Fishing in Ferry County, Washington
County seat: Republic. Population 7,178.
- 13lake pages
- 3launches
- 5river pages
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Sizing up Ferry County before the drive out
Ferry County numbered 7,178 residents in 2020; its commissioners meet in Republic. The 2026 WDFW trout plants report files its plantings here under WDFW Region 1. Part of Columbia River and Similkameen River (Whatcom County) lies on the state line, where the border-water rule applies.
Lake Roosevelt leads the 13 paged lakes inside the county, which add up to 85,166 acres. Runs of salmon or steelhead show on WDFW maps for Columbia River, Spokane River, Sanpoil River and Similkameen River (Whatcom County). Count 3 boat launches across the county, split as 1 WDFW and 2 State Parks. Without a boat there are 10 shore or access sites on the WDFW map, and 3 include a pier.
Census 2020 population; WDFW Fish Washington lake layers, WDFW facilities and State Parks launch layers (WDFW GIS); WDFW marine areas; retrieved October 31, 2026.
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WDFW and State Parks launch layers, WDFW facilities, WDFW lake points, NHD river midpoints and WDFW marine area points. Checked November 2026.
Lowland and alpine lakes spread over Ferry County
| Lake | Acres | Launches | WDFW program | Fish WDFW maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Roosevelt | 83,988 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout |
| Curlew Lake | 861 | 2 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass |
| Crawfish Lake | 80 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brook trout |
| Lake Ellen | 76 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass |
| Swan Lake | 54 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Ferry Lake | 20 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Turner Lake | 18 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Long Lake (Okanogan County) | 16 | 1 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Davis Lake (Ferry County) | 15 | 0 | Trout emphasis | |
| Long Lake (Ferry County) | 13 | 0 | Trout emphasis | |
| Trout Lake (Ferry County) | 11 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Renner Lake | 8 | 0 | Trout emphasis | brown trout, brook trout |
| Fish Lake (Ferry County) | 6 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers (surface acres as published, management emphasis, mapped species); WDFW publishes no lake depths in these layers. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
The species tally for water around Ferry County
Each bar is a tally of waters inside 50 miles of Republic naming the fish, with rainbow trout first.
Species mapped in the WDFW Fish Washington layers, WDFW state records and the 2026 WDFW trout plants, counted per water page within 50 miles; not a survey.
The remaining named lakes in Ferry County
Ferry County carries 2 more named lakes, largest first.
| Water | Acres | WDFW program | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empire Lake 1 | 5 | Trout emphasis | Kettle Falls |
| Ward Lake Lower | 3 | Trout emphasis | Tonasket |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers and USGS NHD lake outlines, retrieved October 31, 2026.
Current-bearing water through Ferry County
- Columbia RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 8 WDFW shore or access sites, 6 USGS gauges, 728 mi in Washington
- Spokane RiverSWIFD lists kokanee and steelhead trout, 3 USGS gauges, 100 mi in Washington
- Sanpoil RiverSWIFD lists kokanee and steelhead trout, 1 USGS gauge, 72 mi in Washington
- Similkameen River (Whatcom County)SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 48 mi in Washington
- Kettle River1 mapped launch, 1 WDFW shore or access site, 2 USGS gauges, 64 mi in Washington
Other named streams in Ferry County (3)
- North Fork Sanpoil River9 mi in Washington
- South Fork Sanpoil River8 mi in Washington
- West Fork Sanpoil River25 mi in Washington
USGS stage and flow across Ferry County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Kettle River Near Laurier, Wa | 309 cfs, 2.83 ft gage height | Nov 12 9:15 pm |
| Kettle River Near Ferry, Wa | 166 cfs, 9.41 ft gage height | Nov 12 9:15 pm |
| Sanpoil River Above Jack Creek At Keller, Wa | 26 cfs, 2.16 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:45 pm |
| Hall Creek Above Inchelium, Wa | 7.60 ft gage height | Nov 12 9:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 9:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS NHD flowlines and Washington lengths, WDFW SWIFD salmon and steelhead distribution, WDFW and State Parks launches, USGS gauges; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Hatchery rainbows and cutthroat in Ferry County
WDFW logged 3 trout plants in Ferry County so far in 2026, 3,451 fish across 3 waters.
- Fish Lake (Ferry County)Rainbow, 450 fish at 2.5 per pound, April 3, 2026, Spokane Hatchery
- Ferry LakeRainbow, 2,001 fish at 2.5 per pound, April 3, 2026, Spokane Hatchery
- Lake EllenRainbow, 1,000 fish at 2.5 per pound, March 25, 2026, Spokane Hatchery
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026; newest plants first.
