Cover photo courtesy Cutboard Studios

The Spokane River tumbles powerfully through the heart of the Spokane metro. It’s a small section of the river, which threads 111 miles from Lake Coeur d’Alene to Lake Roosevelt, but the location is a metaphor for how we should view the river: central to the health of our region, people, wildlife and culture.

When I began to call Spokane home, I wondered what the river’s problems were, what challenges it faced, and what we were trying to do better. This spring, I followed my curiosity. I took my first whitewater rafting trip, interviewed staff of the Spokane Riverkeeper, and talked to local conservation groups and tribes. Whether you’re a river novice, like I was, or well-versed in the river’s issues, I hope my journey will illuminate the many ways you might get to know the river better.

~

On an overcast day in June, I met up with FLOW Adventures for a guided whitewater trip on the Spokane. Our launch site was Redband Park, appropriately named after the native trout I’d recently learned about. From there, we could see the towering structures of downtown, even though we were about to paddle Class III rapids.

We received a safety briefing from our raft guide Joe Nollete, a bearded, experienced guide in his 50s, and our safety boater Ty, who was in his early 20s and still earning his river hours. That morning, I was one of seven passengers who donned PFDs provided by FLOW, grabbed a paddle, and stepped onto a bright blue raft.

Where the water was calm, we practiced our paddling. Our first assignment was to avoid the pilings of the Sandifur bridge. Nollete instructed our movements — left side back, right side forward; all forward; take a rest. We seemed to earn a passing grade. My goal, as a river newbie, was to stay on the raft.

After the bridge, we cruised past brush-lined riverbanks, maneuvering once or twice to stay clear of “strainers,” which were downed trees or branches extending into the river. The reason it is called a strainer is that it will treat your body like a noodle, Nollete told us. “Which would not be good,” he clarified.

The mood of our group was light, knowing we were under Nollete’s savvy watch. He outlined features you might only see from the seat of a raft, like brick-red rock on the riverbank. It was, indeed, brick, he told us—rubble from buildings that was dumped into the river long ago.

“If someone had a lot of ambition, they could build a house out of that,” Nollete joked as we drifted by. But the bricks were evidence of how we treated the river at the onset of industrialization in Spokane: a dumping ground for everything.

~

Before my whitewater trip, I spoke with Jule Schultz, the Waterkeeper at the Spokane Riverkeeper organization, who told me that 35,000 pounds of trash had already been removed from the river this year. It was May. This was a staggering and excellent thing—that trash was out of the river for good, since it had been collected before the water level rose.

The Spokane Riverkeeper is a nonprofit dedicated to keeping the Spokane River fishable and swimmable. If we want to talk pollution, though, trash is really just an aesthetic pollutant. To cover the bigger offenders like heavy metals (lead, arsenic, and zinc from old mining operations), phosphorus and nitrogen (related to loss of riparian habitat and agricultural operations), PCBs, and temperature, I spoke with Katelyn Scott, an attorney and the Water Protector for the Spokane Riverkeeper.

One of Scott’s roles is to hold polluters accountable by making sure they follow their discharge permits. The state regulates over 60 chemical pollutants, and they go into the same water that supports our wildlife. The discharge permits set limits on the amount of pollution that is legally and regularly dumped into the river. One mission of the Spokane Riverkeeper is to get those allowed pollution levels down as low as possible.

When I spoke to Scott in May, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had just released the final draft of a PCB cleanup plan for the Spokane River, which was looking positive in Scott’s eyes because the EPA was using the Spokane Tribe’s standard for pollution, which is the lowest in the basin. (The tribal standard is 1.3 picograms, while the state level remains at 7 picograms.)

Another river pollutant is 6PPD, a rubber-stabilizing chemical that comes off car tires. Scott is encouraging the state to do more studies on 6PPD and its effect on salmon and trout so we can set limits and create healthier habitat for the return of salmon.

6PPD gets into the river when it washes in with stormwater, which also carries in things like fertilizer and road salts. In Spokane, we have a combined stormwater and sewage treatment system. This is good because it takes our stormwater and treats it; it’s bad because when there’s too much input, like after a heavy rainstorm, the system overflows, which means raw sewage is alsodischarged into the river.

Before you swear off swimming, know that sewage and stormwater treatment is getting better. The City of Spokane recently installed 25 Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) tanks, which will accommodate the system overflow for decades and help keep untreated sewage out of the river.

~

The water we rafted on looked clear without the sun’s refraction. When I twisted over the side of the raft, I could see large boulders at the river’s floor. I was finding more time to look around on this whitewater journey than I’d anticipated. As we floated through a calm bend known as the “big eddy,” our group admired a bald eagle perched on a tree snag.

If I’m being honest, I wasn’t impressed with our synchronized paddling. Our left side was weak. Nollete assured us that our paddling was akin to the role of an engine; we were the power, and he could maneuver us with the long oars from his raised seat at the back of the raft. Still, as we approached the roar of our first big rapids at Bowl and Pitcher, I was apprehensive.  

I had viewed this feature many times from the swinging bridge, heart racing as I stared down at the wild torrent of water. As we drifted toward the first set, Nollete instructed, “all forward.” People on both sides began to paddle. Then he started yelling, “dig, dig, dig!,” which meant we were not paddling hard enough.

The next thing he yelled, as we neared the biggest wave of the rapid, probably makes the top-five list of things I do not want to hear my whitewater guide yelling: “We are not where we want to be!”

~

The redband trout population is not where we want it to be. The salmon, even less so.

The Spokane River used to have almost a million anadromous fish, fish like steelhead and Chinook salmon that migrated to the sea and back to our river to spawn. Local tribes historically relied on the life-source of the river’s salmon for subsistence fishing and trading with other tribes. In the last 100 years, a combination of pollution, grazing and dams extirpated the Spokane salmon population and left land-locked redband trout, remnants of the steelhead population.

With native salmon gone, we look at redband trout as a sentinel species to judge the health of the river. Data shows a startling decline: in 1984, the Spokane Valley fishery had 3,840 fish per mile. Now, in surveys of that same stretch, there are 60 fish per mile. The trout are suffering, so a major question Schultz asks in his role is at the Riverkeeper is, why?

Schultz has a few obvious thoughts: invasive species like pike, which got a voracious foothold in too-warm waters; destruction of riparian zones, which allows sediment and farm chemicals to decrease the oxygen available to fish; segmentation of the river from dams, which contributes to temperature pollution; and metal pollution killing off available food, as macro invertebrates (the bugs the fish favor) are highly sensitive to metals.

The fisheries in the valley and near downtown are catch-and-release only, due to the toxins in the river and lack of fish. You’ll find fish consumption advisories due to PCB levels, and we’re only beginning to test for PFAS.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, Shultz assured me. The trout numbers are better downstream at 300 fish per mile, where the water is cooler thanks to aquifer input. While he would rate our recreational fishery health as “difficult,” there are still enough trout for recreational fishing.

Downriver of the Nine Mile Dam and in Lake Spokane, the numbers are even higher. You can catch and eat fish, especially the non-native species like walleye, perch and bass. Still, when I was on the river with Nollete, he said his rule of thumb was to eat fish from the river no more than two times a week.

~

We hit the first big wave at Bowl and Pitcher with the side of our raft.

When it became likely that I might get kicked out of the raft, I started to paddle like there was no tomorrow. That kick of adrenaline meant I missed most of the scenic view of the bridge I’d been looking forward to, instead focused on jamming my toes under the raft supports for a literal foothold as water washed aboard. Our group got wet—wet enough to gain a laugh from our safety boater, Ty, who rolled easily ahead of us—but I’m happy to report all seven of us remained in the boat.

After our big grins wore off, the river calmed, and we once again drifted without paddling. We had a few minutes before the next river feature, known as Devil’s Toenail. As we reset, I trailed my hand down in the river. Though we approached the summer solstice, it was still cold to the touch.

~

I mentioned earlier that temperature was a pollutant. It’s pretty simple: fish need cold water to live. When flow levels drop, river temperatures warm.

During the the hottest summer months, in our arid climate, we dump a lot of water on our lawns. Tack on more frequent drought years, and this becomes a big problem for the river. Meaning it’s a problem for us.

In 2019, the average household in Spokane was using 587 gallons of water a day in the summer. To lend some context, our average annual consumption is 235 gallons, and that number is almost triple the national average of 82 gallons. While this data is a few years old, the message remains clear — our summer water usage is out of control. And it is hurting our river.

In 2022, predecessor Riverkeeper Jerry White petitioned for the City of Spokane to adopt a water conservation program that would give guidelines and incentives for responsible outdoor water use. It would also encourage the city to hold large water facilities accountable for their water usage. The ordinance went into effect that year, but it’s been slow to take.

In order to prevent super-low flows in our river, we need to conserve water year-round, not just when it’s hot outside. But most of us don’t seethe damage of low flow. We just turn on the sprinklers. One of Shultz’s goals is to increase public engagement with the river’s water levels. If he had his way, we’d project the river flow year-round on the downtown clock tower.

