Where can I camp?

At a private campground

Coulee Playland Resort, SR-155, 509-633-2671

Goose Creek RV Park, Wilbur, 509-647-5888

River Rue, Keller Ferry, 509-647-2647

At a state park

Steamboat Rock State Park — One of the most popular attractions along Banks Lake, this park is 5,043-acre camping park with 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline. Three campground areas and a large dayuse area are protected from winds by tall poplars, a camping, swimming, hiking and boating mecca. One of more than 100 state parks, Steamboat Rock is among Washington’s best. It has a sandy beach and sheltered swim area (no lifeguards), plus a modern bath house and a concession stand. The wide grassy picnic area contains playground equipment and a truly unique view of Banks Lake and Steamboat Rock.

For overnight camping, this state park offers 100 campsites with full hookups. Water, electricity, sewer, tables and stoves are on each site, and 26 standard sites with table, stove, and tent pad, plus 12 boat-in campsites located on the north end of Steamboat Rock. The restrooms have hot showers.

The park also offers 80 primitive sites at Jones Bay and Osborne Bay Campgrounds, with tables, stoves and vault toilets, but no running water.

Steamboat Rock State Park is part of the state’s reservation camping system. Reservations can be made year-round by going online at www.parks.wa.gov or by calling 888-226-7688. The popular campground fills up fast and early reservations are recommended. The park is open for camping year-round.

Please Note: A permit is required at all state parks for boat launching and trailer dumping.

Permits may be obtained at the park office or from the Washington State Parks Commission in Olympia, Washington.

At NPS campgrounds

There are 35 campgrounds located along the 660 miles of shoreline around Lake Roosevelt. Five of these are maintained by the Colville Confederated Tribes, two others by the Spokane Tribes and 28 by the National Park Service.

These facilities are available for camping, picnicking, boating, swimming and fishing.

NPS camping sites along the lake vary from fee campgrounds with major facilities, including picnic areas, swim beaches and interpretive programs, to primitive boat-in campgrounds.

• Spring Canyon on SR-174 is the closest NPS campground; turn left approximately three miles east of the town of Grand Coulee.

There are 87 campsites including RV (dump station but no hookups), tent and group camping sites. Fees are charged. Reservations are available by going online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.

Other major NPS campgrounds are located at Keller Ferry, Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay and Kettle Falls.

• Keller Ferry is about 14 miles from Spring Canyon by boat, or 15 miles overland from the Highway 2 cut-off near Wilbur. This area includes a marina, store, and free ferry across the lake to the Colville reservation.

• Fort Spokane, built in 1880 and used by the U.S. Army until 1898, became an Indian agency, boarding school and tuberculosis hospital until the late 1920s. It’s about 50 miles up the lake from Spring Canyon at the confluence of the Columbia and Spokane Rivers. To see Fort Spokane, take SR-174 to Highway 2 east, watch for road signs and turn north at Miles-Creston Road, just east of Creston.

The Fort Spokane campground is the second largest in the recreation area. Picnic area, historic trail, swim beach and boat launch are available.

• Kettle Falls, at the north end of the lake, is enjoyed for its beautiful setting and good boating. It has a houseboat rental operation.

Indian reservation camping when available

The Colville Tribes offers 17 camping sites on the Colville Indian Reservation that are open to nonmembers.

A map of the sites is available online at www.colvilletribes.com/parks-recreation

The basic rules of camping on the reservation, a regulation book PDF and permit files are available there.

Permits for camping, hunting, fishing, boat launching, and reservation use can be purchased online at https://colville.nagfa.net/online/.

The tribal Parks and Recreation office can be reached at 509-634-3145 weekdays, as well as the tribal Fish and Wildlife office at 509-634-2110.

Are the fish biting?

Is fishing good in the GCD area?

