watch WDFW’s Events Calendar for more Bear Aware events.
Wildlife feeding ban
A reminder that there is a ban on feeding deer, elk, and moose in game management units (GMUs) 124 (PDF), 127 (PDF), and 130 (PDF) in Spokane County, in an effort to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. While we understand that people want to help wild animals, wildlife feeding is more harmful than helpful as it draws animals together where they can spread disease to each other. More information on this new rule is on WDFW’s CWD web page.
Christmas Bird Count
The annual Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is here again! The CBC has taken place every December around the world for 125 years. Both veteran and novice birdwatchers are encouraged to record their bird sightings over a 24-hour period and report them. Results are recorded in the world's longest-running bird database. For more information on the CBC, visit the Christmas Bird Count website.
Muddy situations
If you travel Washington’s backroads as part of your adventures this time of year, be aware that some roads have restrictions due to winter conditions. The freeze/thaw cycle can turn dirt roads into a muddy mess and it's easy to get you stuck. Also plan to be prepared for all kinds of weather as conditions can change quickly in Washington. Plan ahead and pack boots, warm clothes, rain gear, and a shovel just in case.
Sharing public lands
A reminder that hunting is allowed on most state public lands (excluding State Parks and designated Game Reserves) so, while hiking, wildlife watching or doing other outdoor activities, you may cross paths with hunters. Please be respectful of each other to safely and responsibly share public lands and waters and appreciate that both hunters and non-hunters care deeply about wildlife and their habitat.
Wildlife Program biweekly reports
To read reports published prior to 2023, visit the Biweekly Wildlife Program activity reports page.
2024
Meet your Regional Director - Mike Kuttel, Jr.
Mike Kuttel Jr. is the Eastern Region (Region 1) Regional Director. Kuttel has been with WDFW since 2015 in two statewide policy positions focused on fish and wildlife conservation and providing recreational opportunities on public and private lands through federal farm bill conservation programs and partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and Washington State Department of Natural Resources on shared stewardship of forests.
Previously, he worked for conservation districts, the Washington State Conservation Commission, and Washington State Department of Ecology. He has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. Kuttel is a lifelong Washington resident and has lived on both sides of the Cascades. He grew up in southwest Washington fishing and hunting. In his free time, Mike enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and foraging for mushrooms and berries with family.