Spokane

Expect to find lots of rainbow trout when fishing the turnouts downstream of Tumtum, as well as smallmouth bass, black crappie, and yellow perch. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) also encourages northern pike harvest. In Lake Spokane (aka Long Lake), year-round statewide rules apply.

Because of contaminants and to protect redband trout, the Spokane River from Nine Mile Dam to Idaho is now one section with one set of regulations. There are selective gear rules, no bait, barbless hooks, and you can keep two hatchery rainbow trout per day; everything else is catch and release.

Washington and Idaho’s Department of Health recommend checking fish advisories. In some areas it may mean limiting certain types of fish eaten or not eating fish at all.

Coeur d’Alene

Fernan Lake, near Coeur d’Alene, is open for fishing all year. You can find bluegill/pumpkinseed/sunfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass (in shallow, warm water April-May, moving out to deeper water in summer), catfish, yellow perch, rainbow and brook trout, and white crappie.

Sandpoint

Look for largemouth bass, catfish, white crappie, yellow perch as well as rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and brown trout at Cocolalla Lake. Round Lake has bluegill/pumpkinseed/sunfish, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass, brook and rainbow trout. Unique to Shepherd Lake is tiger muskie, but you’ll also find largemouth bass, bluegill/pumpkinseed/sunfish, and yellow perch.

For all three lakes there are bag limits and restrictions for certain species.

Originally published as “Fish Found Near Your Front Door” in the May-June 2021 issue as a sidebar for “Fishing Close to Home” feature story.

[Feature photo courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – rainbow trout.]

Read more fishing stories in the OTO archives.

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Now that my kids are getting older, they are more willing to take a break from waterplay to explore park trails. And when we’re camping, it’s nice to take a morning hike (or paddle) and then head to the campground beach or dock when the sun is higher in the sky.

Also, older kids and teens need independent experiences, like venturing along a trail solo or with a friend. Nature inspires soul-searching, and anytime our kids can get more screen-free serenity and exercise, the better.

These are eight of our favorite regional lake parks that offer great hiking and swimming options for hot summer days. Please note that most parks prohibit dogs on the beach, so it’s best to leave your furry kid at home.

NORTH IDAHO

City Beach & Pend d’ Oreille Bay Trail (Sandpoint): Walk the flat 3-mile trail, out and back, which follows the shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille. City Beach has it all, with plenty of lakefront sand.

Farragut State Park (Athol): Beaver Bay Beach requires a steep downhill jaunt from the parking lot and restrooms, but once you arrive there’s plenty of lakefront, calm water, and trails to explore in the forest all around the bay. Trails are also accessible right from the parking lot.

Round Lake State Park (Sagle): An easy trail loops around the lake and the beach has two docks, paddle gear rentals, and a PFD loaner station.

Tubbs Hill (Coeur d’Alene): Hike the trail, which can be a bit rocky and rugged for little kids, but you don’t need to go far to find a small sandy beach spot for private playtime. Hike in with all of your stuff, but you’ll need to hike back to the trailhead to use a porta-potty. (Restroom available at nearby McEuen Park.) Other nearby swim settings are Sanders Beach or City Beach.

WASHINGTON

Bear Lake Regional Park (Chattaroy): Hike the trail around the lake. Trees and grass hug the shoreline, so there isn’t a beach—rather, there are cement steps down to the water, which starts at a depth of about three feet. However, there are some spaces between trees to access the water.

Fish Lake & Columbia Plateau Trail State Park (Cheney): Walk the paved trail and enjoy the calm lake, popular with locals for fishing, paddling, and beach play for kids. Park at Fish Lake Park and then walk up to the state park trailhead.

Liberty Lake Regional Park (Liberty Lake): The park has miles of trails to choose from and the day-use beach—though a smaller lakefront compared to other parks—has great sand, a dock and roped-off swim area, and plenty of lake for paddling. Spokane County Parks daily fee required.

