By Al Camp
Chronicle staff

     A cool start to April meant not all lakes were ice-free for the Colville Indian Reservation's general fish opener April 12.
     The tribal opener is always the second Saturday of April each year. Most seasons on the reservation run until Oct. 31, ending at the same time as state waters close.
     No major changes were made to the tribe's fishing regulations this year, said senior resident fish biologist Ed Shallenberger.
     "The tribe did try to clarify a few things," he said. "If they (anglers) read the regulations carefully I think they are pretty clear."
     Shallenberger stressed that some anglers are being caught releasing fish caught on bait, which is not allowed, in Lake Rufus Woods.
     Anglers also are creating a mess in the lake, dumping fish guts in park garbage cans or leaving them in the 51-mile-long, 7,800-acre reservoir on the upper Columbia River behind Chief Joseph Dam.
     "Take your mess out," said Shallenberger, who said several dozen anglers dumping entrails have quickly turned an access area into a smelly garbage dump.
     "You are not allowed to leave guts in any water on the reservation," he said. "The park department says no guts in garbage cans. Basically, take your fish home."
     Good news for the most-fished water on the reservation was an agreement signed in December between the tribe and state to build three fishing access areas (with improved parking) along the center of Rufus Woods’ north shore on the Colville Indian Reservation.
     Funding has not been found for the project, said Shallenberger, who said the sites have yet to be identified.
     If legislative funding for the project is approved, the agreement would allow non-tribal anglers to fish with either a Washington state fishing license or a Colville tribal fishing permit from a boat or at the access areas.
     Under the agreement, non-tribal anglers fishing in non-designated, undeveloped areas within the reservation must carry a tribal fishing permit, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
     All non-tribal anglers fishing with a Colville tribal fishing permit also must carry a Colville transport permit if catch is going to be taken off the reservation.
     Rufus Woods, open year-round, provides fishing for walleye, kokanee and triploid rainbow trout. The state's last three record rainbows were caught in the lake.
     "Rufus Woods has become a high-quality fishery, and angler interest in the lake has increased substantially over the last seven years," said Dennis Beich, state Department of Fish and Wildlife north central regional director. "But access to the lake is primarily limited to two public boat ramps at either end."
     Because of the lake's growing popularity - it has surpassed Twin Lakes as the most-fished tribal water, with 40,000 angler days reported last year despite a two-fish limit - the tribe started a major creel study last year, said Shallenberger.
     "We got some really good numbers," said Shallenberger, who said he hopes the study will continue to be funded by the Bonneville Power Administration.
     "It will give us a real handle, for instance, for where fish are coming from," said Shallenberger, who said if those 40,000 anglers averaged 1.5 fish each, they pulled 60,000 fish out of the lake.
     "That's a conservative estimate," he said.
     Where did those fish come from?
     Shallenberger theorizes fish escaped from pens in Rufus Woods along with a multitude of net pens in Lake Roosevelt, with the fish surviving a trip over Grand Coulee Dam.
     "Certainly we do know fish come through Grand Coulee," he said. "We just don't understand the mechanics of how that fishery works. That's a fishery we want to continue to succeed. It's a tremendous fishery."
     The state fish and wildlife department will request $423,000 from the Legislature to fund the first year of the project, and will submit additional requests over the next four years, according to a state announcement.
     Tribal license prices remain the same, at $35 for a regular season permit. Those who take on a winter permit while buying the regular license pay $5 more. Buying a winter permit later will cost $10.
     There is a separate price schedule for permits allowing fishing for a specific amount of days. A tribal license runs to March 31.
     A seasonal permit allows anglers to fish 19 lakes and five creeks or rivers on or adjacent to the Colville Indian Reservation, which encompasses 1.3 million acres within Okanogan and Ferry counties.
     That includes several marginal waters such as Apex, Cook and Duley lakes.
     Anglers will continue to find some of the most diverse fishing experiences in the Northwest on the reservation, with species including rainbows, jumbo rainbow (triploids) and eastern brook trout, bass, Lahontan cutthroat, walleye and kokanee.
     The tribe tries to mirror state regulations on boundary waters.