Managing your water is perhaps the easiest way to become a riverkeeper yourself. Scour the city’s webpage on the Water Wise program to learn about the water conservation ordinance, effective June-October, which includes outdoor watering schedules by house address. You’ll also find opportunities for rebates for water-saving items like smart sprinklers, high-efficiency toilets, and replacing your lawn with drought-tolerant plants.

“We have a huge impact on the river, and we can change it,” says Shultz. 

The river is powerful, but its water is not infinite.

~

“It sounds like there’s a jet . . . but there’s not,” says Nollete, which cues our group into our approach of Devil’s Toenail. The rapid looked as gnarly as its name. I was holding my breath again.

To our group’s paddling credit, we hit the waves nose-first this time. With Nollete instructing us precisely on when to paddle or rest, on the left or the right, the Devil’s Toenail turned out to be a series of big, fun bumps. After the rapids, we reached flat water on the river. It was an experience of contrast, of rough water and sudden stillness. This river had multiple personalities.

The experience of Devil’s Toenail reminded me of something Scott had told me: “That river is so powerful, but it will also share its power with you if you’re willing to listen and sit with it for a while.”

It is just as important to listen to one another as we work toward river health and restoration.

~

Our responsibility to curb our water use dovetails into an important conservation topic: the restoration of salmon. To satisfy the rights of local tribes to take fish, we need salmon to come back to harvestable levels. And we need healthy flow levels to do that.

The prospect of returning salmon is a cultural point. I spoke with Caj Matheson, a member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe who works as the Natural Resources Director and serves on the tribal council, about the historical importance of the Spokane River and its salmon to his people.

The river has always been sacred and life-sustaining, often personified in the tribe’s oral stories, and its salmon were critical to the tribe’s nutrition and survival. Several generations ago, traveling to harvest salmon nurtured relationships with other tribes like the Spokane. Matheson says salmon season was a time when the tribes would intermarry and partake in things like gambling, foot races, and horse or swimming races.

“You can just imagine the absolute festive atmosphere that was involved in getting together with these other tribes to capture salmon. It was really without measure. There was an emotional and spiritual thing that salmon really provided for the tribes in bringing us all together in a celebratory way,” says Matheson.

The Upper Columbia United Tribes, led by the Coeur d’Alene, Colville, and Spokane tribes, are in phase two of testing the feasibility of permanent, full-scale salmon reintroduction. This spring, in the Spokane River and other blocked areas of the Upper Columbia, they released 2,000 yearling Chinook salmon tagged with acoustic transmitters and 120,000 implanted with PIT tags. Phase two includes tracking the spawning locations of these fish. It also requires doing things like physically driving the fish in trucks to portage around dams and place them in their historic waterways.

Conor Giorgi, who is the Anadromous Project Manager for the Spokane Tribal Fisheries, says the salmon are doing just what they’re supposed to: finding places to reproduce. “We take that as confirmation of the habitat assessments (phase one) we did a number of years ago. We are seeing the next generation come out of the Spokane,” says Giorgi.  

In September of 2023, the tribes signed a settlement agreement with the federal government to fully fund phase two reintroduction efforts. It’s positive news, but it’s still a long game to play. Tribes are evaluating how well fish perform in habitats, what they can expect from those populations, and designing and installing interim fish passage systems at all five dams. This will take the next 20 years to complete, says Giorgi. With a salmon’s lifecycle at six years, collecting data just takes time.  

“When you think about salmon coming back, our hope is that all those things get restored back to our people. All this spiritual fullness, the health, the vibrancy that it can bring is something that we’re really looking forward to,” says Matheson. 

Meanwhile, the river faces ever-evolving demands from climate and people. But, as Shultz put it, “We now have a rallying cry here: we need a healthy river for these fish.”

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So, what can you do? Get to know the river. Sign up with the Riverkeeper to study mercury levels in crayfish this July; participate in a river clean-up; take samples to test turbidity (water clarity) in Hangman Creek; or just get onto one of the many river beaches and enjoy being by, on, or in the river.

To aid anglers and recreationists alike, Shultz has installed real-time temperature sensors along the river. Fishermen seek cold waters where fish thrive; groups looking to float in a tube in July and August want a warm stretch of river. Find water temperature data for Harvard Road, Peaceful Valley and the Little Spokane River at Spokaneriverkeeper.org/water-temperature.

If you study where to go, the river can be a great place for fishing, paddling, swimming and tubing in summer months. Find an interactive map of the Spokane River, which lists launch sites and amenities, at Spokaneriver.net/watertrail. Always wear a PFD on the water and enlist a guide if you’re out of your comfort zone. Silver Bow Fly Shop and Fly Fish Spokane lead fly fishing trips, while FLOW Adventures handles logistics with tube rentals and shuttle service.

“Start by just dipping your feet in,” says Shultz. “Literally and figuratively.” Because we protect the things we know and love.

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Just before our raft reached the take-out point at Plese Flats, where we would catch a FLOW shuttle back to Redband Park, someone spotted the brown pelt of a coyote. We watched as it picked its way up the hill from the river, weaving through bunches of purple lupine toward the Centennial Trail. We talked about how this place still felt wild, even if it wasn’t as wild as we wanted or needed it to be.

Lisa Laughlin is the managing editor of Out There Venture and has an MFA in Creative Nonfiction. She lives, writes, runs and paddleboards in Spokane.

The post Reflections On a River appeared first on Out There Venture.

“When I arrived in this position, I recognized this was the highest purpose for my personal and professional life,” says White, who is now ready to pass the torch. “I feel that this is a natural time in the life of the organization to invite new energy and vision into the community.” The organization will seek a new Riverkeeper this summer who will guide the future of the Spokane River and its tributaries as our region continues to grow. The vision remains a clean Spokane River that has healthy ecosystems and aquatic communities, is safe from pollution, and is accessible by and connected to the entire community for health and enjoyment.

White says he will continue to support the community as it meets its responsibility to the Spokane River, and will be out there swimming with trout and listening to the river. “I will grow into a slightly different kind of River supporter. Perhaps one who tries to hold the lantern for others. I want to thank the many friends, partners and associates who have cared for the river. I am humbled and proud to have worked with you, worked for you, and shared your frustrations, joys and successes.” (OTO)

The post Jerry White Jr. Moves on From Spokane Riverkeeper appeared first on Out There Venture.

Spending a day “at the lake”—or, even better, a weekend getaway or week-long vacation—does a mind and body good. After the past hard 16 months, everyone deserves to chill on a beach for a while. Wherever you are in the Inland Northwest, a lake is only a drive or bike-ride away. Pack some essentials and go.

Our online Inland Northwest Lake Guide, updated for 2021, includes over 60 of the best lakes in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, western Montana, and southeast British Columbia.

You’ll find descriptions of not only the most popular big and mid-sized lakes, but also many small, remote lakes that are still easily-accessible. Learn which lakes are best for swimming, paddling, fishing, and boating. Amenity information is provided so you can learn which public lands and parks to visit, and learn about the beaches, boat launches, campgrounds, RV parks and “lake resorts,” as well as lakeside trails for hiking or biking.

Use our guide to brainstorm your bucket list of summertime fun and plan upcoming lake adventures. Search our online archives (using the search tool in the upper right) to find even more stories about lake-based recreation and recommended regional travel destinations, including articles about backcountry alpine lakes, paddling tips, water safety advice, and much more.

This online guide can help you find the perfect place to enjoy the lake however you’d like—casting a rod; reading a book while the sunshine glistens on the waves; skipping rocks; floating on the glassy flatwater; taking a cool, refreshing swim; gracefully diving or cannonballing off a dock; watching fish jumping and turtles and frogs among the lily pads. And feel grateful that you are right here in the wonderful Inland Northwest.

PHOTOS: [Top Row] Paddleboard yoga on the Chain Lakes of the Coeur d’Alene River, off the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes (left); Lake Roosevelt (upper right), Blossom Lake (lower right) // Photos: Shallan Knowles. [Middle Row] Fish Lake Regional Park and Pend Oreille Lake at Sam Owen Campground. // Photos: Amy McCaffree. [Bottom Row] Priest Lake // Photo: Robert Salsbury; Sullivan Lake // Photo: Amy McCaffree; Bonnie Lake // Photo: Chris Cindric.

EASTERN WASHINGTON

High adventure, serene paddling, hiking, camping — whatever your preferred activities and recreation, the lakes dotting eastern Washington’s diverse landscape provide destinations to suit your agenda. From backcountry flatwater nestled within national forests to Ice Age-flood channeled scablands, the scenery is reason enough to go.

This guide focuses on lakes located east of the Columbia River, where it bisects the state at Vantage.

For full details about public boat launches and fishing and boating access sites in Washington State, visit the websites for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), U.S. National Forest Service (FS), or the municipal park or public land management agency for the lake. Contact private resorts and campgrounds for current operation dates and times, fees, and reservations.

Banks Lake: This 27,000-acre reservoir lake extends 27 miles between two community hubs, from Coulee City north to Electric City and Grand Coulee. Boaters, wake-boarders, and water-skiers have fun here, and anglers enjoy catching whitefish and walleye. Amenities:6 WDFW sites, Steamboat Rock State Park, Coulee City Community Park and Campground, Coulee Playland Resort (Electric City).

