Page 4 — 2010 Fishrapper, The Omak Chronicle, Omak, Wash.
Okanogan from 3 because there is no fish ladder at Chief Joseph. Anglers — and trout — benefit from a net pen operation downriver from the mouth of Nespelem River. The state record continues to increase with fish from the reservoir. Anglers often catch fish into the 20-pound range. Marked, designated launching areas include Seaton's Grove Corps of Engineers site two miles downstream from Elmer City, Bridgeport State Park near the lower end, and the Army Corps of Engineers' site upstream of Chief Joseph Dam on the Douglas County side. Anglers can travel 22 miles south from Okanogan on U.S. Highway 97, then east for eight miles on state Highway 17 to a boat launch near the dam. Salmon Creek: Both the north fork and west fork, which flow into Conconully Reservoir, have a season that runs from the first Saturday in June (June 5) and through Oct. 31. Selective gear rules apply, and fish must be a minimum size of eight inches. Bait is not 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, best fished with tubes or rafts, has not been planted in recent years due to an infestation of smallmouth bass.
Anglers should be wary of rattlesnakes sunning themselves along the path to the lake from the east end of Fish Lake. 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 that is open year round to juveniles only (14 years old and younger) lies four miles north of Oroville off U.S. Highway 97. It is planted yearly with catchable rainbows of 8-10 inches, plus a few larger fish. There is a state Department of Fish and Wildlife access site near the lake. Similkameen River: Located west of Oroville, this river that extends into Canada offers fair fishing for winter whitefish in a season of Dec. 1 to March 31 from Enloe Dam to the mouth. The river enters the U.S. 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. Steelhead fishing seasons are open through emergency regulation only as the fish are protected under the Endangered Species Act. A summer Chinook season may be adopted this year. Anglers should check the state Department of Fish and Wildlife's Web site for opening dates and restrictions. When steelhead are allowed to be taken, the river is open between Enloe Dam and the Okanogan River. A steelhead fishery is dependent upon run size, which must exceed natural-origin escapement requirements. A road from Oroville follows the river most of its length to Nighthawk.
Sinlahekin Creek: Anglers with gumption and guts — rattlesnakes like to slither among the trees and willows — will find a few rainbow trout in this north-running stream. Selective gear rules are in effect during a short season that runs from June 5 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. The creek runs northward parallel to Sinlahekin Road from Blue Lake in the Sinlahekin Valley to Palmer Lake. Spectacle Lake: Formed as a reservoir for area orchards, Spectacle is open April 1 through Sept. 30, for yearling rainbow in the 10-12 inch range plus carryovers to 15 inches. There are some brown trout in the lake. Nearly 700 triploid rainbows will be planted this spring in the 1- to 2-pound range. There are three resorts plus a state concrete boat ramp and toilets at the lake, located nine miles southwest of Tonasket. There is a five-fish daily limit. 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. Two were rehabilitated in 2008. The upper lake was replanted with brook trout and the middle with rainbows and a few cutthroat. The lower lake was not rehabilitated. It contains largemouth bass and bluegills. Upper Starzman Lake covers eight acres while the lower lake, located 100 yards south,
See Okanogan Page 5
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sulfate) that makes fish taste especially good. The lake can be reached by two routes. Anglers can go north from Tonasket on the west side of the Okanogan River for 4.5 miles, then west for another 4.5 miles on Loomis-Oroville Road and then north four miles to the south end of the lake. Another route is 2.5 miles south of Oroville on the west side of the Okanogan River, then west three miles past Blue Lake to the north tip of Wannacut. A resort and public access with toilets and launch are available. Washburn Island Pond: This 130-acre diked area of the Columbia River that lies north of Brewster sports lots of weed beds and cover for mostly bluegill and largemouth bass. Anglers can also find a few crappie and channel catfish at the area on the Colville Indian Reservation that sports a season of April 1 to Sept. 30. 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. Tribal and state bass slot limits are the same, 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 and 22 miles south of Okanogan off state Highway 17. Take U.S. Highway 97 to the truck weigh station and travel east on state Highway 17 for about a mile to a southbound road to the pond.
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covers 5.5 acres. A third lake of 4.3 acres is located 2,300 feet south of the main lakes. Historically, the lakes have provided a good trout fishing area despite problems with winterkill. 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: Water levels remain low at this tiny lake north of Conconully Lake that holds a few small rainbows. The lake features a Forest Service campground that is a favorite area for deer hunters in the fall. Tiffany Lake: This walk-in lake holds cutthroat trout and eastern brook. There is a 10-fish bag limit for eastern brook in the lake or tributaries. The 20-acre lake, which is fished hard early and open year round, is about 12 miles northwest of Conconully. Little Tiffany Lake, which is about four acres and holds cutthroats, is 0.7 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. Once the weather warms up in May and June, anglers can expect rainbows of 11-12 inches with a few carryovers up to 15 inches. The lake, which has an April 24 to Oct. 31 season, contains saline water (magnesium
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