     Anglers should check the back of the tribe's fishing pamphlet for the latest changes.
     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.
     Tribal licenses and pamphlets are available where reservation licenses are sold and from the tribal fish and game department office on School House Loop Road (Old TSI Road), two miles west of the tribal agency campus near Nespelem.
     Area outlets selling tribal licenses include Wal-Mart, Omak; J&J Smoke Shop, Okanogan; Dave's Gun and Pawn, Riverside; Tom's Tackle Box, Tonasket; Bridgeport True Value; Triangle Texaco, Brewster; Jackson's Chevron, Nespelem; Pateros Ace Hardware; Eich's Mercantile, Republic; Keller Community Store; Twisp Chevron; HiCo Gas and Convenience Store, Grand Coulee, and Big Wally's, Coulee City.
     Those wishing to use a campfire or stay at a tribal campground may need additional permits.
     More information about campground permits is available from the Colville tribal parks department, (509) 634-3145.
     More information about campfire permits is available from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs’ fire management office, (509) 634-2194.
     Most tribal regulations, such as those for trout or bass limits, match state rules. Still, anglers would be wise to check tribal regulations prior to fishing.
     Unless otherwise noted, the daily catch limit for trout, including kokanee and other landlocked salmon species, is five fish with not more than two longer than 20 inches. Minimum size is eight inches. Possession limit is two daily catch limits.
     On Lake Roosevelt only, anglers can keep two kokanee (marked or unmarked) in addition to a daily trout catch limit. This means a bag limit of up to seven trout.
     Steelhead, salmon, sturgeon and bull trout are closed to fishing. There were emergency openers last year that allowed fishing for steelhead and salmon on some boundary waters.
     Reservation waters, mostly in Okanogan County, include:
     Apex Lake: Few anglers fish the three- to five-acre lake, which used to contain largemouth bass. The lake, which contains only bullheads, drains into Borgeau Lake about three-quarters of a mile south.
     The lake, located in Ferry County about four miles south of Inchelium, may be removed from open waters after bass planted a few years ago did not fare well due to winterkill.
     Big Goose Lake: Shallenberger said he's encouraged by bass surviving this winter. He said he walked the shoreline and found only one dead fish at the shallow lake located 17 miles southeast of Omak.
     "We are really concerned about major winterkill there," he said. "If it did not winter kill, it may be alright again."
     Not finding a 100 dead fish was a little reassuring, said Shallenberger, but how well the lake survived won't be known until it's fished.
     The lake sported only a few inches depth at the south end heading into winter. Levels have increased some this spring.
     Two windmill aeration systems (paid for by Bonneville Power Administration) at the lake do not seem to be performing very well, said Shallenberger.
     "Even if they are working, if you have a lake that shallow in winter it can be very hard on them," said Shallenberger, who said the lake was not planted last year.
     "What it needs, like so many of our reservations lakes, is it needs water," said Shallenberger. "That's what it needs more than anything else."
     There is a daily catch limit of 15 bass with not more than two over 14 inches.
     Fish can get large fast in the shallow lake because of scuds. Bass average 11-13 inches though could go larger with higher water.
     Large pumpkin seed fish, perhaps even one big enough for a state record, also reside in the lake.
     A concrete ramp on the east side of the lake may reach to the water line if levels rise.
     Borgeau Lake: The 22-acre lake, located 4.5 miles south of Inchelium, probably was not accessible opening day for rainbows, including some nice carryovers.
     Shallenberger said the east side of the reservation received more snow than other parts, leaving him to feel it will be doubtful that it can be planted prior to the opener.
     Largemouth bass range up to four pounds, though an angler did catch a six-pound bass in early 2005. Bass are best fished once the lake warms up.
     There is a seldom-used boat ramp along with a picnic table and outhouse.
     Buffalo Lake: Extensive creel studies show the lake not doing that well the last couple years, so the planting schedule will include some brook trout and an increase in rainbow trout (6,000 catchable ones when access is available).
     At two miles in length, the 540-acre-plus lake is 7.25 miles southeast of Nespelem and is a fairly complicated lake, said Shallenberger.
     "There are some very good bass in there," he stressed.
