Beaver Lake: The lake, which is open all year, has been planted with cutthroat trout.
     To reach Beaver Lake, which is a couple miles north of the Loup Loup Ski Bowl southwest of Okanogan, turn off Highway 20 and go north past the ski hill to a trailhead. The lake, which is fun to fish from a float tube, is an easy hike of a couple miles.
     Bull trout, which are illegal to catch, reside in nearby Blue Buck Creek.
     Blue Lake: Located in the Limebelt north of Omak, Blue Lake is open all year.
     This 14-acre lake has been planted over the years with eastern brook and tiger trout.
     Recent illegal introductions of bass have compromised this fishery to the point where a fall 2007 lake rehabilitation will be proposed, reported Jateff.
     High water can create a smaller lake to the north that may hold fish early in the season.
     Located 6.5 miles northwest of Riverside, the lake is four miles off the Conconully Highway (watch for the public fishing sign) over a dirt road. Spring rains can make the road impassable.
     Although there is no boat ramp, anglers can carry canoes or small rowboats to the lake at the south end.
     Columbia River: The Columbia, open all year, provides many opportunities except for steelhead (all trout). Steelhead are listed as an endangered species and cannot be caught or possessed except under an emergency opener.
     During the last few years there have been emergency openers for short seasons that allowed the taking of summer Chinook salmon during the summer between Priest Rapids Dam and Wells Dam, and also from the Highway 173 bridge at Brewster upstream to Chief Joseph Dam.
     Summer Chinook tend to be bigger than spring Chinook.
     Walleye fishing is predominant from January to June.
     Anglers should check their fishing pamphlet for daily catch limits, which are different for Lake Roosevelt than the rest of the river.
     The current walleye daily catch limit is five fish per day, with not more than one longer than 22 inches and a minimum size of 16 inches on Rufus Woods.
     Different walleye limits exist for Lake Roosevelt behind Grand Coulee Dam, with most of its length outside Okanogan County. The walleye daily catch limit is eight fish with no more than one longer than 22 inches. There is no minimum size.
     Walleye fishing has become popular on the stretch of river bordering Douglas County. Walleye can be caught below Chief Joseph Dam, as well as most of Rufus Woods Lake. This area also holds good numbers of both smallmouth and largemouth bass.
     There are good boat launching facilities at Brewster, Pateros and Bridgeport.
     It is lawful to fish to the base of the Washburn Island Pond outlet structure near Brewster.
     Conconully Lake: Both the upper and lower waters, open April 28 to Oct. 31, remain popular to fish because of resorts and a state campground in town.
     Both the lake and reservoir should have higher water levels than last year, said Jateff.
     The lakes each receive 5,000 catchable rainbows as well as sizeable fingerling plants, said Jateff.
     Trout in Conconully Lake, sometimes referred to as Salmon Lake, will average 10 to 12 inches on the opener. There will be a few carryovers up to 16 inches.
     Conconully Chamber of Commerce has recently purchased triploid rainbows that will be stocked prior to the opener at the three-mile-long lake. The fish, which can reach up to two pounds, will be available for a fish derby the chamber does each spring.
     There is a state-owned graveled boat launch with toilets, and a wheelchair-accessible dock. A fee is required to use the launch for those using trailers.
     A resort lies near the launch.
     The 313-acre lake is located east of Conconully and 15 miles northwest of Okanogan.
     Bass, some up to five pounds, also are in the lake. There is a five-fish limit on bass.
     Conconully Reservoir: Anglers can expect rainbow trout averaging 10 to 12 inches with a few carryovers up to 16 inches.
     Triploid rainbow trout averaging one to two pounds will be planted by the Conconully Chamber of Commerce this spring to provide additional angling opportunity.
     A few kokanee may remain in the lake, though the state no longer plants the fish.
     The 450-acre lake, located south of Conconully, is open April 28 to Oct. 31.
     The reservoir features several resorts and an excellent state park.
     Conner Lake: Located near Forde Lake, this 58-acre lake in the Sinlahekin holds lots of water for eastern brook, some of which propagate naturally in Sinlahekin Creek, with the possibility of catching a tiger trout.
     Travel south from Loomis five miles on Sinlahekin Road. There is no boat ramp because of weeds and brush, but access is possible for those with canoes, rafts and float tubes.
     The lake is open April 28 to Oct. 31.
     Fish Lake: Fishing is expected to be good at this very popular lake located four miles northeast of Conconully.
     Fish are expected in the 11- to 12-inch range with carryovers to 15 inches.
