SPokane Lakes vs N. Idaho Lakes

[Get Offme Fish]

I live here in N. Idaho and fish many of the area lakes. Im am just curious if it would be even worth getting a WA out of state license to fish WA lakes.

DO any of them have anything really diff to offer. I have 10-12 lakes to hit all within 30 min.

I fish Hayden, Twin, Hauser, Rose, Spirit, Fernan, Rose. because I only have a 12ft bass style boat or float tube I havent got into the rivers or Coeur D alene.

So is there any WA lakes on the east side that is a must...

[iceintheveins]

Unless it's during runoff, go fish the Yakima. Might take you two plus hours from Spokane though, maybe three. I think FDR and Banks lake have good smallie fishing too.

[iceintheveins]

If you live in N. Idaho, go fish the Payette or Snake for big smallies, or even the Hells Canyon Reservoirs system.

[Big Fish Rice]

As far as Eastern Wa is concerned, I think you would enjoy Banks Lake. (Hint: The Bass Tournament goes there for a reason)

Other than Banks, many of our lakes will be similar to the waters that you fish currently. Some may disagree, but thought I would offer you another option for some fishing.

It's been awhile since I've been to Twin Lakes...how is the fishing over there now?

[Get Offme Fish]

Thanks for the reply... Twin is still pretty good one of my favs. I know there are some very nice lakes in Central WA and Idaho but each year I think about getting an WA license but if there are no close Spokane lakes any better than N.Idaho lakes I would just save my $$$.

[Big Fish Rice]

Well, it really depends on what types of fish you're after. A couple of recent posts on washingtonlakes.com reports are showing some nice sized bass from "Liberty Lake" not too far from our WA/ID border.

Rock Lake is huge and deep, with many LARGE sized browns and can be a great Bass lake as well. Multiple species such as Bass, Browns, Cutthroats, Rainbows, and "sea monsters" that have never returned anyone who have fallen in.

Bonnie Lake is Northeast of Rock Lake, and is only accessible through a "channel". Smaller fishing boats are able to ease up the narrow path quite easily, but this deters big "bass boats" and larger vessels from accessing the lake. The lake itself is about 4 miles long, and has an island (BLM owned) that you can camp on. Great fishing might I add!

Of course, you have Newman not too far from Hauser, and some other lakes such as Downs, Williams, Chapman, Amber, Badger and some others within 30-45 minutes South of Spokane.

*Downs Lake is in the middle of nowhere, and is covered in lily pads. Picture a maze, with overgrown lily pads and driving through "paths" across the lake. It's like "where's waldo" while fishing. Great Bass though, and some anglers this past weekend showed me some of their "tiger trout". Cool looking fish....too bad I couldn't catch the big Largemouth that was staring up at me through the water!

[IdahoLunkerHunter]

I am from Sandpoint and fish:

Idaho:

Pend Oreille

Hayden

Black

CDA

Anderson

Shepard

Muskrat

McArthur

Priest

Cocolalla

Spirit

Washington:

Banks

Spokane

Soon to fish Pot Holes

I just fished Banks this last weekend. Good fishery. Tons of smallies. Lots of 1-2lb smallies and a lot of 1-2 lb largemouth and a few 3-4 lb largies but lost in reeds. Can't wait for Pot Holes.

I have noticed a big difference from fishing Washington and Idaho Lakes. Most Washington Lakes are reservoir fishing... Man made. It takes a bit to get used to but is definetely worth the money if you want to learn how to fish different kinds of water.

[Get Offme Fish]

I am from Sandpoint and fish:

Idaho:

Pend Oreille

Hayden

Black

CDA

Anderson

Shepard

Muskrat

McArthur

Priest

Cocolalla

Spirit

Washington:

Banks

Spokane

Soon to fish Pot Holes

I just fished Banks this last weekend. Good fishery. Tons of smallies. Lots of 1-2lb smallies and a lot of 1-2 lb largemouth and a few 3-4 lb largies but lost in reeds. Can't wait for Pot Holes.

I have noticed a big difference from fishing Washington and Idaho Lakes. Most Washington Lakes are reservoir fishing... Man made. It takes a bit to get used to but is definetely worth the money if you want to learn how to fish different kinds of water.

I forgot about granite I need to put that back on my list this year. not familiar w/ muskrat I check it on yahoo maps looks pretty good.

See for the Wa lakes I dont have a big enough rig to get on Banks or Potholes. and the lakes in spokane wont really offer me any thing diff then I can find in N. Idaho.