Fishing in Pend Oreille County, Washington
County seat: Newport. Population 13,401.
- 30lake pages
- 8launches
- 4river pages
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Pend Oreille County laid out lake by lake for anglers
With 13,401 residents at the 2020 Census, Pend Oreille County keeps its county offices in Newport. WDFW records the 2026 plantings for this county under WDFW Region 1. Anglers on Similkameen River (Whatcom County) fish a border water.
Biggest among 30 lake pages is Box Canyon Reservoir, and the set spans 15,129 acres. SWIFD lines put salmon or steelhead in Little Spokane River and Similkameen River (Whatcom County). The WDFW and State Parks layers map 8 boat launches in the county (8 WDFW). Shore anglers have 32 shore or access sites on WDFW maps, piers among them at 3.
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.
The paged lakes and reservoirs of Pend Oreille County
| Lake | Acres | Launches | WDFW program | Fish WDFW maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Canyon Reservoir | 9,317 | 0 | Warmwater emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout |
| Boundary Reservoir | 1,579 | 0 | Warmwater emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout |
| Sullivan Lake | 1,283 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee |
| Diamond Lake | 754 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass |
| Bead Lake | 718 | 0 | Trout emphasis | kokanee, burbot |
| Sacheen Lake | 310 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brook trout, tiger trout |
| Marshall Lake | 190 | 1 | Trout emphasis | largemouth bass |
| Davis Lake (Pend Oreille County) | 148 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass |
| Horseshoe Lake (Pend Oreille County) | 136 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass |
| Browns Lake | 87 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Big Meadow Lake | 83 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Chain Lake (Pend Oreille County) | 77 | 1 | NHD-mapped lake | |
| Fan Lake | 73 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass |
| Kings Lake | 55 | 0 | NHD-mapped lake | |
| Yocum Lake | 44 | 0 | Trout emphasis | |
| North Skookum Lake | 42 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brook trout |
| Lake Leo | 32 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brook trout, yellow perch |
| South Skookum Lake | 29 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Leadbetter Lake | 23 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brook trout |
| Nile Lake | 22 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brook trout, pumpkinseed |
| Crescent Lake (Pend Oreille County) | 20 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Mystic Lake | 19 | 0 | Trout emphasis | |
| Petit Lake | 18 | 0 | Trout emphasis | |
| Caldwell Lake | 17 | 0 | Trout emphasis | brook trout |
| Frater Lake | 14 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Halfmoon Lake (Pend Oreille County) | 13 | 0 | Trout emphasis | brook trout |
| Carls Lake | 8 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Cooks Lake | 7 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Little Lost Lake | 5 | 0 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Muskegon Lake | 5 | 0 | Trout emphasis |
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.
Species by number of waters close to Pend Oreille County
Bars count the lake and regional marine pages within 50 miles of Newport that list each fish in WDFW layers, records or trout plants; rainbow trout tops the count.
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.
Further WDFW-mapped lakes of Pend Oreille County
7 further lakes of Pend Oreille County, many of them high lakes, stay on this list until more is published.
| Water | Acres | WDFW program | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Lake | 56 | NHD-mapped lake | Newport |
| Parker Lake | 5 | Trout emphasis | Chewelah |
| Upper Lead King Lake | 4 | Trout emphasis | Colville |
| Conger Pond 2 | 4 | Trout emphasis | Chewelah |
| Conger Pond 1 | 4 | Trout emphasis | Chewelah |
| Crater Lake | 1 | Trout emphasis | Colville |
| Deception Lake | 1 | Trout emphasis | Colville |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers and USGS NHD lake outlines, retrieved October 31, 2026.