The three largest reservoirs in the state of Washington are within 10 miles of Grand Coulee Dam — Roosevelt, Banks and Rufus Woods all offer excellent year-round fishing. McGinnis and Buffalo Lakes on the Colville Confederated Tribes’ reservation can also be fished.

Many changes have occurred to the warm-water fisheries on Banks Lake and Lake Roosevelt. Increased smallmouth bass and walleye limits and reduced size restrictions should keep you out on the lake all day! Make sure you measure your fish and keep only what you can eat.

What kinds of fish are found locally?

There are over 14 species of game fish found in nearby Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, Rufus Woods Lake and Banks Lake. These include: largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, kokanee, perch, crappie, whitefish, ling cod, sunfish and sturgeon. The sturgeon is by far the largest, and has been known to measure over 13 feet and weigh over 1,000 pounds. For fishing information, call Coulee Playland Resort at 509-633-2671.

When can I fish Lake Roosevelt?

This major waterway is a year-round fishery in Washington state. Fishermen are reminded to adhere to state and tribal fishing regulations. Copies are available where fishing licenses are sold.

Rainbow and kokanee are the stars of the lake, with walleye and smallmouth bass in supporting roles.

In the summer months, trolling is the most popular way to fish the lake. During the cooler months, bank fishing is popular where fishermen can stand by a fire or sit in their rigs while waiting for the fish to strike. Still fishing is popular above Grand Coulee Dam during the winter and spring.

A tribal license is required on the north side of the reservation on Colville Reservation and above the Third Powerhouse.

What kind of fishery is Banks Lake?

The sprawling Banks Lake reservoir covers 30,000 acres and is regarded as one of the finest fishing lakes in the state for bass, perch and walleye. In spring, summer and fall, it provides plenty of room for fishermen, both along its shores and from boats. In winter, ice fishing is popular and, depending on the winter, can last as long as four months.

Banks Lake has a growing reputation and is becoming increasingly attractive to bass organizations hosting tournaments. For more information on these tournaments, stop by or call Coulee Playland Resort at 509-633-2671.

Tribal lakes

Rufus Woods Lake – 52-mile reservoir stretching from Grand Coulee Dam to Chief Joseph Dam in Bridgeport, is an excellent fishery too. Locally, a boat launch is located near Elmer City on Lower River Road. Heading north, turn left onto Lower River Road just past Lake Roosevelt High School on SR-155. Or ask one of the friendly folks in Elmer City. Boating is prohibited between the SR-155 bridge and Grand Coulee Dam.

VISITOR

McGinnis Lake – Take SR-155 north from Coulee Dam toward Nespelem. Approximately one mile past Elmer City (three miles from Coulee Dam) turn right on Peter Dan Road. Drive about three miles, then watch for a sign which indicates a left turn toward McGinnis and Buffalo lakes. Three or four miles after this turnoff, the road comes to a “T.” Take the right turn and the lake is a quarter mile away.

Buffalo Lake – Follow the same directions to McGinnis Lake, but turn left at the “T” instead of right. Buffalo

Continued on page 17

Lakeliesanotherthreetofourmiles beyond, on a good dirt road.

Can you fish on the reservation?

Yes,withatribalpermit,available athttps://colville.nagfa.net/online/.

From the 2022-24 fishing rules for non-members:

“All non-members fishing from the Reservation shoreline on Crawfish Lake, Lake Pateros (Wells Pool), Washburn Pond, Rufus Woods Lake (except at a designated fishing area, the Columbia River above Grand Coulee Dam, or the Okanogan River MUST have in their possession a valid Colville Indian Reservation fishing permit.

“All non-members fishing by boat on Reservation Boundary Waters MUST have in their possession either a valid Colville Indian Res-ervation fishing permit or a valid fishing license issued by the state of Washington.”

Tribal fishing regulations can be downloaded from https://www.cct-fnw.com/regulations-permits/.

Monthly Fishing Guide

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 two-rod 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.