     Though the lake is managed for trout, largemouth bass averaging less than two pounds (some reach up to five pounds) also reside in the lake.
     There is a 25-bass daily catch limit. All bass caught must be kept as outlined in the general regulations for bass.
     There are a few eastern brook and kokanee that have spawned naturally in the lake since the 1950s. A few triploid rainbows planted a couple years ago could also remain.
     A crayfish season (there are fewer in the lake than in the past), where the limit is five pounds in the shell, runs July 1 through Sept. 15. The season is later and longer than in the past.
     The kokanee daily catch limit is 15 fish, which could help reduce the fishes' numbers and increase the amount of plankton available for other fish.
     A winter season, which requires a winter fishing permit, runs Jan. 1 to March 15.
     A boat access is on the west side.
     There is a resort on the northeast end of the lake. RV hookups are available at the resort.
     Cook Lake: Anglers should skip the lake, which Shallenberger terms as being dead and likely to be taken off the listing next season.
     He said an effort to introduce Lahontan cutthroat a few years ago failed. Access to the lake is limited because of private property.
     Shallenberger said the lake is almost dry now, so the department is leaving it alone this year.
     There may (emphasis on may) be some spiny ray fish such as bass and pumpkin seed fish left in the tiny lake on Cameron Lake Road about a half-mile west of Little Goose Lake, he said.
     Crawfish Lake: Crawfish lies partly on tribal land and partly on state land. Its season matches the state's general fishing season, April 26 to Oct. 31. (See listing with Highlands waters.)
     Those who fish from shore on the reservation portion of the lake must possess a reservation license. For those who fish from a boat in reservation waters, a state license will suffice.
     Shallenberger said the lake is managed by the state.
     Duley Lake: This shallow lake near Okanogan is about eight miles south of Little Goose Lake on upper Cameron Lake Road.
     "I would not waste my time there," said Shallenberger.
     Duley was part of an experiment started several years ago to see if it could support channel catfish or bass. No fish have been found in the lake of late.
     LaFleur Lake: The season at this primarily largemouth bass lake opens the first Saturday in May, which will be May 3 this year, and runs to Oct. 31.
     Bass in the two- to three-pound range roam in the lake, with some reaching six pounds.
     The lake is planted when the ice goes off and prior to the opener, if a truck can reach the lake. It should hold some good carryovers.
     "It's a lake that a lot of people ignore," said Shallenberger. "People would rather fight crowds at the Twin Lakes when they could go to LaFleur and have the lake to themselves."
     There also are a few brook trout.
     The 25-acre lake is nine miles north of Inchelium. There is a boat ramp, pretty bad, all torn up.
     Small, cartop boats can be used, though expect a little difficulty in launching. Shallenberger said he's trying to find a few extra bucks to clean up the launch sites at several reservation lakes this year, including this one.
     Lake Roosevelt: Colville and Spokane tribes, along with state fish and wildlife, manage the lake behind Grand Coulee Dam for kokanee that range from 16 to 18 inches.
     A kokanee program releases fingerlings each year to rehabilitate the population. Wild kokanee return to the San Poil. Two kokanee can be added to a daily catch limit of five trout.
     The lake is stocked with triploid rainbows from 28 net pen rearing projects including Keller Marina, Hunters, Kettle Falls, Hall Creek and Seven Bays.
     Lake Roosevelt runs from Grand Coulee Dam, which lies at the junction of highways 155 and 174, and extends east and then north past Kettle Falls.
     Lake Roosevelt, which is open all year, carries several special regulations.
     The lake is closed to sturgeon fishing.
     Anglers must become familiar with physical landmarks where the San Poil River and Lake Roosevelt meet. (See section on San Poil River.)
     Daily catch limit for trout is five fish, not more than two more than 20 inches. Possession limit is two daily catch limits.
     The daily walleye limit changed this year. It's eight fish, not more than one over 22 inches. The 16-inch minimum no longer applies.
     The lake sports smallmouth bass and a few largemouth bass. The fish are in the one- to two-pound range, with a few pushing four pounds.
     Daily bass catch limit is 10 fish with no minimum size limit, only one bass greater than 14 inches may be kept.