BearLake: Find this quiet, spring-fed lake 15 miles north of Spokane, near Chattaroy. Amenities: Bear Lake Regional Park (Spokane County)..

Badger Lake: Expect good trout fishing and serene paddling. Amenities: WDFW boat ramp and dock.

Bead Lake: Located in the Colville National Forest, enjoy paddling and fishing for kokanee and trout. Amenities: FS boat launch. 

Big Meadow Lake: Loons and trout call this rustic lake home, and fishing prospects are “excellent” in July, according to WDFW. There is both a dock and boat launch at the campground. Amenities: FS Big Meadow Campground.

Bonnie Lake: A paddler’s haven located south of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, put-in your watercraft at the small, rustic boat launch by Rock Creek bridge. Private landowners allow launch access, so be respectful and Leave No Trace. Paddle upstream to find the long, narrow lake and its island (BLM land, open to the public). Amenities: None.

Clear Lake: Anglers, boaters, and water-skiers enjoy this 316-acre lake west of Spokane. Amenities: WDFW, Sun Cove Resort.

Curlew Lake: Located in Ferry County, you can do all the watersports on this 7-mile long lake. It’s open year-round for fishing, and waterfowl nest on the lake’s small islands. Nearby recreation destinations include the Ferry County Rail Trail and Stonerose Interpretive Center and Eocene Fossil Site in Republic.. Amenities: Curlew Lake State Park, Tiffany’s Resort, Fisherman’s Cove Resort, Black Beach Resort.

Deer Lake: Fed by springs and snowmelt, this lake has 1,150 acres for all watersports. Amenities: WDFW, Deer Lake Resort.

Diamond Lake: Expect good fishing at this 754-acre lake near Newport, which was recently stocked with more than 12,500 trout. Amenities: WDFW, Little Diamond Lake KOA, Thousand Trails RV Campground.

Eloika Lake: Nestled in the Selkirk Mountain foothills north of Spokane, paddlers can spot beavers and muskrats around this 3-mile long lake. Amenities: WDFW, Jerry’s Landing Resort.

Fish Lake: Enjoy this 32-acre rural lake, off the Cheney-Spokane Road, and its quaint county park, which includes a boat ramp (no gas motors), swimming beach, dock, and playgrounds. Nearby is the trailhead for the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park. Amenities: Fish Lake Regional County Park.

Fishtrap Lake: A remote 190-acre lake near Sprague, in Lincoln County, with 8,000+ acres of BLM public land along its west shoreline, which includes nearby Hog Canyon Lake. Amenities: WDFW launch sites, Fishtrap Recreation Area – Bureau of Land Management (no facilities or services), Fishtrap Lake Resort.

Hog Canyon Lake (Hog Lake): People come here to fish, paddle, or hike the trail that travels partly along the cliff edges overlooking the lake. Hog Canyon Falls is a viewing attraction, but the waterfall itself is on private property. Amenities: Fishtrap Recreation Area, WDFW.

Horseshoe Lake: One of the best local paddling destinations, according to Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club members, this 128-acre lake has a “no wake” rule. It’s located in Pend Oreille County, in the northeast corner of the state, . Amenities: WDFW.

Lake Spokane: Local paddlers, boaters, and bass anglers enjoy this 24-mile reservoir along the Spokane River, from Nine Mile Falls to Long Lake Dams. Though called Lake Spokane, some locals still refer to it as Long Lake (not be confused with Long Lake near the town of Republic). Amenities: Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area; Fisk State Park (Fisk property acquisition by Riverside), and Lake Spokane Campground in the town of Tum Tum.

Little Pend Oreille Chain of Lakes: In the Colville National Forest is a chain of four small lakes interconnected by the Little Pend Oreille River. Starting from the north end, it includes lakes Leo, Heritage, Thomas and Gillette (connected by a short navigable channel), and Sherry (which connects with Gillette via short channel under Pend Oreille Lake Road). The western shoreline of Thomas and Gillette, and all of Sherry Lake, are developed with homes and docks. Enjoy paddling, swimming, and fishing. Amenities: FS campgrounds, boat launches, and day-use areas at Lakes Leo and Gillette; FS campground only at Thomas; Beaver Lodge Resort & Campground at Gillette. 

Liberty Lake: An iconic lake close to the city, it’s popular with paddlers, boaters, and other users. Amenities: WDFW, launch with dock; Liberty Lake Regional Park (beach, campground, no boat launch, entrance fee required).

Loon Lake: Over 1,000 acres for boating, waterskiing, and fishing on this lake in Stevens County. Amenities: WDFW, Shore Acres Resort, Granite Point Park.

Long Lake: Near the town of Republic, in the Colville National Forest, this rustic 13-acre lake is regulated for anglers as fly-fishing only. Good for paddling; no motorized boats. Amenities: FS Long Lake Campground. 

Medical Lake: This spring-fed lake, with an average summer temperature of 74 degrees, is ideal for swimming and paddling. There is a boat launch, but no combustion-engines are allowed. Don’t miss a bike ride or stroll along the tree-shaded, paved Medical Lake Trail, along the lake’s west shoreline. Take a break at Duffy’s Point (you can also paddle here). Amenities: Waterfront Park, south end (free boat launch, swimming beach, playground, restrooms, outdoor shower); Coney Island Park, east shore (picnic tables); Peper Park, north end.

Moses Lake: This shallow 6,727-acre lake reservoir, 105 miles west of Spokane, is great for all watersports. An official Water Trail map from the city promotes paddling among 8 shoreline parks and points of interest. The lake’s outlet water trails, at an irrigation dam, connects to Potholes Reservoir and Potholes State Park. Amenities: WDFW sites; municipal boat launches at Blue Heron, Connelly, Montlake, and Peninsula Parks, and Cascade Park Campground; Camping at Grant County Fairgrounds, Big Sun Resort, Suncrest RV Park, Sunny Springs Resort & Campground (Ephrata).

Newman Lake: One of the largest lakes in Spokane County (1,200 acres), you’ll enjoy views of Mt. Spokane and the Selkirk Mountains as you paddle, fish, or boat. Most of the shoreline is privately owned. Amenities: WDFW, McKenzie Conservation Area; small private resorts.

North & South Skookum Lakes: Two small, primitive lakes at 3,500’ elevation in the Colville National Forest, near the small town of Usk. Amenities: South Skookum Campground.

Pacific Lake: Located north of Odessa, in Lincoln County, it’s only been since 2017 that’s this lake has again been able to hold enough water to support stocked trout from WDFW. Amenities: BLM boat launch.

Lake Gillette (left) // Photo: Amy McCaffree; Curlew Lake (right) // Photo courtesy Get Out Fest.

Potholes Reservoir: Located in central Washington’s desert landscape, the 25,000-acre Potholes Reservoir was created when the O’Sullivan Dam filled the Ice Age flood-carved “potholes.” Sand dune islands abound, some covered by shallow water. Popular for all watersports, the state park provides 6,000 feet of shoreline access, and this lake is also a Columbia Basin Wildlife Area unit. Two water trails on the east end connect to Moses Lake. Amenities: WDFW sites, Potholes State Park, Sand Dunes Site (primitive camping and boat access, Mar Don Resort.

Roosevelt Lake: This 130-mile long reservoir of the Columbia River, upriver from Grand Coulee Dam, is protected as a national recreation area. Altogether five agencies and the Spokane and Colville Tribes collectively manage the waters and shoreline, so be sure to consult a map and plan carefully before you go fishing or take your watercraft to any primitive, sandy beach. Major entry points and boat launches are Fort Spokane, near Davenport, at the confluence of the Spokane River; Bradbury Beach near the city of Kettle Falls; Spring Canyon near Grand Coulee; and Marcus Island boat launch and day use area north of Kettle Falls. Amenities: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (boat launches, campgrounds, boat-access only campsites, day-use areas, beaches); Private resorts with boat launches, including Sun Lakes Park and Two Rivers; houseboat rentals from Lake Roosevelt Adventures.

Sacheen Lake: Located in Pend Oreille County near Newport, most of the shoreline is private, but there is a public access site on the northeast shore. Stocked annually with hatchery trout, the small lake and its unique shape makes it great for fishing and paddling. Amenities: WDFW, Cedar Creek Resort, Old Sacheen Lake Resort Campground (house and cabin rentals).

Silver Lake: Located near I-90’s Four Lakes exit, this long, narrow lake is popular with paddlers and anglers. Amenities: WDFW launch with dock, Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center. 

Soap Lake: A quiet, natural mineral lake renowned for its “healing” effects, on windy days you’ll see soap bubbles on the shore. There’s no fish at this lake, but you can enjoy paddling and buoyant swimming. Be aware of sulfur-smelling mud. Amenities: Smokiam Park (city-owned campground), West Beach, and Paul Lauzier Community Park; resorts, spas, and inns, including Soap Lake Natural Spa and Resort. 

Sprague Lake: I-90 runs along this lake west of Spokane—you can’t miss it, at 6-miles long by 1-mile wide lake (1,760 acres). Best known for its good fishing prospects, 675 acres of the lake’s wetlands and shoreline is designated as part of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area. Amenities: WDFW, Columbia Basin Wildlife Area interpretative trail.

