Discover Eastern Washington

Many Columbia Basin lakes open March 1

Despite the weather being cold and icy well into March in Eastern Washington many years, a handful of lakes in the Columbia Basin open for fishing March 1. Visit our webpage or check the Fish Washington mobile app for detailed regulations.

As the month progresses, the ice will melt and WDFW hatchery staff will spend the month stocking area lakes with rainbow trout. You can find which lakes have been stocked by checking the WDFW Catchable trout plant reports web page. 

If you’re looking to move on from ice fishing and start open water fishing, Downs Lake in southwest Spokane County is usually the first to melt as it is just 12 feet deep. In addition to rainbows, Downs has good largemouth bass fishing in early spring. 

Eastern Spokane County’s Liberty Lake stays iced over sometimes well into the month but is known for great brown trout fishing once it opens up. Deer Lake, southeast of Chewelah, is best for brook and rainbow trout in earlier March, then lake trout later in the month when things start to warm up a little. 

Towards the end of March, Amber Lake in southwest Spokane County is consistently good for rainbow and cutthroat trout. Amber is under selective gear rules and there is a one trout over 18 inches daily limit from Mar. 1 through Nov. 30. Also, boat motors are prohibited at Amber. 
 
At the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area in southeast Washington’s Columbia County the weather is unpredictable so call the office before heading out to fish in March. The lakes that are fed by the Tucannon River in the area, Blue, Spring, and Rainbow lakes, were stocked in the fall. They will also be stocked again this spring, along with Deer and Watson lakes, so should offer some good early spring fishing.  

If you want to fish the river, like many area rivers, a reminder that the Tucannon typically runs very high and fast in the spring, so be very careful when doing any activity on or around it.. 

Year-round fishing options 

The spring drawdown of Lake Roosevelt, the reservoir of the Columbia River, by the Bureau of Reclamation usually starts in March, depending on conditions. Before heading out to launch your boat, call 509-754-7800 to make sure boat launches are still accessible. 

Fishing from the banks of Lake Spokane (Long Lake) is usually productive for rainbow trout in the spring. Once water levels rise enough to use the main boat ramps, boat anglers should find good fishing for yellow perch, walleye, crappie, and both largemouth and smallmouth bass as well. 

Winter-only fishing lakes closing 

If you fish WDFW’s winter-only lakes, March is your last chance to do so. Williams Lake in Stevens County, Fourth of July Lake in Lincoln County, and Spokane County’s Hog Canyon Lake all close at the end of March.  

April 26 lowland lakes fishing opener 

While a handful of Columbia Basin area lakes open March 1, several hundred lowland lakes statewide open for fishing on April 26. Most waters around the region will be stocked with rainbow trout by then. 

If you need help deciding where to fish that weekend, Badger and Clear lakes in Spokane County typically fish well early in the season.  

In northeast Washington, Waitts, Cedar, Rocky, and Starvation lakes in Stevens County and Diamond and Sacheen lakes in Pend Oreille County are traditionally good opening day fishing lakes.  

Annual Trout Derby 

April 26 is also the start of WDFW’s annual Trout Derby, with thousands of dollars in prizes available to anyone with a valid

 2025 fishing license who pulls in a tagged fish. No entrance fee or registration is required. Just catch a tagged trout anytime between April 27 and Oct. 31 and win!  

Renew your fishing license 

The end of March also marks the date to renew your fishing license. Washington state fishing licenses expire March 31 annually. You can buy your license in person at the WDFW regional office in Spokane Valley, online, by phone at 1-866-246-9453, or at any of several hundred license dealers around the state.  

Big Horn Show 

As every year, WDFW will be at the annual Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show, Mar. 20-23 at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center so come by and talk with our fish biologists about all things fishing. Be aware that we will be at a new location this year, in Bay 3 near Trophy Territory.   

Clear Lake Kid’s Fishing Event 

The annual Clear Lake Kid’s Fishing Event near Spokane is May 10, 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. While that’s still a ways out in the future, it’s a good idea to get your kids signed up early. For the $10 registration prices, each child gets a t-shirt, fishing rod and assorted fishing gear, and up to three fish to take home for dinner (or donate to an area food bank). 

Dayton kid’s fishing day 

The City of Dayton and WDFW are excited to partner on the third annual Dayton Kid’s Fishing Day! The date for this event is still being set so check back soon. Each year it takes place at the Dayton Fishing Pond, 714 S. 2^nd Street. There is no registration required- just show up!- and a fishing pole will be provided for each child. Volunteers will be on-hand to help with all aspects of fishing but parents need to attend with their children. 

Spring wild turkey 

The spring wild turkey season is the pinnacle of annual hunting for many area hunters. It opens Apr. 15 and runs through May 31. If you have kids who want to hunt, the annual youth-only hunt for ages 15 and younger is Apr. 1-7. More information on turkey season is in the 2025 Spring Season Wild Turkey Hunting Regulation Pamphlet. A mentored turkey hunt aimed at getting people started hunting wild turkeys will take place May 2-4. Registration opens Mar. 23.  