     Lake Rufus Woods: Pressure on this water makes it the most fished area managed by the tribe.
     Shallenberger said the tribe is working hard to document the amount of pressure. Anglers are also asking for higher bag limit then the current two-fish limit.
     BPA funding could mean triploid rainbows from net pens in the 2.5 to three pound range could be planted on a staggered schedule this next year.
     Many larger triploid rainbows have been pulled from the lake, including a state-record 29.6-pounder by Norm Butler, Okanogan, on Nov. 11, 2002. At the time, the fish broke the previous record, set the same year, by nearly four pounds.
     In recent years, fish weighing 27.07 and 23 pounds have been landed.
     The sterile fish benefit from feed flowing from a net pen operation near Nespelem Creek.
     The lake also gets a lot of fish passing from Lake Roosevelt through Grand Coulee Dam.
     Some smallmouth bass and walleye live in the reservoir.
     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.
     Wild kokanee, which contain special genetic material, must be released in Nespelem River Bay from July 15 to Nov. 30 to protect naturally spawning fish. (For more on the lake, see state listing with major lakes and rivers.)
     For approved boat launch sites, check the back of the tribal fish pamphlet. There is a launch near Chief Joseph Dam and a ramp near Seaton's Grove.
     There's also unimproved access off Columbia River Road at the Timm Ranch and Coyote Creek. Check the tribal pamphlet to learn more.
     Little Goose: This small lake east of Okanogan continues to be planted each year, with fish growing a lot in the spring. But with summer's heat, algae blooms and causes fish to die.
     Rainbows up to a half pound were to be planted prior to the opener.
     Shallenberger said the rich lake allows fish to grow rapidly, though the lake is best fished before May.
     Little Goose, which has a boat access, is located nine miles east of Okanogan on Cameron Lake Road.
     Lost Creek: Rainbow and brook trout live in the creek, located in the north central part of the reservation and starting near the headwaters of Crawfish Lake northeast of Riverside.
     The creek flows east, staying mostly in the reservation, and feeds into the west fork of the San Poil River north of the reservation's boundary.
     The tiny creek does get planted with legal-size rainbows, with the strategy now for more plantings of fewer fish that can reach 14 inches by fall.
     Some of the creek flows through private land, so anglers need to get permission before fishing.
     The creek can be reached via Highway 155 through Lyman Lake.
     McGinnis Lake: This is a brook trout-only lake, with very nice carryover up to 20 inches and several pounds.
     Last year McGinnis was the best lake on the reservation. Success should be good again this year as the lake was ice-free before the opener. More brookies will be planted in the fall at McGinnis, which holds up well into May.
     Larger boats can be launched at the 115-acre lake a mile south of Buffalo Lake and 9.5 miles southeast of Nespelem.
     Nicholas Lake: The limited-access lake north of Inchelium has a season for rainbows from the first Saturday in May (May 3 this year) to Oct. 31.
     The late opener allows a mid-April plant of legal-sized rainbows to acclimatize at the lake that is difficult to reach, both by muddy road and by water.
     The lake features a shallow bench before getting to the good part to fish, so not many people work their way to the open water, said Shallenberger, who said a few fish are planted each year.
     "It's kind of a pretty little place but people have trashed it with beer bottles, which is a shame," he said.
     Some years the lake suffers a severe winter kill.
     The two-acre lake is located 11.6 miles north of Inchelium.
     Okanogan River: A large portion of the river, which is open all year, forms the western edge of the reservation. Tribal and state regulations close the river to the taking of trout, salmon and steelhead. (See listing with state waters.)
     When salmon can be taken, only tribal members can take them from the tribe's side of the river.
     The river is open all year from the mouth to the Malott bridge for all game fish except trout, salmon and steelhead. An emergency regulation may open the river for steelhead fishing in the fall.
     From Dec. 1 to March 31 gear is restricted to a single hook, no larger than size 14.
     Upstream from the Malott bridge the season runs June 1 to Aug. 31 for all game fish except trout, salmon and steelhead.
     Anglers are allowed to use bait north of the Malott bridge. Selective fishery rules no longer apply since the state considers the river a warm water fishery.
