Northwest Reel Life April 2023 Volume 2 Issue 8 - Flipbook - Page 31
reason: the fishing can be very good here
and the scenery is nice. Creel checkers did
not make it out to any of the lakes here for
the opener but I called Gene Bussell at Liars
Cove Resort, who said anglers did pretty
good for both bass and trout. However, the
lake is really low right now, and according
to Bussell, “it’s not easy to launch boats at
the moment.” The good news is the lake
is starting to fill and boat access is getting
better. Check with Bussell for exactly where
to launch so you don’t get stuck in the mud.
day. Creel checkers noted the fishing was
best in the morning before the winds kicked
up. The anglers checked averaged 2.4 trout
apiece, but the fish were large, with the
rainbows going nearly 14 inches and the
brown trout 16. There were not many anglers
seen at the other Stevens County lakes. At
Starvation Lake, anglers were indeed starving
for trout and the fishing was slow. The same
scenario played out at Rocky and Mudgett
Lake. The few trout checked averaged 12
inches in length.
PEND OREILLE COUNTY:
At Diamond Lake, the crowds were low
and the fishing was slow, due primarily to
cold water temperatures. Of the anglers
checked, on average they only harvested a
rainbow apiece, though most of them were
13-inches long, and the largest checked was a
respectable 19-inch trout.
Last but not least, if you catch a trout with
a blue tag on it, don’t throw it back. That’s a
WDFW trout derby fish and it’s worth a prize.
Go to https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/contests/
trout-derby for details about where these fish
have been stocked and how to claim your
prize if you catch one.
STEVENS COUNTY:
Waitts Lake had more anglers than any other
body of water in Stevens County on opening
John Kruse – www.northwesternoutdoors.
com and www.americaoutdoorsradio.com
JUNE 2023 | 31