Sullivan Lake: Enjoy camping, paddling, fishing, hiking, and picking huckleberries at this iconic lake in the Colville National Forest, near the town of Metaline Falls. Amenities: FS campgrounds and day-use areas with boat launches and beaches: West Sullivan, East Sullivan, and Noisy Creek. 

Sun Lake: Located at the foot of Dry Falls, enjoy all your favorite watersports, including waterskiing and wakeboarding. Amenities: Sun Lake-Dry Falls State Park, Sun Lakes Park Resort.

Trout & Emerald Lakes: Rustic lakes in Hoodoo Canyon of the Kettle River Range in the Colville National Forest. Hike the Hoodoo Canyon Trail #17 to Emerald Lake Trail #94 (6 miles round-trip). Amenities: FS Trout Lake Campground.

Twin Lakes: On the Colville Indian Reservation, near the town of Inchelium, there are two lakes—North Twin and South Twin. Anglers need tribal fishing permits, available to purchase from local resorts. Amenities: Rainbow Beach Resort (North), Hartman’s Log Cabin Resort (South). 

Waitts Lake: A quiet 500-acre lake that’s ideal for fishing or paddling, located south of Chewelah. Amenities: WDFW, Silver Beach Resort, Winona Beach Resort, Waitts Lake Resort.

West Medical Lake: This small lake in east Spokane County attracts anglers, as well as white pelicans, herons, and other waterfowl. In fall 2018, Washington Fish & Wildlife started rehabilitation efforts, and more than 15,000 hatchery-raised trout were released in spring 2019. Amenities: WDFW (West Medical Lake Resort is no longer in business).

Williams Lake: Anglers and paddlers enjoy this small, spring-fed channeled scablands lake, stocked annually with rainbow and cutthroat trout. Amenities: WDFW, Klink’s Resort, Bunker’s Resort & Marina.

NORTH IDAHO

Idaho’s Panhandle, dominated by three of the state’s biggest lakes, is known for its lake culture. While much of the shoreline near cities and towns are developed and privately-owned, National Forest and BLM sites have protected public land for the enjoyment of all.

For complete details about boating access sites, launch permit fees, and fishing regulations, visit Idaho Fish & Game (IDFG), U.S. National Forest Service (FS), Kootenai County (KC), or other corresponding public land management agency.

Brush Lake: Located north of Bonners Ferry, this scenic destination is annually stocked with trout. Amenities: FS Brush Lake Picnic Area launch (electric motors only), dock, and campsites.

Chain Lakes of the Coeur d’Alene River: A series of small lakes interconnected by narrow channels, off the Coeur d’Alene River where it flows into Lake Coeur d’Alene near the town of Harrison. While some lakes are too shallow to navigate, larger ones like Blue Lake (no motor restrictions) and Killarney Lake are great for boating and paddling. Coeur d’Alene River Wildlife Management Area includes Thomas and Anderson Lakes as state birding trail areas, and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes travels along the river and is a popular biking trail. Amenities: Lake Killarney BLM boat launch (dock, campground); BLM boat launches at Thompson and Anderson Lake Outlets.  

Cocolalla Lake: This 800-acre lake, south of Sandpoint, was stocked this spring with over 9,000 rainbow trout. Amenities: IDFG boat launch and day use area. 

Chatcolet & Benewah Lakes: Accessible from Heyburn State Park near Plummer,or from the south end of Lake Coeur d’Alene, these two beautiful, serene lakes have no actual separating boundary. Amenities: Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, Heyburn State Park, Chatcolet boat launch and day-use area, Rocky Point Beach and Marina, and Plummer Point (dog-friendly beach).

Coeur d’Alene Lake: This 25-mile long mecca for lake-life is 31,000 acres with more than 15 boat launch locations (complete details at Lakecoeurdalene.com). Here are highlights you need to know.  

• City of Coeur d’Alene: The city’s downtown lakeshore hub serves locals as well as tourists. For upscale, visit the Coeur d’Alene Resort and Boardwalk Marina. For adventure, hike around Tubbs Hill and swim at one of its small, sandy beaches. For family fun, McEuen Park boasts the city’s largest playground, a splash pad, dog park, and the Centennial Trail goes through the park. Amenities: McEuen Park boat launch, City Park & Fort Sherman Playground, Independence Point.

• Sunspot at Yap-Keehn-Um Beach (aka NIC Beach): This large public beach at the edge of the North Idaho College (NIC) campus is accessible from Rosenberry Drive or the North Idaho Centennial Trail. Amenities: NIC’s Outdoor Pursuits boat house is open daily for watercraft rentals through Labor Day; reserve at (208) 769-3290; free campus parking (during summer, before fall term begins). 

• Harrison: Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway on the lake’s east side leads to this historic lake town that’s also a popular boating destination. Amenities: Harrison County Docks, city day-use park, beach, RV/tent camping park, Gateway Restaurant & Marina, Carlin Bay Resort, Harrison hotels and restaurants, FS Bell Bay Campground.

• Other notable amenities around the lake: Boat-access only campgrounds/mooring docks: Windy Bay and Mica Bay Boater Parks (BLM), Mowry Boat Park (Kootenai County); Marinas: Tobler (Black Rock), Conkling, Silver Beach, Sun-Up Bay.

Elsie Lake: Enjoy serene paddling and fishing at this sub-alpine lake near Kellogg. Amenities: No-fee gravel launch, beach, primitive campsites; no motorboats allowed. 

Fernan Lake: A 300-acre lake in Fernan Lake Village, near Coeur d’Alene, that’s great for paddling and fishing. The Idaho Panhandle National Forest borders its northern shoreline. Amenities: Fernan Park boat launch, dock, and marina.   

Granite & Kelso Lakes: Two small, forested, trout-stocked lakes north ofAthol, situated near each other off the same rural road. Kelso is a state birding site. Amenities: IDFG boat launch and docks (electric motors only).

Hauser Lake: Located north of Post Falls, enjoy the surrounding forest and mountain views. Amenities: Hauser Lake Park launch, swimming area.

Hayden Lake: Enjoy your favorite watersports and mountain views. Amenities: IDFG boat launch, Honeysuckle Beach, Hayden Lake Marina.

Lake Pend Oreille: Idaho’s largest and deepest lake (pronounced “Pond-uh-ray”) has several access points and destinations not to be missed. Here are the four main areas with amenities:

• Sandpoint: The biggest city along Lake Pend Oreille, City Beach is a popular main attraction and conveniently located off the main downtown district (marina, boat launch, lifeguarded swimming beach; no dogs allowed). Local watercraft and boat rentals are available from local gear shops, including Action Water Sports, Outdoor Experience, 49 Outfitters. Take a ride with Lake Pend Oreille Cruises across the lake. Camp at the FS Green Bay Campground south of town.

• Hope (northeast): FS Sam Owen Campground, Hope Marina, Beyond Hope Resort and Floating Restaurant, Pend Oreille Shores Resort, FS Whiskey Rock Bay Campground (near the town of Clark Fork).

• Farragut State Park (south end, near Athol): Boat launch, Beaver Bay Beach (day use), campgrounds.

• Bayview (town north of Farragut): Kootenai County boat launch, marinas, resorts.

McArthur Lake: Protected as a state wildlife management area (WMA), north of Sandpoint, there are three other lakes for public recreation within WMA boundaries. Amenities: IDFG launches at Lakes McArthur, Dawson, Bonner, and Freeman.

Mirror Lake: Near Sagle, this secluded 85-acre trout-stocked lake, nestled between two mountains, is where Dante’s Peak was partially filmed. Amenities: IDFG, private campground. 

Moose Creek Reservoir: Visitors with kayaks and fly-fishing float tubes will enjoy this small, forested reservoir lake east of Moscow. Heavily stocked with rainbow trout, it’s also a state birding trail area. Amenities: Moose Creek Park launch (no gas motors allowed), fishing docks, campground.

Moose Lake Fishing Pond: Located near Priest Lake’s Huckleberry Bay, private landowners allowpublic shoreline access at this small, trout-stocked fishing hole—a great destination for families with young children. Amenities: Shoreline pathways, picnic table, no boat launch.

Smith Lake: This small, family-friendly fishing lake close to Bonners Ferry is stocked annually with trout and catfish. Amenities: FS Smith Lake Campground.

Robinson Lake:Located north of Bonners Ferry, the unique shape for this lake’s 60 acres makes it nice for paddling. Amenities: Robinson Lake Campground.

Rose Lake: A forested, 371-acre lake near the town of Cataldo is popular for boating, waterskiing, paddling, and fishing. Amenities: IDFG boat launch, docks, and primitive campsites; Watsons Rose Lake Resort.

Round Lake: Enjoy relaxing water activities at this small, scenic, family-friendly, trout-stocked lake near Sagle, south of Sandpoint. Amenities: Round Lake State Park.  

Spirit Lake: Located north of Rathdrum, just west of the historic town of Spirit Lake, enjoy Selkirk Mountain views and restaurants, bars, and other amenities in town. Try an electric-assist bike at Fresh Air E-bikes in town and ride the Empire Trails mountain bike trails on the north side of the lake. Amenities: IDFG, Kootenai County boat launches—Maiden Rock (east) and Bronze Bay (west); Sedlmayers Campground & Resort, Silver Beach Resort.