July/August: Lake Roosevelt is usually warm enough by the end of July that the water is tolerable for swimming close to shore. During these warm months, however, fish will seek the cooler, deep waters of the lake.

Other spiny rays that offer fishing all summer long are perch and “slab” crappie in the small coves along Banks Lake.

September/October: While the fishing is still exceptional in September, hunting season arrives. With the emphasis now on hunting, sportsmen tend to taper off their fishing during October.

November/December: If the month of November has been cold, Banks Lake is beginning to freeze and ice fishing comes to mind. The small bays freeze first and offer fishing for yellow perch. By December, the lake is often ice-bound and holes are being cut in the ice.

FISHING REGULATIONS KEEP CHANGING. PLEASE REFER TO THE CURRENT STATE AND TRIBAL FISHING REGULATIONS FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Hunting in the Coulee

What’s it like?

To the outdoorsman who likes to hunt, the Grand Coulee Dam area offers unparalleled hunting pleasure. No matter if the hunter is in pursuit of fur, feathers or horns, the coulee has much to offer to the sportsman.

Beginning in September with the opening of dove season, through the middle of March when rabbit season ends, the hunter will find a variety of animals, birds and waterfowl to test his or her skills.

Weather extremes are also a factor. The dove season opener usually brings the warmest weather of the year. A goose hunter in December and January may experience sub-zero temperatures, while the March rabbit hunter will encounter weather comparable to late October and early November.

The mourning doves arrive in July and by the first of September, the normal opening day, this migratory buzz-bomb is ready to test the mettle of the best wing shooter. They always fly fast. Then add a tail wind and they will appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. These birds can be found in stubble fields on both sides of the coulee walls and can also be found in sagebrush and scabland surrounding some stubble fields.

With the end of dove season, usually around the middle of September, the hunter waits for the opening of the general hunting season in which upland birds, deer and waterfowl open on one glorious October Saturday.

Mule deer can be found in sagebrush-covered flatland and draws surrounding the coulee, as can a few whitetail close to timber. Special archery-hunting seasons can also be found in the area.

Opening day also sees the upland bird hunter, with his flushing and pointing dogs, hunting the brushy draws for quail, the rugged hills for chukkar, and the stubble fields for Hungarian partridge or more commonly known as “huns.”

At the same time, the waterfowl hunter, with his retriever, is scouring the small potholes and lakes for ducks and the stubble fields for geese.

As any bird and waterfowl sportsman knows, the birds soon become wary. Quail, chukkar, “hun” and the

Continued on page 19 occasional Chinese pheasant flush as the 4x4 stops and it is only the skillful hunter who can put birds in the game bag during this period.

The ducks cannot be found, as they spend most of their days out of harm’s way on the waters of the big reservoirs.

The goose hunter spends his days, when he is not hunting, driving the miles of back roads in the coulee looking for feeding geese. Once the birds are spotted and found to be using a particular field, the hunters dig their pit long before daylight the following morning. (They have, of course, been careful to obtain permission from the landowner first.)

Once the pit is dug, they wait in hopes that the geese will return to the same field as they did the morning before.

By the middle of November, deer season is usually over, except for a few special hunts, and the only quarry to be bagged are the upland birds and waterfowl.

By the end of December, the dedicated goose hunter becomes a solitary figure in the fields, as most seasons usually end the first of January.

When goose season ends in the middle of January, a few hunters will begin hunting the cottontail rabbit until the end of February.

Then there is always fishing if a hunter gets tired and wants a change of pace during the day.

Coulee country encompasses many acres of state and federal land that offer free hunting. Write to the Department of Natural Resources, in Olympia, for information and maps of the area. Or visit one of the local businesses advertising hunting licenses.

A scene you may never see if you’re only here in the summer: A normally underwater basalt haystack rock rests on newly exposed beach on Lake Roosevelt in early spring, when lake levels are often lowered to make room for spring runoff from area mountains, including from Canada. The Columbia drains an area the size of France.