Monthly Fishing Guide

VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021

Can you fish on the reservation?

Normally , yes. In 2020, no. Fishing is not currently permitted for non-members. Usually, Rufus Woods Lake and in the Colville Confederated Tribes’ ”designated fish area” can be fished with either a tribal permit. More designated areas will be added later. For updates, call the state Department of Fish and Wildlife at 509-754-4624. Non-members of the Colville Tribes must purchase a special permit for all other reservation waters. These can be purchased at certain local businesses, such as Coulee Playland Resort in Electric City.

Please note: a state license is required when fishing from the shoreline of Douglas County on Rufus Woods Lake. Also, anglers fishing the Spokane Arm (of Lake Roosevelt) must have a Spokane tribal permit when they fish from the reservation shore out to the midpoint of the Spokane Arm’s channel.

Anglers wishing to fish the Sanpoil River arm of Lake Roosevelt would do well to check with tribal authorities for permits.

January: Ice fishing attracts its own special following in the coulee. Some years, Banks Lake has safe ice for four months; other years, for only two week; and at times, no ice at all. Ice may form as early as December and run through February, or be available only for a fortnight in January.

A unique way to ice fish on this lake is at night using a gas lantern, with the prey being whitefish. The best ice fishing spot on Banks Lake is the causeway area west of Electric City—for perch.

Many anglers fish the shoreline of Lake Roosevelt for large rainbow by parking their vehicle next to the lake. (Caution: unattended poles warrant a $100 fine.) A tworod endorsement may be purchased; check the fishing regulations.

February: Walleye fishing now comes into its own, with boat fishermen launching their boats at the Elmer City ramp (below the dam; check on accessibility) and fishing either upstream to the Highway 155 bridge or downstream to Chief Joseph Dam, a distance of approximately 50 miles.

Shore fishing continues along Lake Roosevelt for large rainbow and kokanee (silvers or landlocked sockeye salmon).

March: During the month of March, the ice is about gone from Banks Lake and now the big walleye are caught.

Fishing on Lake Roosevelt, is good not only from a boat but also from the shore. Crescent Bay Lake, midway

between Grand Coulee and the dam, offers spiny ray fishing from the bank. Boats with motors are not permitted on the lake.

The fishing is also good for walleye and trout in the Columbia River below Grand Coulee Dam.

April: The month of April is a continuation of March fishing patterns, with a few additions. The lakes on the Colville Indian Reservation open to fishing. McGinnis and Buffalo Lakes provide excellent trout fishing. McGinnis Lake has only eastern brook, with some exceeding three pounds. Buffalo carries “brookies,” rainbow and kokanee.

Weekend bass tournaments are scheduled April through October on Banks Lake. Bass tournament headquarters are usually at Coulee Playland Resort (between Grand Coulee and Electric City).

The Banks Lake Triple Fish Challenge is held the fourth weekend in April.

May: Many area fishermen head for Grand Coulee Dam in May, where they fish directly upstream or downstream from the dam.

Rainbow and walleye are caught not only early in the evening, but also during the pre-dawn hours.

A major bass tournament is held on Banks Lake over the Memorial Day weekend.

June: In Banks Lake, the walleye are taking jigs and spinners, just about anything tipped with a nightcrawler.

Lake Roosevelt is dotted with boats fishing for rainbow and silvers. Some fishermen use “hardware” (Pop Geer and Ford Fenders) while others use small spoons fished from either leaded line or with a downrigger 30 to 50 feet below the surface.