     Bait is prohibited from the mouth to the Malott bridge, with the stretch of water considered a selective fishery.
     The daily bass limit is five bass less than 12 inches or more than 17 inches, with no more than one bass over 17 inches (same as the state's regulation).
     Omak Creek: This creek located east of Omak is closed to non-member fishing due to a summer steelhead program.
     Rainbows are no longer planted in the creek.
     Omak Lake: There is limit of three Lahontan cutthroat (not more than one being over 18 inches) at this 3,000-acre lake seven miles southeast of Omak off Highway 155, and those fish are consistently in nice shape.
     The planting this year will be about 25,000 fish after a trap used to collect brood stock was vandalized, with fish stolen and an anchor line cut.
     Past plantings have been as high as 100,000 fish, including last year.
     "That won't affect this year's fishery but will affect it two years from now," said Shallenberger. "All because somebody got greedy."
     A mandatory creel census at the lake shows anglers are catching lots of fish 18 inches or larger.
     The lake has a year-round season. A catch-and-release season runs March 1 to May 31.
     Fish can reach up to 18 pounds, which is the current state record set in 1993 at the lake.
     Non-members can access the south end of the lake north of Baines Beach. Access from Baines Beach south is for tribal members only.
     Two boat accesses are available on the north end of the lake - Nicholson Beach off Columbia River Road and Mission access at the end of the road past Paschal Sherman Indian School off Highway 155.
     The north embayment (next to the Mission boat ramp) is closed to boating and fishing March 1 to May 31. All islands are closed to access from March 1 to April 30 while birds are nesting.
     Anglers may use artificial lures and flies with barbless hooks only; no bait fishing is allowed. Fishing time is from dawn to dark daily. Anglers are required to furnish creel census information.
     Rebecca Lake: This interesting lake, where it's common to see floating islands of brush, produces great fishing for largemouth bass about eight miles north of Nespelem.
     Bass average four to six pounds at the lake, which is 1.5 miles southwest of Buffalo Lake.
     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.
     There is an unimproved boat launch facility, which sometimes can be blocked by the floating islands of brush.
     San Poil River: The tribe continues its transition to native redband trout, raised at its hatchery, for the river.
     A lot fish come up the river from Lake Roosevelt, creating regulations to protect the fish.
     "Regulations are more complex than basically any place on the reservation," said Shallenberger. "People should read regs carefully."
     Redband trout were native to the drainage but disappeared over the years. Trips to the far reaches of tribal streams produced enough eggs over time to get a fishery started at the tribal hatchery near Bridgeport.
     The program has grown big enough so that only redband trout are being planted and coastal trout no longer are being introduced into the river.
     There is a year-round season from mouth of the San Poil River upstream to a location extending across the river from French John's Lake/Manila Creek on the west shoreline and Dick Creek on the east shoreline.
     The season upstream from the location to the free-flowing reach of the river is open to fishing from June 1 to through Dec. 31.
     The short season helps rainbows that are staging in Lake Roosevelt prior to entering the river to spawn.
     The free-flowing reach of the system is open to fishing from May 1 to Oct. 31.
     Walleye and smallmouth bass also inhabit the river.
     A catch-and-release trout season May 1 to Oct. 31 covers the area from Thirty Mile bridge to the reservation boundary. Only single hook, artificial flies and lures with barbless hooks may be used. No bait fishing is allowed.
     There is a wild kokanee release in effect.
     There is a 25-fish daily catch limit for walleye and smallmouth bass. There are no walleye or smallmouth bass size limits in the river section.
     Regulations differ for the river and Lake Roosevelt, into which the river flows. A bay formed where the waters meet fluctuates by season, causing regulations to fluctuate as well.
     With the river not reaching the high water mark, at an elevation of 1,290 feet, the definition of the flowing river can change by as much as one to three miles.
     Anglers should have a tribal permit if they're fishing for walleye and smallmouth bass in the San Poil and be aware of differences in seasons and bag limits between the San Poil and Lake Roosevelt.
     Tribal regulations are an effort to rebuild the wild rainbow population in the San Poil River by putting pressure on San Poil walleye.