WDFW and State Parks ramps in Ferry County
- Curlew Lake boat launch (north)Curlew Lake, State Parks, Discover Pass
- Curlew Lake boat launch (south)Curlew Lake, State Parks, Discover Pass
- Kettle River boat launchKettle River, WDFW, 1 hand launch, Discover Pass
3 of the listed ramps sit on land where a Discover Pass is required for parking.
Ferry County shore fishing on WDFW maps (10)
- Orient on Kettle Riverwater access area
- Crescent Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Excellent shore fishing along north side of lake
- Curlew Lake fishing piershore fishing site, Fishing platform
- Curlew Lake fishing pier, Ferry Countyshore fishing site, Public dock, trails from boat launch offer shore fishing
- Curlew Lake shore accessaccess point (no launch)
- Ferry Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing at boat launch
- Lake Ellen fishing piershore fishing site, Public dock, limited shore fishing around boat launch
- Lake Ellen shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing at numerous pullouts along road
- Long Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing near Long Lake Campground
- Renner Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing around lake, 1/2 mile hike in from NF-
WDFW Facilities layer (boat launches, piers, shore sites) and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026. Lanes and per-launch fees are not published in these layers.
Washington statewide limits that apply in Ferry County
Every Ferry County lake or creek without a Special Rule uses these statewide rows. At 2026-27 WDFW prices, freshwater fishing runs $39.95 for a resident and $115.85 for an out-of-state angler 16 or older. Retained salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut go on a catch record card issued with the license.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only largemouth bass less than 12" may be retained, except 1 over 17" may be retained. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Largemouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only 1 smallmouth bass over 14" may be retained. Daily limit 10. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Walleye | Min. size 12" in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 8. Only 1 over 22" may be retained. May be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until daily limit is in possession. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Walleye | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Burbot (Freshwater Ling) | No min. size. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Crappie, Northern Pikeminnow, Peamouth Chub, Perch, Suckers, Sunfish, | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Grass Carp | Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules. | Closed |
| Kokanee | No min. size. Daily limit 10. When fishing with bait, all kokanee that are lawful to possess and are equal to or greater than the minimum size are counted as part of the daily limit whether kept or released. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Tiger Muskellunge (Tiger Muskie) | Min. size 50". Daily limit 1. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Whitefish | No min. size. Daily limit 15. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Steelhead | Release all wild steelhead. Min. size 20". Daily limit 2. Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed. | Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed |
| Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout | In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2. | Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23) |
Pamphlet Special Rules inside Ferry County (732)
| Water and reach | Species | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Kettle River: from Barstow Bridge upstream to U.S.- Canadian border | All species | Internal combustion motors prohibited. |
| Kettle River: from Barstow Bridge upstream to U.S.- Canadian border | All species | Selective gear rules. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Kettle River: from Barstow Bridge upstream to U.S.- Canadian border | Trout | Min. size 14”. Daily limit 2. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Kettle River: from Barstow Bridge upstream to U.S.- Canadian border | Whitefish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. Whitefish gear rules. Open for whitefish only. (Nov. 1-Last Day of Feb.) |
| Kettle River: from Barstow Bridge upstream to U.S.- Canadian border | Other game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Kettle River: from Barstow Bridge upstream to U.S.- Canadian border | Sturgeon | Closed. (Year-round) |
| Kettle River: from Canadian border upstream to Hwy. 21 Bridge at Curlew | All species | Internal combustion motors prohibited. |
| Kettle River: from Canadian border upstream to Hwy. 21 Bridge at Curlew | All species | Selective gear rules, except for juvenile anglers (under the age of 15). (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Kettle River: from Canadian border upstream to Hwy. 21 Bridge at Curlew | Trout | Min. size 14”. Daily limit 2. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Kettle River: from Canadian border upstream to Hwy. 21 Bridge at Curlew | Whitefish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. Whitefish gear rules. Open for whitefish only. (Nov. 1-Last Day of Feb.) |
| Kettle River: from Canadian border upstream to Hwy. 21 Bridge at Curlew | Other game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Kettle River: from Hwy. 21 Bridge at Curlew upstream to Canadian border | All species | Internal combustion motors prohibited. |
| Kettle River: from Hwy. 21 Bridge at Curlew upstream to Canadian border | All species | Selective gear rules. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Kettle River: from Hwy. 21 Bridge at Curlew upstream to Canadian border | Trout | Min. size 14”. Daily limit 2. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Kettle River: from Hwy. 21 Bridge at Curlew upstream to Canadian border | Whitefish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. Whitefish gear rules. Open for whitefish only. (Nov. 1-Last Day of Feb.) |
| Kettle River: from Hwy. 21 Bridge at Curlew upstream to Canadian border | Other game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Roosevelt Lake Tributaries: between Grand Coulee Dam and the Canadian border except tributaries listed elsewhere in Special Rules | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Roosevelt Lake Tributaries: between Grand Coulee Dam and the Canadian border except tributaries listed elsewhere in Special Rules | Sturgeon | Closed. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Sanpoil River: (Boundary A) from the western shoreline at the mouth of the Sanpoil Arm (as marked by regulatory buoy) directly eastward across the Sanpoil Arm t | Kokanee | No min. size. Daily limit 2. (June 1-Jan. 31) |
| Sanpoil River: (Boundary A) from the western shoreline at the mouth of the Sanpoil Arm (as marked by regulatory buoy) directly eastward across the Sanpoil Arm t | Trout | No min. size. Daily limit 5. Only adipose fin-clipped trout may be retained. (June 1-Jan. 31) |
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026. Special Rules as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), pamphlet page 67 (pamphlet PDF), read on eRegulations October 31, 2026.