     The season at the 102-acre lake runs April 28 to Oct. 31.
     Anglers can reach the lake by traveling either 4.5 miles northeast on a dirt road from Conconully past the upper lake and Sugarloaf Lake or going north on Highway 97 for 5.5 miles from Riverside, then west on Pine Creek Road for about nine miles.
     Two public access areas with launches and toilets are available.
     Forde Lake: The 24-acre lake in the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area is being planted only with tiger trout, a sterile trout that's a hybrid brook and brown trout.
     Brook trout, which are self-reproducing in the lake, range from 12 to 14 inches.
     Tiger trout also were planted in Reflection Pond, which is located adjacent to Forde Lake.
     The lake, built as an impoundment pond in 1949, is open April 28 to Oct. 31. There is a small, public boat-launching area next to the road.
     The lake is located 6.1 miles south of Loomis on Sinlahekin Road.
     Green Lake: Both Green (45 acres) and lower Green (9 acres) are located about five miles northwest of Okanogan and Omak.
     Both are open to catch-and-release, selective gear rules fishing only from April 1 through Nov. 30. Electric motors can be used on Green Lake (the larger) during the selective gear rules portion of the season.
     From Dec. 1 through March 31 the lakes switch to a "catch-and-keep" special winter season, without selective gear rules.
     Fishing is expected to be good in 2007 for rainbows in the 10- to 12-inch range.
     Green Lake has a boat launch and toilets.
     Little Green Lake should provide good fishing for 11- to 12-inch yearling rainbow trout, as well as carryovers to 15 inches.
     Both lakes are nestled in a steep valley where it gets dark an hour before normal.
     The larger lake is disabled accessible, though access is steep. The lower lake has a dirt path for accessibility.
     The lakes can be reached by following Salmon Creek Road northwest out of Okanogan for 4.5 miles, then a mile north on Green Lake Road. Anglers also can access the lake by taking Green Lake Road off the Conconully Highway about five miles northwest of Omak.
     There are several areas that can be used to launch boats at either lake.
     Jasmine Creek: This is a juvenile-only water located in the south end of Omak. The creek runs from the Omak Fish Hatchery into the Okanogan River.
     Anglers must be under age 15 to fish the creek, which holds a few rainbows.
     The creek is open year round.
     Leader Lake: Located seven miles west of Okanogan off Highway 20, this popular, 159-acre lake should provide good fishing for rainbow trout averaging 12 inches on the opener.
     Carryovers can reach 16 inches at the lake, which has a season of April 28 to Sept. 30.
     Recently the lake has been attracting spiny ray anglers in the summer after trout fishing subsides since bass (in the two- to three-pound range), crappie and bluegill also reside in the lake.
     The lake offers several areas where boats can be carried to the lake, as well as a concrete boat launch site. Toilets and campsites are available.
     Okanogan River: Due to steelhead Endangered Species Act listing, fisheries have been modified substantially for all fish species on the river, which flows south from Osoyoos Lake near Oroville to the Columbia River near Brewster.
     The trout fishery, including steelhead, is closed, unless open through emergency regulations in the fall. That's occurred the last four years. The 2006-07 season ended March 31.
     A steelhead fishery is dependent upon run size that exceeds natural and hatchery broodstock requirements.
     The river, which is considered a warm water fishery, is open year round from the mouth to the Malott bridge for all species except steelhead and trout. From the bridge north the season will be June 1 to Aug. 31. Bait will be allowed.
     Smallmouth bass are the best bet, and best found near rocks. Fish average 10 to 12 inches, with some exceeding three pounds. Walleye action has grown over the past few years, mainly from the mouth upstream to the bridge at Malott.
     Public boat launches are available in Okanogan and Riverside.
     There is an excellent boat launch in Brewster, on the Columbia, and a rough launch is available at the west end of the Monse bridge. Most shorelines are privately owned, so float trips offer the best fishing opportunity.
     Osoyoos Lake: Open year round, the lake is located a mile north of Oroville and spans the U.S.-Canadian border. Of the lake's 5,723 acres, 2,036 lie in the United States.
     Anglers can expect smallmouth bass, rainbow, kokanee, perch and a few largemouth bass.
     A few naturally occurring populations of rainbow trout up to 14 inches and larger reside in the lake, as do kokanee in the 10- to 14-inch range.
     The lake also offers good smallmouth bass fishing spring through fall, plus yellow perch that can be caught through the ice if winter conditions get cold enough.
     State park facilities include a boat launch near the outlet to the Okanogan River. There also is a city park with boat launch at Boundary Point about four miles north of town.