Twin Lakes: North of Rathdrum, a narrow channel connects the upper and lower lake sections, providing over 800 acres for boating and fishing. Amenities: Kootenai County boat launches and docks.

Priest & Upper Priest Lakes: These lakes are legendary for their rustic beauty, wildlife, and huckleberry foraging prospects in the surrounding mountains. Priest Lake, 19 miles long, is flanked by national forest on its western shoreline, with views of the Selkirk Crest to the east, while the west side enjoys picture-perfect summer sunsets. Paddle or boat the no-wake Thoroughfare to Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area for day-use or overnight camping at primitive FS campgrounds. Amenities: West side has FS boat launches, day-use beaches, and campgrounds; 3 boat-accessible islands (camping and day-use), and day-use only Eightmile Island; Hill’s Resort and Elkin’s Resort. East side features Priest Lake State Park, with 3 campground units.

WESTERN MONTANA

Big lakes, big mountains—everything you’d expect from the Big Sky state to beckon lake lovers. 

Visit Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks or U.S. Forest Service websites for more details.

Blossom Lakes: Upper and Lower Blossom Lakes are a backcountry hiking destination (moderate difficulty) with primitive campsites. Trailhead is located at the top of Thompson Pass, a Idaho-Montana stateline. Though you start hiking in Idaho, the trail goes into Montana.

Heart & Pearl Lakes: These two alpine lakes in the Great Burn Wilderness of the Lolo National Forest, near Superior, make great destinations for day-hiking or backpacking. Amenities: FS Trout Creek Campground; primitive campsites around Heart Lake.

Loon Lake: Located near the town of Libby, enjoy paddling and fishing at thissmall, shallow, no-wake lake in the Kootenai National Forest. Amenities: FS Loon Lake Campground.

Flathead Lake: As the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, 28 miles long and 15 miles wide, you can do it all at this huge lake south of Whitefish. Amenities: Volunteer Park, Flathead State Park, Wild Horse Island State Park, resorts, fishing charters.

Mission Mountain Lakes: Between Missoula and Flathead Lake is the Mission Mountains Wilderness with backcountry lakes. Read about them in this archive story.

Whitefish Lake: A pristine, glacial, 7-mile long lake, with 16 miles of shoreline surrounded by mountains, you can experience both its wild and city scenes. Amenities: City Beach, Whitefish Lake State Park, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, Lady of the Lake boat cruise and tours.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Sometimes truly “getting away” means heading across the border into Canada. What awaits are clear blue lakes, stunning mountains, and (usually) a favorable exchange rate. Lakeside communities and numerous provincial parks provide adventure opportunities. 

Christina Lake: Enjoy every imaginable water sport activity on this long, forested lake. Amenities: Christina Lake Provincial Park, Christina Lake Marina, Gladstone (Texas Creek) Provincial Park, Christina Pines Campground. 

Kootenay Lake: One of the province’s largest lakes at 67 miles long and nearly 500’ deep, it’s nestled between the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges. The municipal hubs of Nelson, on the lake’s west arm, and Kaslo, a mountain village along the lake’s main section, offer plenty of lodging, dining, recreation, and cultural opportunities. Amenities: 5 provincial parks, Kokanee Park Marina, Kaslo Bay Park, Nelson City Campground, Kaslo Municipal Campground, and resorts. 

Okanagan Lake: Across the U.S. border north of Tonasket, Wash., this lake spans 84 miles, north to south, and boasts long sandy beaches. The surrounding area is divided into three sections: Kelowna, the major city located about midway on the lake; Lake Country; and West Kelowna & Peachland. Amenities: Public boat launches, 30+ beaches, 6 provincial parks with campgrounds, hiking and biking trails, wineries, and resorts.

Additional Resources

• Lake stories in the OTO archives.
• Guidebooks by Spokane-based Rich Landers:

[Feature photo: Rose Lake, Idaho.]

The post Inland Northwest Lake Guide for 2021 appeared first on Out There Venture.

This year Free Fishing Weekend is June 12-13. Anyone can participate and isn’t limited to Washington State residents. Anglers can access any lake, river, saltwater area, and other waterways in the state that’s open for fishing season.

People will also not be required to have a Vehicle Access Pass, which normally comes with a fishing license, nor a Discover Pass in order to access Washington State Park lands or Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife water access sites and boat launches. However, a Discover Pass will still be required in order to fish on public land and waterways managed by the federal Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Learn complete details for this event, including about the Two-Pole Endorsement, at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/free.

Around the Pacific and Inland Northwest, other Free Fishing Days this month include:

• Oregon, June 5-6
• Idaho, June 12, 2021
• Montana, June 19-20 (Father’s Day weekend)

To find more free fishing dates around the United States, visit takemefishing.org/how-to-fish/how-to-catch-fish/free-fishing-days/.

Photos: Derrick Knowles steelhead fishing on the Columbia River. // Photo: Jeff Holmes (top left); Spokane Riverkeeper Jerry White fly fishing on the Spokane River. // Photo: Derrick Knowles (top right); Urban fly fishing on the Spokane River. // Photo courtesy of Michael Visintainer (lower left); Black Crappie caught at Lake Spokane. // Photo: Randy Osborne; Fishing derby at Klink’s Resort on Williams Lake. // Photo courtesy Klink’s Resort.

[Feature photo by Randy Osborne, rainbow trout from Lake Spokane, near Tumtum.]

Visit the OTO archives for fishing stories with destination ideas and recommendations, fishing trips, and more.

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Eastern Washington and North Idaho include millions of acres of public lands. Most of us have seen only a small fraction of these lands and waterways. But even the exhaustive explorer can fall into the habit of experiencing public spaces through a singular lens: as a trail runner, for example, or a mountain biker or a bird watcher.

To broaden my own lens, I sought help from people I admire to describe how they love their public lands and waterways.  

1. Learn the story of the land. 

“Within the landscape is a really interesting story,” says Nigel Davies, geologist at Eastern Washington University. Places like Palisades Park and Escure Ranch are full of basalt, whereas the granite and igneous rock at Willow Lake and Beacon Hill show intrusions that occurred more than 40 million years ago. “No one public land holding can capture the complexity of a region or geologic story.” 

2. Learn who loved this land first. 

The Salish-speaking people who inhabited the upper Columbia River watershed before it was settled by European immigrants have much to teach us about the land we live on and its natural and human history. Today, the Upper Columbia United Tribes is working to reintroduce salmon in the upper Columbia River. Their efforts remind us what has been lost and what may be recovered with community support. 

Love your public lands and waterways: Columbia River (top left), Photo: Summer Hess // Mount Spokane State Park (top right), Photo: Holly Weiler // Upper Stevens Lake (bottom left), Photo: Chic Burge // Riverside State Park (middle), Photo: Hank Greer // Kettle Range (bottom right), Photo: Holly Weiler

3. Hunt or harvest. 

This spring I accompanied local falconer, Doug Pineo, into the Palouse to hunt upland birds. Not only was it fascinating to hold and see the falcons close-up, the experience gave me insight into the way hunters might feel when they go out on the land in the early morning to hunt game. All of my sensory capacity was engaged with the land, the wind, and the hidden heartbeats of the birds.  

4. Recreate somewhere new. 

From watching the sunset at Steptoe Butte to fishing the St. Joe, paddling the Winchester Wasteway, biking along the Trail of the Coeur d’ Alenes, hiking in Riverside State Park, cross-country skiing on Mount Spokane, bird watching at Turnbull, or picnicking at Liberty Park, there are as many ways to recreate in public lands as there are acres to enjoy.  

5. Sketch the landscape. 

As natural history illustrator, Julie Zickefoose, writes, “to draw is to see, is to understand. If you would know how something is built, draw it.” Local watercolor artist, Amalia Fisch, says, “When I paint, I notice the color yellow, the shadows in a tree, how the light hits leaves and how you can see through them. Drawing requires me to be fully present.”  

6. Love the plants. 

I love hiking with my botanist friend Amy because I am forced to stop speed-walking and talking, and slow down to marvel at wildflowers, trees, and shrubs. Of the many species she has introduced to me on our walks, my favorite has been the Dog Vomit Slime Mold (Fuligo spetica), which she found one day on the bluff.   

7. Get acquainted with wildlife. 

The Inland Northwest is home to an abundance of wildlife, including deer, moose, sage grouse, foxes, coyote, wolf, turkey, porcupine, bobcats, and trumpeter swans. Some (like turkeys) are easier to spot than others, but all can be found with a little patience and persistence.  

8. Steward your land. 

One of the most satisfying ways to give love back to public lands is to steward it. Todd Dunfield, Community Conservation Manager at the Inland NW Land Conservancy (INLC), finds his passion in trail work. “I love the practicality of working with my hands and seeing a lasting impact.” Stewardship can also include picking up trash on a hike, building mountain biking trails, cleaning up the river corridor, and planting trees.  

9. Protect land and water. 

Despite legal protections, our lands and waters are increasingly threatened by development, pollution and de-regulation. Jerry White, the Spokane Riverkeeper, has been at the forefront of battles over pollution in the river and has been holding regulators accountable for upholding the laws that protect land and water. “Our laws are only as strong as we are willing to enforce them,” he says. “Water protection requires constant vigilance.” 