     The river produces best in the fall for rainbows up to five pounds.
     Highway 21 parallels the San Poil River for 58 miles from Republic to the Columbia River.
     Stranger Creek: This tiny creek is closed from Inchelium/Gifford Road downstream to the mouth.
     Best success lies in beaver ponds. Anglers should get permission before fishing on private property that borders the creek, which runs out of Twin Lakes near Inchelium.
     The creek, which is planted each June when water levels recede, contains naturally spawning brook trout and plants of sterilized rainbows 13-14 inches.
     "This is a fun little stream to fish, and should be in reasonable good shape," said Shallenberger.
     Season is April 12 through Oct. 31.
     Summit Lake: This lake has a regular season of April 12 to Oct. 31.
     It also has a winter season, which requires a separate tribal winter fishing license that runs Jan. 1 to March 15.
     The lake receives a small planting of brook trout in May after it becomes ice-free. Anglers can expect fish averaging 9-11 inches. There are a few carryovers up to a couple pounds at the lake, where there is not much feed to support more fish.
     The lake is up a steep hill about six miles east of Disautel and 11.5 miles northwest of Nespelem at about 3,500 feet elevation.
     Twin Lakes: These lakes are now the second-most popular angling area on the reservation, having been surpassed last year by Lake Rufus Woods.
     While the lake continues to be popular for good-size largemouth bass, brook trout and rainbows, it can prove to be challenging in the summer in finding where the fish are hiding.
     During the summer, the surface water will be too warm for fish, and deeper water contains little oxygen. Fish will be squeezed into a band only a couple meters deep where it's cool and there's oxygen, explained Shallenberger.
     The regular season runs April 12 to Oct. 31 this year. A winter fishery, which requires a tribal winter fishery license, runs Jan. 1 to March 15.
     Bass range in the 10- to 16-inch range. There is a 15-fish limit with not more than two over 14 inches.
     The plan is to switch to native stock rainbows plantings, said Shallenberger.
     It is lawful to fish to the base of the Stranger Creek outlet structure.
     Twin Lakes covers about 2,000 acres and is located eight miles west of Inchelium. There are two resorts and a public access at North Rocky Point.
     Washburn Island Pond: The season at this 13-acre pond, managed mainly by the state for bass and lying partly on the reservation and partly on state land, runs April 1 to Sept. 30.
     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.
     Largemouth bass run up to a couple pounds at the pond, located four miles east of Brewster off Highway 17.
     The lake also contains bluegill.
     Anglers must possess state and Colville tribal fishing licenses if fishing from shore. A state license is required for fishing from a boat. Use of internal combustion engines is prohibited.
     The boat launch area includes toilets and parking.
     Wells Reservoir: Often called Lake Pateros, the pool is formed on the Columbia behind Wells Dam up to Chief Joseph Dam. The reservoir is open all year.
     The reservoir is closed to salmon and steelhead fishing, though emergency measures may open limited seasons in the fall for summer Chinook salmon and steelhead.
     A trout season runs June 1 to Aug. 31, with a daily catch limit of two fish. Only fish 12 to 20 inches can be kept. Artificial lures and flies with barbless hooks are required. There's no bait fishing allowed.
     Possession limit is one daily catch limit.
     The reservoir, which is managed by the state, is closed to shoreline fishing from the base of Chief Joseph Dam downstream to the Highway 17 bridge on the reservation side (Okanogan County side).
     Closed waters are at Chief Joseph Dam between the west end of the tail race deck downstream 400 feet to the boundary marker.
     Bass and walleye also live in the reservoir.
     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.
     Wilmont Creek: This creek is closed to all fishing from Silver Creek Road downstream to mouth to protect spawning rainbows.
     The creek, located 20 miles south of Inchelium, receives a few plants (above the falls) of native rainbows (planted after spring runoff) and contains a few naturally spawning brook trout.
     The creek may not be fishable early due to runoff from a sizeable amount of snow received in the region.
     The bigger fish, which start at 13 inches, can be found in backed-up water behind beaver dams. The lower two-thirds of the creek borders private land, so anglers should seek landowner permission before fishing.