     Palmer Lake: Some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the state exists at this 2,063-acre lake located about four miles north of Loomis and open all year. Some fish reach up to six pounds.
     There is a daily catch limit of five bass, which must be less than 12 inches and greater than 17 inches long, and with only one fish being more than 17 inches. The size restriction protects spawners and increases the average size of the bass.
     The lake also produces naturally spawning rainbow, kokanee (success is up, with fish 11 to 13 inches), largemouth bass, yellow perch (on the small side), crappie and a few burbot (freshwater ling, primarily a winter fishery).
     Setlines with up to five hooks are no longer legal. Burbot anglers now must comply with the statewide rule of one line with up to three hooks (unless other, more restrictive rules are in effect for a particular water).
     Pikeminnow, which is a state game fish, also live in Palmer. The lake sports one of the most diverse fishing experiences in a state-managed lake.
     Campgrounds and toilets are available at each end of the lake, with a Bureau of Land Management concrete boat launch at the south end access area and graveled state Department of Natural Resources launch site at the north area.
     There is one resort on the lake, with small boat rentals available.
     Rat Lake: This 63-acre lake located five miles north of Brewster is open to catch-and-release, selective gear rules fishing only from April 1 through Nov. 30.
     Electric motors can be used during the selective gear rules season.
     The lake then switches to a "catch-and-keep" special winter season from Dec. 1 through March 31 without selective gear rules.
     Fishing should be good for 10- to 12-inch rainbow and brown trout.
     Rat and nearby Mouse Lake were rehabbed last year.
     The state plans to plant brown trout every three years, said Jateff.
     Nearby Mouse Lake, which is open year round, is planted with triploid eastern brook and tiger trout. Standard gear and bag limits apply.
     Drive 3.5 miles north from Brewster up Swamp Creek, and then take a dirt road two miles north up Whitestone Creek.
     There is a boat launch, but access may be a problem in winter, as the road is not plowed.
     Reflection Pond: The five-acre water is located on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area six miles south of Loomis near Forde Lake.
     Open April 28 through Oct. 31, the lakes includes triploid brook trout and tiger trout.
     This is a very small, scenic lake that lends itself well to float tubes and very small boats, said Jateff.
     Rock Lake: Actually two lakes, the upper covers 3.5 acres and the lower 4.5 acres. Fishing for eastern brook trout is erratic because of winterkill in the upper lake. The lower lake is more consistent.
     The lake receives a plant of brookies in June, and more recently cutthroat in the fall.
     The lakes are located 11 miles northwest of Okanogan. Drive west on Highway 20, then north on Rock Lake Road.
     There is a campground facility but no boat launch. It's a very steep walk down to the lake, which is open April 28 to Oct. 31.
     Rufus Woods Lake: The 51-mile-long lake, which is actually a river reservoir, lies behind Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River just upstream from Bridgeport.
     The water is open year round.
     Walleye (best caught near Elmer City), kokanee, a few smallmouth bass and triploid rainbow trout are available during a year-round season in this lake, which forms a boundary line between Douglas County and the Colville Indian Reservation in Okanogan County.
     Sturgeon fishing no longer is legal.
     Limit is two trout and two kokanee. Chumming is permitted.
     Only bass less than 12 inches or greater than 17 inches may be retained. Daily limit is five fish, of which no more than one over 17 inches may be retained.
     Steelhead are unable to reach the lake because there is no fish ladder at Chief Joseph.
     The Colville Confederated Tribes plants triploid rainbows in the reservoir. The state will plant fingerling triploid rainbows starting in spring 2007.
     Rainbows also enter the reservoir through Grand Coulee Dam from net pens in Lake Roosevelt. Anglers - and trout - also benefit from a net pen operation downriver from the mouth of Nespelem Creek.
     The state record continues to be upped with fish from the reservoir. Norm Butler, Okanogan, holds the current record with a 29.6-pound rainbow caught in November 2002. The fish broke the previous record, set the same year, by nearly four pounds.
     Since then several anglers have caught near-record fish. In early 2004 Kyle Cantlon, Omak, caught a 27.07-pound rainbow. In April 2005, Zach Austin, Winthrop, caught a 23-pounder.
     Marked, designated launching areas include Seaton's Grove Corps of Engineers site a couple miles downstream from Elmer City, Bridgeport State Park near the lower end, south of Coyote Creek, and an unimproved ramp next to Columbia River Road.
     On the Douglas County side there's a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-maintained launch near Chief Joseph Dam.
