Northwest Fishing Reports

I bought my first boat a few months ago. I'm real excited to take my 3 kids out fishing on the boat. I haven't fished alot of lakes in the Spokane area, but I would like to find one that is easy to take my kids out to and hopefully catch some fish pretty easy. Thanks in advance......

My two standby lakes for taking the kids to are Williams and Badger. Williams never dissapoints, and Badger is not bad either if you have a boat. At Williams, but best thing I've found is to just fish with them from the dock at Klinks. Pay $3, sit on a bench, catch fish, get them a hot chocolate form the restaraunt if they get cold, have a good time. Read any of my Williams reports to get an idea of what it's like.

As for Badger, in a boat, heading straight across the lake to the cliffs and head southwest just a bit is almost always good bet for stockers. Again, read some of my reports for that lake.

Jump Off Joe Lake if you are up on the north end near mead is an easy access and small lake. dont fish it deep or you will catch the plants and lose a lure or 2.

i was there with my dad and grandpa and pulled one out last august or so.

Kyle, it would help to let us know what time of year you are going. For example, if you want opening day, the Aaron is dead on. You will need to get to Williams very early on opening day if you want to get a spot for the kids, but it will normally get you lots of fish for the kids.

If you are talking a little later on, perhaps mid may, then taking kids to Elokia and fishing for perch can keep the action hot and fast. You may want to leave your rod at home so you have time to remove the fish from their lines. Jerry's landing can set up up in the latest locations then.

Clear and Medical Lake can be hot from a boat, but I would go with Williams or Badger first myself.

Sprague would be a great option as well. It is open year around, but right now if you don't get too far from shore in case the wind picks up, you could almost move upwind, drop baited rods over the edge about 8 or 9 feet, then drift with the wind to cover water. You can almost be assured to catch some nice trout that they won't soon forget.

I used to take my six kids to Fishtrap, the trout are dinks but they almost jump in the boat, plenty of cats too. They have a few nice grassy camp sites and some room to run, along with some dock space to fish on. I have not been there in awhile, the kids are all grown up and there are no Bass or Wallies, thats about all i fish for any more.

Do you care what species you are catching?

Lake Spokane produces catchable fish reliably all year long. Having trouble hooking up target species? Go troll for squaws for the kids. Decent size, good fighters in spring and fall, and they need to be thinned, so do away with them!

E

While Gisteppo may sound like he hates "Northern Pike Minnows", he really just enjoys feeding the Osprey and Crawfish.

He does have a point.

No better show around in the spring than eagles and osprey grabbing your bycatch within 50 feet of the boat.

E

Gisteppo wrote:No better show around in the spring than eagles and osprey grabbing your bycatch within 50 feet of the boat.

E

Hey Gisteppo, has the lake started to clear up any?

Clearer? Yes.

18,000 CFS coming down the river though, so lots and lots of current making it a challenge to find fish.

E

Gisteppo wrote:Clearer? Yes.

18,000 CFS coming down the river though, so lots and lots of current making it a challenge to find fish.

E

OK, sounds like Hangman Creek must be slowing down, but the run off from Coeur D' Alene must be kicking in. Good luck out there, I'm sure it will perk up soon.

Still, I'll bet the Squawfish are ready and willing (well kind of) to feed those osprey. LOL