The northeast area of WDFW’s Region 1 brings many people from not just all over the state but all over the country for its’ renowned turkey hunting. It not only has a lot of turkeys, but big ones. WDFW’s LeClerc and Rustlers Gulch Unit wildlife areas are great hunting spots, or there are lots of good turkey hunting areas on public lands in the area. 
 
If you like wild turkey (when cooked right it is delicious!) you’re in luck- in Spokane County you can harvest up to three birds during the spring season. It’s a little more difficult than other areas though because a lot of turkey hunting in Spokane County takes place on private property. If you would like to hunt private lands this year, pre-season scouting and knocking on doors to ask permission is highly encouraged. If you don’t have a private land connection or area in mind, you can find areas where property owners have agreed to let hunters hunt their lands on WDFW’s Hunting access on private lands web page.  
 
In southeast Washington, WDFW’s Asotin Creek, Chief Joseph, and W.T. Wooten wildlife areas have good turkey hunting each year. 

Multiple-season tag 

If you hunt deer and/or elk, Mar. 31 is the deadline to enter the drawing for a 2025 multiple-season tag, which can greatly increase your opportunity for success in the field. The annual random drawing is in April. Those whose names are drawn can purchase a special tag allowing them to participate in archery, muzzleloader, and modern firearm general hunting seasons for deer or elk in 2025. Winners who purchase the multiple season elk tag can participate in general elk hunting seasons in both eastern and western Washington and can choose any weapon type when applying for a special hunt permit. 

The application costs $7.10 for residents and $110.50 for nonresidents. A hunting license is not required to apply, but winners of the drawing must purchase one before they can purchase a multiple season tag. 

Cougar Hunting 

A reminder that cougar season is open through Mar. 31. However, cougar hunters must check WDFW’s cougar hotline to verify the GMU they plan to hunt is still open (based on quota numbers). That number is 1-866-364-4868 (press 2 after greeting) or visit WDFW's Cougar hunting area openings and closures prior to hunting to check if Cougar Hunt Areas are open or closed. 

Proposed hunting season rule changes 

WDFW is accepting public comments on proposed hunting season rule changes as part of the Department’s annual hunting season setting process, including comment on proposed rules meant to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), including a proposal to implement a statewide deer, elk, and moose feeding ban in Washington. 

WDFW is proposing updated rules and regulations for 2025 black bear, cougar, deer, elk, and waterfowl general hunting seasons and 2025 deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat special permit opportunities. The Department is also proposing new deer and elk multi-season tags for members of federally recognized tribes that have entered into an agreement with WDFW, and clarifying the rule language around certain special closures, firearm restriction areas, and deer areas. 
 
More info on the proposals and how to provide your input on them, is on WDFW’s website. 

Big Horn Show 

As every year, WDFW will be at the annual Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show, Mar. 20-23 at the Spokane Fair and Expo

 Center so come by and talk with our wildlife biologists about all things hunting. Be aware that we will be at a new location this year, in Bay 3 near Trophy Territory.   

Proposed wildlife feeding ban 

WDFW is accepting public comments on a proposed statewide ban on feeding deer, elk, and moose that is designed to

 limit the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD). The proposal also includes a ban on baiting deer, elk, and moose while hunting, for the same reason. CWD spreads through bodily fluids and areas where these animals congregate are hotspots for transmission. A full description of the proposal and how to provide your input is available on WDFW’s rule making web page.  
 

World Wildlife Day 

March 3 is World Wildlife Day!  This makes March a great month to learn more about Washington’s wildlife. From slugs to whales, Washington’s ecosystem-rich lands support a variety of animals including 28 reptiles, 132 mammals, 25 amphibians, 37 freshwater fish, 900 saltwater fish, over 500 birds, and over 20,000 species of invertebrates (from mussels to bees)!  

Bears 

As March progresses and the weather warms, we will start to see hungry bears coming out of their dens, so now is the time to prepare if you live in bear country. Put away items- like bird feeders- that could attract bears, for the time being. Build a bear-proof garbage shed and construct electric fences around compost piles, chicken coops, and beehives before bears wake up hungry. More information is available on the WDFW Living with Bears webpage.  

Leave wild babies wild 

As March turns into April, we will start seeing a lot of baby wild animals. A reminder that if you run into fawns, baby birds, or other young animals, please leave them be, even if they appear to be orphaned or abandoned. Most animals have a parent foraging or hunting nearby. Read our blog to learn about when not to rescue wildlife. This is more important than ever as ungulates such as fawns can no longer be taken to rehabilitators when removed from their mothers in WDFW’s Region 1. This is to prevent the risk of spreading chronic wasting disease. More information is on WDFW’s website. 

Winter closures end 

Areas of the Wooten, Sherman Creek, and Asotin Creek Wildlife Areas that were closed to human entry over the winter open April 1 so get outside and enjoy! 

Big Horn Show 

As every year, WDFW will be at the annual Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show, Mar. 20-23 at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center so come by and talk with our staff about any fish, wildlife, or habitat questions you may have. Be aware that we will be at a new location this year, in Bay 3 near Trophy Territory.