WDFW record entries for Ferry County
| Species | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger Muskie (Northern Pike / Muskellunge hybrid) | 37.88 lbs | David Hickman | Curlew Lake | July 26, 2014 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 8.75 lbs | Ray Wonacott | Columbia River | April 23, 1966 |
| Blue Catfish | 17.75 lbs | Rangle Hawthorne | Columbia River | July 9, 1975 |
| Peamouth | 1.48 lbs | Michael Lane | Columbia River | May 10, 2026 |
| Kokanee (non-anadromous Sockeye Salmon) | 6.25 lbs | Clarence F. Rief | Lake Roosevelt | June 26, 2003 |
| American Shad | 3.85 lbs | Tom Magnuson | Columbia River | June 21, 2005 |
| Largescale Sucker | 8.96 lbs | Kimo Gabriel | Columbia River | March 21, 2026 |
| Lake Whitefish | 7.86 lbs | Gavin Boggs | Lake Roosevelt | Feb. 11, 2023 |
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026.
Gear and guided trips around Ferry County
Ferry County counters for tackle and bait
- Republic Sports Shopbait and tackle shop, Republic
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide and charter listings (city of business); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Close around Ferry County
Washington county pages surrounding Ferry County
- Stevens County32 miles east
- Okanogan County56 miles west
- Pend Oreille County60 miles east
- Lincoln County62 miles south
Piscifun gear a Cascades angler could bring to Ferry County
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How to tell one Ferry County fish from another, by photo
Photo: Yellowstone National Park, Public domain
Photo: Pengo, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: U.S. Department of the Interior, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: NPS Natural Resources, Public domain
Water in Ferry County, question by question
Can I launch a drift boat or sled in Ferry County?
Count 3 launches, run by 1 WDFW and 2 State Parks.
Which Ferry County lake comes first on surface acres?
Lake Roosevelt, at 83,988 surface acres in the WDFW layer.
What ends up in the cooler around Ferry County?
Rainbow trout lead the count of water pages within 50 miles, followed by brook trout, largemouth bass and yellow perch.
Where do Ferry County anglers buy bait and tackle?
Try Republic Sports Shop; the list holds 1.
Are any charter skippers based in Ferry County?
No charter listing names this county.
Which Washington town runs the business of Ferry County?
Republic hosts the county offices.
Which WDFW license does a Ferry County trip call for?
At 2026-27 WDFW prices, freshwater fishing runs $39.95 for a resident and $115.85 for an out-of-state angler 16 or older.
Which neighbouring county page should Ferry County anglers open next?
Closest by centre point: Stevens County, Okanogan County and Pend Oreille County.
Which Special Rules apply in Ferry County?
The 2026-27 pamphlet prints 732 Special Rule entries touching this county, starting with Kettle River; the table above shows the first ones.
What record weights trace to Ferry County?
Tiger Muskie (Northern Pike / Muskellunge hybrid), 37.88 lbs, from Curlew Lake, Ferry County (July 26, 2014).
Is there stocked trout water in Ferry County?
3 WDFW plants so far in 2026, 3,451 fish; the latest went into Fish Lake on April 3, 2026.
Plan two days of fishing in Ferry County
Lake pages list ramps, trout plants and WDFW species.