10. Share with someone you love. 

When I asked Carol Corbin, Philanthropy Director at INLC, how she loves her public lands, she said she likes to learn things to share with her son. “I tell stories in any way I can about how amazing (and fragile) this place is. It’s been through massive transitions and is so beautiful. I feel lucky to live here.”  

So do I. 

The post 10 Ways to Love Your Public Lands & Waterways appeared first on Out There Venture.

1. Check with your destination before departing. While many state-managed land destinations are open for day-use, other local, tribal and federal land may still be closed. (This includes national parks and recreation areas, as well as national forests.)
2. Come prepared. Users may find reduced or limited restroom services as staff begin the process to reopen facilities at wildlife areas and water access sites. Users are advised to bring soap, water, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper, as well as a mask or facial covering to shield their noses and mouths.
3. When physical distancing is not feasible, including during retail transactions, masks or facial coverings are strongly recommended.
4. Avoid crowds. Be prepared to go somewhere else or come back another time if a destination looks crowded.
5. Practice social distancing trail etiquette. Give way to others on narrow trails to allow for ample social distancing.
6. Users should wash their hands often.
7. Pack out what you pack in. Take any garbage with you, including disposable gloves and masks.
8. Recreate locally and refrain from overnight stays.

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1. As a starting point, repeat Uncle Jerry’s idea back in succinct language. Get Uncle Jerry to form an actual premise that he believes, or you can’t ever argue against it. “So if I’m understanding you correctly, you read a meme on the internet that Jane Fonda is being paid by a secret ruling class of lizard overlords, so we can’t trust anything she says, ever. And because of that, she must be wrong about hot summers existing. Is that an accurate representation of what you’re saying?”

2. Use logic, or logos, the first in the Grecian rhetorical triad. Granted, few people use logic anymore, and even fewer use it accurately. Pro tip: If you really want to impress your uncle with your elitist, upstart ways, tell him he’s making logical fallacies. The ad hominem is a particularly easy one to spot. This means Uncle Jerry is saying unflattering things about Jane Fonda instead of actually addressing what Jane Fonda is saying. In this case, you can ask him: “So even if Jane is a sellout being paid by lizards, how does that make what she’s saying untrue?”

3. The second stop along our return to Grecian rhetoric is ethos. Ethos may involve using appropriate language and actually connecting with your audience to build credibility, rather than focusing on showing off your clearly superior intellect. However, you still need to convince Uncle Jerry that you’re qualified to discuss the topic. “Gosh dang it, Uncle Jerry. You know, I used to think exactly the same thing. But then I read through 437 field experiments done by nonpartisan peer-reviewed experts, and I made this handy chart for reference. See, it’s in red, white, and blue, for America.” 

4. Use pathos, or emotional appeal. We get the word “pathetic” from this, but pathos is not necessarily telling a pitiful sob story—it is connecting with human emotion of any kind. “Uncle Jerry, Jane Fonda is so old and frail. She has all kinds of health problems. I am not one to deny her the pleasure of revolt during her last days on earth.”

5. Put everything together and personalize it as much as possible. You may notice that politicians do this all the time. Of course, politicians may just skip logos and skate by on ethos and pathos—and not exactly in a good way. You, on the other hand, can use persuasive rhetorical tools more responsibly. “Consider this, Uncle Jerry. What if I were a lizard? Just because my skin color is different, and I was born on a different planet doesn’t mean I don’t deserve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Right? My inherent rights are no different than yours, really. Plus, I’m a proven expert on the motivations of lizard aliens and Jane Fonda, and have suffered greatly due to societal ostracizing for my chosen profession.” 

The post Five Ways to Win Political Debates This Christmas appeared first on Out There Venture.

On Nov. 20, from 6:30-9 p.m. at The Montvale Event Center in Spokane (1017 W 1^st Ave), Friends of the Bluff will present the third annual Bluff Talks. They’ve invited five people from the Spokane community to share their own unique stories – all in some way related to the High Drive Bluff Park — each in only 10 minutes or less.

“We started Bluff Talks three years ago as a way to bring people together in support of our park. I thought we’d give the format a try and have a little one-off neighborhood get-together,” said Marit Fischer, Friends of the Bluff board member and event organizer. “But it’s grown bigger than that. People love it and look forward to it each year. It’s a chance for us all to consider new facets of our park, to come together to protect our open space, and to connect with the Bluff and with each other. We’ll keep doing it as long as there are more stories to tell.”

This is an all-ages event with a suggested donation of $10 for individuals or $20 for families. There will be light snacks and a cash bar. All proceeds support Friends of the Bluff.

2019 Bluff Talks Speakers

Jerry White, Spokane Riverkeeper: The value, history and issues of Hangman Creek

Greg Gordon, Gonzaga University Associate Professor of Environmental Studies: The Urban Wild: Connecting to Wildness in the City

Paul Knowles, Spokane County Parks and Recreation Special Project Manager: Unlikely and Unpredictable: Landowners, their stories and their critical role in conserving some of Spokane County’s best places

Amy McCaffree, “Out There Kids” columnist and special section editor, Out There Venture: Dear Bluff — A mother’s letter of memories

Pat Keegan, President of Friends of the Bluff: The year in review

Friends of the Bluff, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is a collaboration of hikers, runners, mountain bikers, dog walkers, bird watchers, and nature lovers who volunteer to maintain Spokane’s High Drive Bluff Park, a 500-acre forest park on the western edge of the South Hill. The group organizes naturalist events, spearheads trail maintenance, promotes outdoor recreation, manages the forest, treats invasive weeds, and keeps our Bluff clean.

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Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 6:30-9 pm
Montvale Event Center (1017 W 1^st Ave, Spokane)

On Nov. 20, from 6:30-9 pm, at Montvale Event Center, Friends of the Bluff will present the third-annual Bluff Talks. We’ve invited five people from our Spokane community to share their own unique stories – all in some way related to the High Drive Bluff Park — each in only 10 minutes or less.

All ages event. Suggested donation: $10 for individuals, $20 for families. Light snacks. Cash bar.

All proceeds support Friends of the Bluff.

This year’s Bluff Talkers:

Jerry White, Spokane Riverkeeper
The value, history and issues of Hangman Creek

Greg Gordon, Gonzaga University Associate Professor of Environmental Studies
The Urban Wild: Connecting to Wildness in the City

Paul Knowles, Spokane County Parks and Recreation Special Project Manager
Unlikely and Unpredictable: Landowners, their stories and their critical role in conserving some of Spokane County’s best places

Amy McCaffree, “Out There Kids” columnist and special section editor, Out There Venture
Dear Bluff — A mother’s letter of memories

Pat Keegan, President of Friends of the Bluff
The year in review

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EASTERN WASHINGTON

From rustic channeled scabland lakes carved by Ice Age floods to backcountry gems surrounded by mixed-conifer forests, these lakes provide opportunity for high adventure and relaxing recreation. (For more amenity details, visit wdfw.wa.go for public boat launches and fishing/boating access sites; all require a WA State Discover Pass). 

Banks Lake: This 27,000-acre reservoir lake extends 27 miles between two community hubs, from Coulee City north to Electric City and Grand Coulee. Boaters, wake-boarders, and water-skiers have fun here, and anglers enjoy catching whitefish and walleye. Amenities:6 WDFW sites, Steamboat Rock State Park, Coulee City Community Park and Campground, Coulee Playland Resort (Electric City).

BearLake: Find this quiet, spring-fed lake 15 miles north of Spokane, near Chattaroy. Amenities:Bear Lake Regional Park.

Badger Lake: Expect good trout fishing and serene paddling. Amenities:WDFW boat ramp and dock.

Bead Lake: Located in the Colville National Forest, enjoy paddling and fishing for kokanee and trout. Amenities:FS boat launch. 

Big Meadow Lake: Loons and trout call this rustic lake home, and fishing prospects are “excellent” in July, according to WDFW. There is both a dock and boat launch at the campground.Amenities:FS Big Meadow Campground.

Bonnie Lake: A paddler’s haven located south of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, put-in your watercraft at the small, rustic boat launch by Rock Creek bridge. Private landowners allow launch access, so be respectful and Leave No Trace. Paddle upstream to find the long, narrow lake and its island (BLM land, open to the public). Amenities:None.

Clear Lake: Anglers, boaters, and water-skiers enjoy this 316-acre lake west of Spokane. Amenities:WDFW, Sun Cove Resort.

Deer Lake: Fed by springs and snowmelt, this lake has 1,150 acres for all watersports. Amenities:WDFW, Deer Lake Resort.

Diamond Lake: Expect good fishing at this 754-acre lake near Newport, which was recently stocked with more than 12,500 trout. Amenities:WDFW, Little Diamond Lake KOA, Thousand Trails RV Campground.

Eloika Lake:Nestled in the Selkirk Mountain foothills north of Spokane, paddlers can spot beavers and muskrats around this 3-mile long lake. Amenities:WDFW, Jerry’s Landing Resort.