Waterfront Park (Medical Lake): A popular park with a main parking lot that fills quickly, but the layout is sweet and lake water is spring-fed, so relatively warmer than larger lakes. Walk the paved Medical Lake Trail along the west shore.

This story was published in the Inland NW Family Outdoors Guide in the May-June 2021 issue.

For more swimming stories, visit the OTO archives.

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SPOKANE COUNTY 

Fish Lake: The rustic park has a compact waterfront swimming beach and small dock, but it is a great lake for paddling or fishing. There’s a small boat launch for non-motorized watercraft (electric motors or paddling only), and the park includes playgrounds and bathroom facility (be aware that the facility receives limited maintenance). Bring a picnic blanket or camp chairs since there are no picnic tables. Nearby is a trailhead for the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park. 

Liberty Lake: A beach and playground are the highlights at Liberty Lake Regional Park (daily entrance fee required). A boat launch and dock are located at the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife access site (Discover Pass required). 

Medical Lake: Waterfront Park has expansive, grassy grounds that make it easy to physically distance from other household groups. There’s also a wide swimming beach and areas to launch a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Enjoy a bike ride or stroll along the tree-shaded, paved Medical Lake Trail on the west shoreline. On the east shore of the lake is Coney Island Park for picnicking and wildlife viewing, and the north end has Peper Park.   

Lake Spokane: Access this 24-mile reservoir along the Spokane River, located between Nine Mile Falls and Long Lake Dam, from Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area or Lake Spokane campground. 

Lake Coeur d’Alene: swimming near City Park (left), sailing at NIC beach, and stand-up paddling near Tubbs Hill. // Photo: Amy McCaffree (left and upper right); Shallan Knowles (lower right).

NORTH IDAHO 

Chatcolet Lake: Heyburn State Park’s Chatcolet Day Use area has a boat launch, small primitive access sites for wading and swimming, a playground, picnic shelters, and trailhead for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Within the state park property, you’ll also find Plummer Point (dog friendly beach), Rocky Point Beach and Marina, and three campgrounds. 

Lake Chatcolet at Heyburn State Park. // Photos: Amy McCaffree

Coeur d’Alene Lake: There are three main access sites in the downtown core of the city of Coeur d’Alene. (1) Tubbs Hill: This city park natural area has a popular 2.2-mile loop hiking trail around the peninsula along with spur trails to access small, sandy primitive beaches. Nearby is McEuen Park, which includes a huge playground, splash pad, dog park, and boat launch. (2) City Park: Kids can enjoy the swimming beach, dig in the rocky sand, and play at Fort Sherman Playground. Picnic on the grass and bike or walk the North Idaho Centennial Trail. (3) Sunsport at Yap-Keehn-Um Beach: Also located along the Centennial Trail is a public beach at the edge of the North Idaho College campus (locals refer to it as “NIC Beach”). You can park on campus (free) or drive here via Rosenberry Drive, with limited street parking. NIC’s Outdoor Pursuits boat house rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and sailboats. Call ahead to confirm availability (208-769-3290).  

Hayden Lake: Honeysuckle Beach in the city of Hayden has a large swimming beach, dock, and boat launch.  

Pend Oreille Lake: There are two main public access sites for day use on the lake’s west side. (1) Sandpoint’s City Beach has a large swimming beach and playground. (2) Towards the lake’s south end, Farragut State Park’s Beaver Bay Beach provides a calm swimming area. 

Round Lake: Enjoy the beach, fishing dock, trail around the lake, and flatwater for paddling at Round Lake State Park—located near Sagle, south of Sandpoint.  

Q’emiln Park: Located in Post Falls along the Spokane River, it’s not on a lake, but the park is spacious with a great swimming beach (day parking fee required). It only opens, however, after Avista closes the nearby downstream dam, which usually happens by mid-July. You can also hike or mountain bike on trails in the nearby Community Forest.

Amy McCaffree is special section editor and Out There Kids columnist. Her favorite summer recreation activities are stand-up paddling, kayaking, camping, and swimming with her husband and their two kids.

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