Fishing on Lake Roosevelt in Washington

Lake Roosevelt is located in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area in northeast Washington. Lake Roosevelt is fed by the mighty Columbia River that has drawn people for more than 9,000 years to its waters. Nowadays, it is mostly recreational visitors who come to enjoy the scenery and activity in the area. One of the main forms of recreation on Lake Roosevelt is fishing. Learn about fishing at Lake Roosevelt and some of the necessary information about fishing to help you plan your next fishing trip.

Types of Fish and Geography

• Lake Roosevelt contains more than 30 species of fish. More than 500,000 rainbow trout and kokanee are stocked every year to ensure a great fishing experience.

  Other common sport fish are largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye and perch. The lake is set in a beautiful and often sunny location surrounded by amazing landscapes that feature a deep basalt canyon that makes up the northern rim of the Columbia plateau.

Before You Go

• The Lake Roosevelt Recreation area is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Located in the heart of the rainy Pacific Northwest, be prepared for bad weather anytime from early fall through late spring.

  Summer will bring hot temperatures and dry air. Spokane has the nearest airport, and remember that Lake Roosevelt is in a small rural area with minimal supplies available.

  Also, make sure you have the proper licenses for any fishing trip in the state of Washington.

Fishing for Walleye

• Lake Roosevelt is well-known for its walleye fishing. Many people consider walleye to be the best-flavored white-fleshed fish in freshwater, according to the National Park Service.

  A defining characteristic of the walleye is they have large, opaque-white eyes. Experienced anglers know that this means they tend to stay away from bright light and frequent murky and muddy waters.

  A good day of walleye fishing on Lake Roosevelt will yield several 2- to 3-pound walleye, with the chance of catching one that weighs up to 10 pounds.

Fishing for Rainbow Trout

• With its stocked reserves, Lake Roosevelt is an excellent place to fish for rainbow trout. Because the lake is located on the east side of the state, it is relatively uncrowded and is away from the large population of anglers that populate the western end of the state.

  Fishing in winter is an especially ideal time to visit if you are seeking solitude. You can pick out a day with relatively good weather, or even the rare sunny day, and enjoy the lake without any crowds.

Camping for your Fishing Trip

• Camping is $10 per night from May 1 to Sept. 30 and $5 per night from Oct. 1 to April 30 as of 2010. There are 27 available campgrounds on the lake with some of them boat-in only. They are first-come, first-served, and you might need reservations during summer months and especially holidays.