Fish Lake: Enjoy this 32-acre rural lake, off the Cheney-Spokane Road, and its quaint county park, which includes a boat ramp (no gas motors), swimming beach, dock, and playgrounds. Nearby is the trailhead for the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park. Amenities:Fish Lake Regional County Park.

Fishtrap Lake: A remote 190-acre lake near Sprague, in Lincoln County, with 8,000+ acres of BLM public land along its west shoreline, which includes nearby Hog Canyon Lake. Amenities:WDFW launch sites, Fishtrap Recreation Area (no facilities or services), Fishtrap Lake Resort.

Horseshoe Lake:One of the best local paddling destinations, according to Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club members, this 128-acre lake in Pend Oreille County has a “no wake” rule. Amenities: WDFW.

Lake Spokane:Local paddlers, boaters, and bass anglers especially enjoy this 24-mile reservoir along the Spokane River, from Nine Mile Falls to Long Lake Dams. Though called Lake Spokane, some locals still refer to it as Long Lake (not be confused with Long Lake near Republic). Amenities:Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area and Lake Spokane Campground.

Little Pend Oreille Chain of Lakes: In the Colville National Forest is a chain of four small lakes interconnected by the Little Pend Oreille River. Starting from the north end, it includes lakes Leo, Heritage, Thomas and Gillette (connected by a small, navigable channel), and Sherry. Enjoy paddling, swimming, and fishing. Amenities:FS campgrounds, boat launches, and day-use areas at Lakes Leo and Gillette; FS campground only at Thomas; Beaver Lodge Resort & Campground at Gillette. 

Liberty Lake: An iconic lake close to the city, it’s popular with paddlers, boaters, and other users. Amenities:WDFW, launch with dock; Liberty Lake Regional Park (beach, campground, no boat launch, entrance fee required).

Loon Lake: Over 1,000 acres for boating, waterskiing, and fishing on this lake in Stevens County. Amenities:WDFW, Shore Acres Resort, Granite Point Park.

Long Lake: NearRepublic, in the Colville National Forest, this rustic 13-acre lake is regulated for anglers as fly-fishing only. Good for paddling; no motorized boats. Amenities: FS Long Lake Campground. 

Medical Lake:This spring-fed lake, with an average summer temperature of 74 degrees, is ideal for swimming and paddling. There is a boat launch, but no combustion-engines are allowed. Don’t miss a bike ride or stroll along the tree-shaded, paved Medical Lake Trail, along the lake’s west shoreline. Take a break at Duffy’s Point (you can also paddle here). Amenities:Waterfront Park, south end (free boat launch, swimming beach, playground, restrooms, outdoor shower); Coney Island Park, east shore (picnicking, wildlife viewing); Peper Park, north end (wildlife viewing).

Moses Lake: This shallow 6,727-acre lake reservoir, 105 miles west of Spokane, is great for all watersports. An official Water Trail map from the city promotes paddling among 8 shoreline parks and points of interest. The lake’s outlet water trails, at an irrigation dam, connects to Potholes Reservoir. Amenities:Two WDFW sites; municipal boat launches at Blue Heron, Connelly, Montlake, and Peninsula Parks, and Cascade Park Campground; Camping at Grant County Fairgrounds, Big Sun Resort, Suncrest RV Park, Sunny Springs Resort & Campground (Ephrata).

Newman Lake: One of the largest lakes in Spokane County (1,200 acres), you’ll enjoy views of Mt. Spokane and the Selkirk Mountains as you paddle, fish, or boat. Amenities:WDFW, McKenzie Conservation Area; several small resorts.

North & South Skookum Lakes:Two small, primitive lakes at 3,500’ elevation in the Colville National Forest, near the small town of Usk. Amenities:South Skookum Campground.

Pacific Lake:Located north of Odessa, in Lincoln County, this is only the second year, since the 1990s, that’s it’s been able to hold enough water again to support stocked trout from WDFW. Amenities: BLM boat launch access.

Potholes Reservoir: Located in central Washington’s desert landscape, the 25,000-acre Potholes Reservoir was created when the O’Sullivan Dam filled the Ice Age flood-carved “potholes.” Sand dune islands abound, some covered by shallow water. Popular for all watersports, the state park provides 6,000 feet of shoreline access, and this lake is also a Columbia Basin Wildlife Area unit. Two water trails on the east end connect to Moses Lake. Amenities:5 WDFW sites, Potholes State Park, Sand Dunes Site (primitive camping and boat access, Mar Don Resort.

Roosevelt Lake: This 130-mile long reservoir of the Columbia River, upriver from Grand Coulee Dam, is protected as a national recreation area. Altogether five agencies and the Spokane and Colville Tribes collectively manage the waters and shoreline, so be sure to consult a map and plan carefully before you go fishing or take your watercraft to any primitive, sandy beach. Amenities: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (boat launches, campgrounds, boat-access only campsites, day-use areas, beaches); Private resorts with boat launches, including Sun Lakes Park and Two Rivers; houseboat rentals from Lake Roosevelt Adventures.

Sacheen Lake: Located in Pend Oreille County near Newport, most of the shoreline is private, but there is a public access site on the northeast shore. Stocked annually with hatchery trout, the small lake and its unique shape makes it great for fishing and paddling.Amenities:WDFW, Cedar Creek Resort, Old Sacheen Lake Resort Campground (house and cabin rentals).

Silver Lake: Located near I-90’s Four Lakes exit, this long, narrow lake is popular with paddlers and anglers. Amenities:WDFW launch with dock, Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center. 

Soap Lake: A quiet, natural mineral lake renowned for its “healing” effects, on windy days you’ll see soap bubbles on the shore. There’s no fish at this lake, but you can enjoy paddling and buoyant swimming. Be aware of sulfur-smelling mud. Amenities: Smokiam Park (city-owned campground), West Beach, and Paul Lauzier Community Park; resorts, spas, and inns, including Soap Lake Natural Spa and Resort. 

Sprague Lake:You can’t miss this6-mile long by 1-mile wide lake (1,760 acres) along I-90, west of Spokane. Best known for its good fishing prospects, 675 acres of the lake’s wetlands and shoreline is designated as part of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area.Amenities:WDFW, Columbia Basin Wildlife Area interpretative trail.

Sullivan Lake: Enjoy camping, paddling, fishing, hiking, and picking huckleberries at this iconic lake in the Colville National Forest, near Metaline Falls. Amenities: FS campgrounds and day-use areas with boat launches and beaches: West Sullivan, East Sullivan, and Noisy Creek. 

Sun Lake: Located at the foot of Dry Falls, enjoy all your favorite watersports, including waterskiing and wakeboarding. Amenities:Sun Lake-Dry Falls State Park, Sun Lakes Park Resort.

Trout & Emerald Lakes:Rustic lakes in Hoodoo Canyon of the Kettle River Range. Hike the Hoodoo Canyon Trail #17 to Emerald Lake Trail #94 (6 miles round-trip). Amenities:FSTrout Lake Campground.

Twin Lakes:On the Colville Indian Reservation, near the town of Inchelium, there are two lakes—North Twin and South Twin. Anglers need tribal fishing permits, available to buy at the local resorts. Amenities:Rainbow Beach Resort (North), Hartman’s Log Cabin Resort (South). 

Waitts Lake:A quiet 500-acre lake that’s ideal for fishing or paddling, located south of Chewelah. Amenities: WDFW, Silver Beach Resort, Winona Beach Resort, Waitts Lake Resort.

West Medical Lake: This small lake in east Spokane County attracts anglers, as well as white pelicans, herons, and other waterfowl. In fall 2018, Washington Fish & Wildlife started rehabilitation efforts, and more than 15,000 hatchery-raised trout were released in spring 2019. Amenities:WDFW site (West Medical Lake Resort is no longer in business).

Williams Lake: Anglers and paddlers enjoy this small, spring-fed channeled scablands lake, stocked annually with rainbow and cutthroat trout. Amenities: WDFW,Klink’s Resort, Bunker’s Resort & Marina.

NORTH IDAHO

Lake culture is big in Idaho’s Panhandle, whether it’s boating on one of the vast, majestic lakes or fishing at small mountain destinations. For complete details about boating access sites and launch permit fees, visit Idaho Fish & Game at Idaho.idfg.gov; for Kootenai County, visit Kcgov.us.

Brush Lake:Located north of Bonners Ferry, this scenic destination was recently stocked with over 5,000 trout.Amenities:FS Brush Lake Picnic Area launch (electric motors only), dock, and campsites.

Chain Lakes of the Coeur d’Alene River: A series of small lakes interconnected by narrow channels, off the Coeur d’Alene River, near the historic lake town of Harrison. While some are too shallow to navigate, larger ones like Blue Lake (no motor restrictions) and Killarney Lake, which has Popcorn Island with a campsite and picnic site managed by BLM, are great for boating and paddling. Coeur d’Alene River Wildlife Management Area includes Thomas and Anderson Lakes as state birding trail areas, and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes travels along the river. Amenities:Lake Killarney BLM boat launch (dock, campground); BLM boat launches at Thompson and Anderson Lake Outlets.  

Cocolalla Lake: This 800-acre lake, south of Sandpoint, was stocked this spring with over 9,000 rainbow trout. Amenities:IDFG boat launch, docks—day-use only. 

