Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
DAVENPORT – If one doesn't mind freezing their tails off, there are several enjoyable spots for winter hunting and fishing in Lincoln County, even as temperatures begin to plummet and some animals go into hibernation.
"By far" the most popular seasonal outdoor activity is fishing at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Fish and Wildlife Officer Curt Wood said. He said the water bodies there don't typically freeze over, so ice fishing isn't always an option, but added that the Spokane River arm "sometimes" freezes.
Wood added that the trout haul is usually solid at Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay and Seven Bays. Catches of burbot are also common, and in February and March, walleye..."if you know where to find it," Wood remarked.
The most popular spots for ice fishing are Sprague Lake, Fourth of July Lake and Hog Lake, Wood said. The latter is technically in Spokane County, about 10 miles northeast of Sprague, just east of Fishtrap.
The obvious caveat for ice fishing in these areas is that the lakes have to be frozen with a thick layer of ice covering for the activity to be safe.
"You have to have a good winter," Wood said. "Thin ice is pretty dangerous."
Fourth of July Lake, just south of Sprague, and Hog Lake are classified as winter lakes and typically open for fishing on Black Friday. Coffeepot Lake, northeast of Odessa, sometimes freezes, but is closed during the winter. However, on occasion, it remains frozen by its fishing opening date of March 1.
"I've seen people catch perch (there)," Wood said. "Depending on where you're at in the lake, you may or may not have ice."
Twin Lakes, northwest of Harrington, are open year-round, but Wood said he doesn't see much activity there in the winter.
"You may not have good enough ice," Wood said.
Deer Springs Lake and Pacific Lake, both north of Odessa, are closed for fishing in the winter.
Wood recommended that all prospective fishermen and women consult fishing regulations and pamphlets for up-to-date happenings with fishing around the county.
Some goose and duck hunting will have seasons through January 31. Grouse and turkey seasons close at the end of December.
Pheasant, quail and partridge season go until Jan. 18.
Goose hunting is most popular in the fields of Lincoln County. Hunters also go to Sprague Lake, the Spokane River and Lake Roosevelt, though Wood said the latter doesn't see much activity for duck and goose hunting.
"I wouldn't recommend hunting on the travel side," Wood said.
He added that hunters in the Fort Spokane area of the county will be close to the Spokane Reservation and cautioned against going into reservation territory to pick up shot-down ducks and geese.
In many hunting areas around the country, private property owners may rent out blinds on their land for hunters to use while looking for goose and duck. However, Wood said he doesn't see that very often in Lincoln County.
"Most people with good goose hunting areas keep it to themselves," Wood said.
Most hunting in the county slows down near the end of January, Wood noted.
"'Most people turn to fishing then anyway," Wood said.
As with fishing, Wood urged prospective hunters to check pamphlets for regulations, bag limits and other legal requirements associated with the hunt.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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