     Anglers can travel 22 miles south from Okanogan on Highway 97, then east for eight miles on Highway 17 to a boat launch near the dam.
     Anglers must possess a state license if fishing from a boat, including portions of the river adjacent to the Colville Indian Reservation.
     Reservation and state licenses are required when fishing from the reservation shoreline of boundary waters, which include Crawfish Lake, Lake Rufus Woods (Chief Joseph Dam pool), Lake Pateros (Wells Dam pool), Washburn Island Pond, Okanogan River and Lake Roosevelt (Grand Coulee Dam pool).
     Those fishing in a boat in boundary waters adjacent to the reservation need only a state license. A tribal license is not required as long as the angler fishes from a boat.
     Salmon Creek: Both the north fork and west fork, which flow into Conconully Reservoir, have a season of June 1 to Oct. 31.
     Selective gear rules apply, and fish must be a minimum size of eight inches. Bait is allowed. There is a two-fish limit.
     Fishing is closed from the reservoir to the mouth of the Okanogan River to protect spawning steelhead.
     Schalow Pond: The pond has not been planted in recent years due to an infestation of smallmouth bass.
     There is walk-in access from the east end of Fish Lake. Anglers can use tubes or rafts to fish the pond.
     Anglers should be wary of rattlesnakes sunning themselves along the path to the lake, which is open year round. The 10-acre pond is 4.5 miles northeast of Conconully in the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area
     Silvernail Lake: The tiny five-acre lake lies four miles north of Oroville off Highway 97.
     Open to juveniles only (14 years old and younger), the lake is open year round.
     Fishing should be good for 10-inch rainbow trout.
     There is a state Department of Fish and Wildlife access site near the lake.
     Similkameen River: Except for the winter whitefish season, all other fisheries are closed to protect fish listed under the Endangered Species Act.
     Abundant adult steelhead returns have allowed a fishery to open through emergency regulation in the fall for the stretch between Enloe Dam and the Okanogan River.
     A steelhead fishery is dependent upon run size, which must exceed natural and hatchery broodstock requirements.
     During the special winter whitefish-only season (Dec. 1 to March 31) from Enloe Dam to the mouth, fishing should be fair when the river is not frozen (it's usually fishable in December and March). Check the latest regulations pamphlet for whitefish gear rules.
     Otherwise the river is closed to trout fishing, which includes steelhead, unless opened through emergency regulations in the fall.
     The river enters the United States from British Columbia six miles north of Palmer Lake and flows about 18 miles south and east to Oroville, dropping over Enloe Dam before entering the Okanogan River.
     A road from Oroville follows the river most of its length and splits near Nighthawk, with one part heading north into Canada and the other south toward Palmer Lake.
     Sinlahekin Creek: Anglers with gumption and guts - rattlesnakes like to slither among the trees and willows - will find good fishing for eastern brook and rainbow trout in this north-running stream.
     Selective gear rules are in effect during the short trout season (June 1 through Aug. 31) from Palmer Lake to Cecile Creek bridge.
     There is a special winter whitefish-only fishery from Dec. 1 through March 31. Check the latest regulations pamphlet for whitefish gear rules.
     Also available in limited numbers are kokanee (also has whitefish) in the lower creek near Loomis.
     The creek runs northward parallel to Sinlahekin Road from Blue Lake in the Sinlahekin Valley to Palmer Lake.
     Spectacle Lake: This 314-acre storage reservoir should produce well for rainbows in the 10- to 12-inch range as well as a few carryovers up to 15 inches.
     The lake sports a new season of April 1 through Sept. 30.
     Resorts - there are three - often open in mid-April. A department access site has a remodeled concrete boat ramp. Toilets are available.
     There is a five-fish daily limit.
     The reservoir is located in the Whitestone Coulee unit of the Okanogan-Similkameen division of the Chief Joseph Dam Project.
     This is a reclamation irrigation project associated with Chief Joseph Dam but not a part of the dam. Apples, pears, cherries and alfalfa hay are the chief crops produced in the project area.
     The lake is located 2.5 miles east of Loomis and nine miles northwest of Tonasket.
     Starzman Lakes: These three small lakes near Brewster are open year round. Upper Starzman Lake covers eight acres while the lower lake, located 100 yards south, covers 5.5 acres.
     A third, unnamed lake of 4.3 acres is located 2,300 feet south of the main lakes. It does not contain fish. Sunfish can be found in the upper and middle lakes.
     The two upper lakes have been stocked with rainbows the last few years. Brook trout have been planted in the past. A sunfish population has made it difficult to find trout.