Chatcolet & Benewah Lakes: Accessible from Heyburn State Park near Plummer,or from the south end of Lake Coeur d’Alene, these two beautiful, serene lakes have no actual separating boundary. Amenities:Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, Heyburn State Park—3 campgrounds, Chatcolet boat launch and day-use area, Rocky Point Beach and Marina, and Plummer Point (dog-friendly beach).

Coeur d’Alene Lake: This 25-mile long mecca for lake-life is 31,000 acres with more than 15 boat launch locations (complete details at Lakecoeurdalene.com). Here are highlights you need to know.  

• City of Coeur d’Alene: The city’s downtown lakeshore hub serves locals as well as tourists. For upscale, visit the Coeur d’Alene Resort and Boardwalk Marina. For adventure, hike around Tubbs Hill and swim at one of its small, sandy beaches. For family fun, McEuen Park boasts the city’s largest playground, a splash pad, dog park, and the Centennial Trail goes through the park. Amenities:McEuen Park boat launch, City Park & Fort Sherman Playground, Independence Point.

• NIC Beach: This large public beach at the edge of the North Idaho College campus is accessible from Rosenberry Drive or the North Idaho Centennial Trail. Amenities:NIC’s Outdoor Pursuits boat house is open daily for watercraft rentals, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., through Labor Day; reserve at (208) 769-3290); free campus parking. 

• Harrison: Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway on the lake’s east side leads to this historic lake town that’s also a popular boating destination. Amenities: Harrison County Docks, city day-use park, beach, RV/tent camping park, Gateway Restaurant & Marina, Carlin Bay Resort, Harrison hotels and restaurants, FSBell Bay Campground.

• Other notable amenities around the lake:Boat-access only campgrounds/mooring docks: Windy Bay and Mica Bay Boater Parks (BLM), Mowry Boat Park (Kootenai County); Marinas:Tobler (Black Rock), Conkling, Silver Beach, Sun-Up Bay.

Elsie Lake: Enjoy serene paddling and fishing at this sub-alpine lake near Kellogg. Amenities: No-fee gravel launch, beach, primitive campsites; no motorboats allowed. 

Fernan Lake: A 300-acre lake in Fernan Lake Village, near Coeur d’Alene, that’s great for paddling and fishing. The Idaho Panhandle National Forest borders its northern shoreline. Amenities:Fernan Park boat launch, dock, and marina.   

Granite & Kelso Lakes: Two small, forested, trout-stocked lakes north ofAthol, situated near each other off the same rural road. Kelso is a state birding site.Amenities: IDFG boat launch and docks (electric motors only).

Hauser Lake: Located north of Post Falls, enjoy the surrounding forest and mountain views. Amenities:Hauser Lake Park launch, swimming area.

Hayden Lake:Enjoy your favorite watersports and mountain views. Amenities:IDFG boat launch, Honeysuckle Beach, Hayden Lake Marina.

Lake Pend Oreille: Idaho’s largest and deepest lake (pronounced “Pond-uh-ray”) has several access points and destinations not to be missed.

• Sandpoint: The biggest city along Lake Pend Oreille, City Beach is a popular main attraction and conveniently located off the main downtown district (marina, boat launch, lifeguarded swimming beach; no dogs allowed). Local watercraft and boat rentals are available from local gear shops, including Action Water Sports, Outdoor Experience, 49 Outfitters. Take a ride with Lake Pend Oreille Cruises across the lake. Camp at the FS Green Bay Campground south of town.

• Hope (northeast): FS Sam Owen Campground, Hope Marina, Beyond Hope Resort and Floating Restaurant, Pend Oreille Shores Resort, FS Whiskey Rock Bay Campground (near the town of Clark Fork).

• Farragut State Park (south end, near Athol):Boat launch, Beaver Bay Beach, campgrounds.

• Bayview(north of Farragut): Kootenai County boat launch, marinas, resorts.

McArthur Lake: Protected as a state wildlife management area (WMA), north of Sandpoint, there are three other lakes for public recreation within WMA boundaries. Amenities:IDFG launches at Lakes McArthur, Dawson, Bonner, and Freeman.

Mirror Lake:Near Sagle, this secluded 85-acre trout-stocked lake, nestled between two mountains, is where Dante’s Peak was partially filmed. Amenities:IDFG, private campground. 

Moose Creek Reservoir: Visitors with kayaks and fly-fishing float tubes will enjoy this small, forested reservoir lake east of Moscow. Heavily stocked with rainbow trout, it’s also a state birding trail area. Amenities:Moose Creek Park launch (no gas motors allowed), fishing docks, campground.

Moose Lake Fishing Pond: Located near Priest Lake’s Huckleberry Bay, private landowners allowpublic shoreline access at this small, trout-stocked fishing hole—a great destination for families with young children.Amenities:Shoreline pathways, picnic table, no boat launch.

Smith Lake: This small, family-friendly fishing lake close to Bonners Ferry is stocked annually with trout and catfish. Amenities:FS Smith Lake Campground.

Robinson Lake:Located north of Bonners Ferry, the unique shape for this lake’s 60 acres makes it nice for paddling. Amenities: Robinson Lake Campground.

Rose Lake: A forested, 371-acre lake near Cataldo for boating, waterskiing, paddling, and fishing. Amenities:IDFG boat launch, docks, and primitive campsites; Watsons Rose Lake Resort.

Round Lake: Enjoy relaxing water activities at this small, scenic, family-friendly, trout-stocked lake near Sagle, south of Sandpoint. Amenities:Round Lake State Park.  

Spirit Lake: Located north of Rathdrum,just west of the historic town of Spirit Lake, enjoySelkirk Mountain views and restaurants, bars, and other amenities in town. Try an electric-assist bike at Fresh Air E-bikes in town and ride the Empire Trails mountain bike trails on the north side of the lake. Amenities: IDFG, Kootenai County boat launches—Maiden Rock (east) and Bronze Bay (west); Sedlmayers Campground & Resort, Silver Beach Resort.

Twin Lakes:North of Rathdrum, a narrow channel connects the upper and lower lake sections, providing over 800 acres for boating and fishing.Amenities:Kootenai County boat launches and docks.

Priest & Upper Priest Lakes: These lakes are legendary for their rustic beauty, wildlife, and huckleberry foraging prospects in the surrounding mountains. Priest Lake, 19 miles long, is flanked by national forest on its western shoreline, with views of the Selkirk Crest to the east, while the west side enjoys picture-perfect summer sunsets. Paddle or boat the no-wake Thoroughfare to Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area for day-use or overnight camping at primitive FS campgrounds. Amenities:West side has FS boat launches, day-use beaches, and campgrounds; 3 boat-accessible islands (camping and day-use), and day-use only Eightmile Island; Hill’s Resort and Elkin’s Resort. East side features Priest Lake State Park, with 3 campground units.

WESTERN MONTANA

Big lakes, big mountains—everything you’d expect from the Big Sky state to beckon lake lovers. 

Heart & Pearl Lakes:These two alpine lakes in the Great Burn Wilderness of  the Lolo National Forest, near Superior, make great destinations for day-hiking or backpacking. Amenities: FS Trout Creek Campground; primitive campsites around Heart Lake.

Loon Lake:Located near the town of Libby, enjoy paddling and fishing at thissmall, shallow, no-wake lake in the Kootenai National Forest. Amenities: FS Loon Lake Campground.

Flathead Lake: As the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, 28 miles long and 15 miles wide, you can do it all at this huge lake south of Whitefish. Amenities: Volunteer Park,Flathead State Park, Wild Horse Island State Park, resorts, fishing charters.

Whitefish Lake: A pristine, glacial, 7-mile long lake, with 16 miles of shoreline surrounded by mountains, you can experience both its wild and city scenes. Amenities:City Beach, Whitefish Lake State Park, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, Lady of the Lake boat cruise and tours.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Sometimes truly “getting away” means heading across the border into Canada. What awaits are clear blue lakes, stunning mountains, and (usually) a favorable exchange rate. Lakeside communities and numerous provincial parks provide adventure opportunities. 

Christina Lake: Enjoy every imaginable water sport activity on this long, forested lake. Amenities:Christina Lake Provincial Park, Christina Lake Marina, Gladstone (Texas Creek) Provincial Park, Christina Pines Campground. 

Kootenay Lake: One of the province’s largest lakes at 67 miles long and nearly 500’ deep, it’s nestled between the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges. The municipal hubs of Nelson, on the lake’s west arm, and Kaslo, a mountain village along the lake’s main section, offer plenty of lodging, dining, recreation, and cultural opportunities. Amenities:5 provincial parks, Kokanee Park Marina, Kaslo Bay Park, Nelson City Campground, Kaslo Municipal Campground, and resorts. 

Okanagan Lake: Across the U.S. border north of Tonasket, Wash., this lake spans 84 miles, north to south, and boasts long sandy beaches. The surrounding area is divided into three sections: Kelowna, the major city located about midway on the lake; Lake Country; and West Kelowna & Peachland. Amenities:Public boat launches, 30+ beaches, 6 provincial parks with campgrounds, hiking and biking trails, wineries, and resorts. //

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