     Winterkill often affects the lakes.
     All three of these lakes will be proposed for a fall 2007 rehab to remove illegally planted spiny rays.
     Head north from Brewster on Old Highway 97 for 1.5 miles, turn left to follow Starzman Creek eight miles to the south end of lower Starzman Lake.
     Anglers may want to walk down to the lakes instead of attempting the treacherous, unmaintained road. Small boats or canoes can be launched.
     Sugarloaf Lake: Though not planted in recent years because of low water levels, Jateff said he plans to plant a few triploid eastern brooks in the tiny lake north of Conconully Lake.
     The lake does feature a Forest Service campground that is a favorite camp area for deer hunters in the fall.
     Tiffany Lake: This walk-in lake contains more brook trout than cutthroat, a balance Jateff said he'd like to reverse.
     A population of brook trout migrates to the lake from nearby Boulder Creek.
     The lake will receive future plants of cutthroats.
     The 20-acre lake, which is fished hard early, is about 12 miles northwest of Conconully.
     Little Tiffany Lake, which is about four acres, also holds cutthroats but not in the same numbers as the larger lake. The smaller lake is located .7 mile south of Big Tiffany.
     Wannacut Lake: This 411-acre lake north of Whitestone Lake often lags behind warmer, lower-elevation lakes by a few weeks as far as fishing success goes. Best fishing is May and June for rainbow trout in the 12- to 14-inch range.
     Jateff predicts the lake should be good for rainbow on the opener.
     The lake, which has an April 28 to Oct. 31 season, contains saline water (magnesium sulfate) that makes fish taste especially good.
     Travel 2.5 miles south of Oroville on the west side of the Okanogan River, then west three miles west past Blue Lake to the north tip of Wannacut.
     An alternate route is north from Tonasket on the west side of the Okanogan River for 4.5 miles, then west for another 4.5 miles on the Loomis Highway, then north four miles to the south end of the lake.
     A resort and public access with toilets and launch are available.
     Washburn Island Pond: This 130-acre lake located north of Brewster has a mix of largemouth bass, numerous bluegill, a few crappie and an occasional channel catfish.
     The former steelhead rearing facility, which is owned by the Douglas County PUD, is located on the Colville Indian Reservation. The diked-off oxbow is managed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
     Anglers must possess both state and Colville tribal fishing licenses if fishing from shore on reservation property. A state license is required for fishing from a boat.
     The season runs April 1 to Sept. 30 at this pond adjacent to the Columbia River. A dike created the pond from a former river channel near Fort Okanogan Interpretive Center, part of the state park system.
     There is a bass slot limit with a daily catch limit of five fish less than 12 inches or over 17 inches. No more than one fish can be over 17 inches.
     The use of internal combustion engines is prohibited. Electric motors are OK.
     The boat launch has been upgraded, with toilets and parking available.
     Washburn Island Pond is located 22 miles south of Okanogan or four miles northeast of Brewster. Take Highway 97 to the truck weigh station and travel east on Highway 17 for about a mile to a southbound road to the pond.
     Washburn Lake: Expect a short hike to this small, less-than-20-acre lake located on Palmer Mountain two miles northeast of Loomis.
     The lake, which is on BLM land, is open April 28 to Oct. 31.
     Tiger and triploid eastern brook trout are planted each year. By fall the fish are quite nice in size.
     The limit is two trout at the lake, with no minimum size.
     To reach the lake, travel north then west on an unimproved road near the west end of Spectacle Lake.
     Primitive camping is available on a flat area above the lake, or within 100 feet of existing open roads.
     Whitestone Lake: Open all year, this 173-acre lake is considered one of the most important warmwater fisheries in the county. The lake is located about five miles northwest of Tonasket. Largemouth bass bite well all summer and into the fall.
     There is a bass slot limit with a daily catch limit of five fish less than 12 inches or over 17 inches. No more than one fish can be over 17 inches.
     The lake periodically receives plantings of largemouth bass, taken from other lakes and crappie.
     Fishing pressure has declined because perch and sunfish reduced the crappie population. Bass seem to be thriving, with some reaching the three- to eight-pound range.
     Channel catfish also reside in the lake.
     Best fishing is in the spring before bass start diving for cover.
     Drive north from Tonasket on the west side of the Okanogan River for 4.5 miles, then west for three miles to the lake.
     A well-developed public access, which is handicapped accessible, with launch and toilets is available. Camping is allowed.

Find fishing prospects in:
     Okanogan Valley
     Methow Valley
     Okanogan Highlands