River guides that cross Pend Oreille County
- Little Spokane RiverSWIFD lists kokanee and steelhead trout, 2 USGS gauges, 52 mi in Washington
- Similkameen River (Whatcom County)SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 48 mi in Washington
- Pend Oreille River1 mapped launch, 4 USGS gauges, 72 mi in Washington
- Little Pend Oreille River35 mi in Washington
Smaller Pend Oreille County streams without a page (3)
- Lower West Branch Priest River8 mi in Washington
- Upper West Branch Priest River12 mi in Washington
- West Branch Little Spokane River19 mi in Washington
USGS discharge figures for Pend Oreille County streams
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Pend Oreille River Below Box Canyon Near Ione, Wa | 16,700 cfs, 87.98 ft gage height | Nov 12 9:00 pm |
| Pend Oreille River At International Boundary | 18,200 cfs | Nov 1 3:00 am Not updated since Nov 1, 2026. |
| Pend Oreille River At Cusick, Wa | 2,032.02 ft lake elevation | Nov 12 9:15 pm |
| Pend Oreille River At Ione, Wa | 2,031.06 ft lake elevation | Nov 12 8:30 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.
What WDFW planted across Pend Oreille County this year
Hatchery trucks made 6 stops in Pend Oreille County during 2026, leaving 19,834 fish in 5 waters.
- Diamond LakeRainbow, 15,000 fish at 3 per pound, April 17, 2026, Diamond Lk Np
- Diamond LakeRainbow, 184 fish at 0.33 per pound, April 17, 2026, Spokane Hatchery
- Cooks LakeRainbow, 250 fish at 0.33 per pound, April 1, 2026, Spokane Hatchery
- Frater LakeRainbow, 1,500 fish at 2.5 per pound, March 30, 2026, Spokane Hatchery
- Lake LeoRainbow, 2,200 fish at 2.4 per pound, March 26, 2026, Spokane Hatchery
- Big Meadow LakeRainbow, 700 fish at 2.4 per pound, March 26, 2026, Spokane Hatchery
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026; newest plants first.
Mapped water access throughout Pend Oreille County
- Davis Lake boat launch (east)Davis Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Diamond Lake boat launchDiamond Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Fan Lake boat launchFan Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Horseshoe Lake boat launch (east)Horseshoe Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, gravel surface, Discover Pass
- Marshall Lake boat launchMarshall Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, gravel surface, Discover Pass
- Ruby Ferry boat launch on Pend Oreille RiverPend Oreille River, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Sacheen Lake boat launchSacheen Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Chain Lake boat launch (east)Chain Lake, WDFW, 1 hand launch, Discover Pass
The layers flag 8 of these launches as needing a Discover Pass on the vehicle.
Shore sites and piers in Pend Oreille County (32)
- Bead Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing at boat launch
- Big Meadow Lake fishing piershore fishing site, Public dock, shore fishing along road, may be limited by veg
- Boundary Reservoirshore fishing site, shore fishing near boat launch
- Browns Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Good shore fishing near boat launch
- Caldwell Lake shore accesswater access area
- Carls Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing, may be limited by vegetation or terra
- Chain Lake shore access near Newportshore fishing site, shore fishing around primitive boat launch
- Conger Pond 2 shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing
- Cooks Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Multiple pullouts along road, excellent shore fishing
- Davis Lake shore accessshore fishing site, shore fishing near highway pullout, steep terrain, use cauti
- Davis Lake shore access near Cusickshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing at boat launch
- Deception Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Good shore fishing, 1/2 walk-in from road
- Diamond Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing near boat launch
- Fan Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Trail off of Fan Lake Rd offers shore fishing
- Frater Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing around lake, may be limited by vegetation or t
- Half Moon Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing at primitive boat launch
- Hatch Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing, winter fishery only, see regulations
- Horseshoe Lake shore access near Loon Lakeshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing near boat launch
- Kings Lake shore accessaccess point (no launch)
- Lake Leo shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing near Lake Leo Campground
- Little Lost Lake shore accessshore fishing site, shore fishing, limited by vegetation and terrain
- Marshall Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing at boat launch
- Muskegon Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing, limited by terrain
- Mystic Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing, walk-in from Forest Service Campground
- Nile Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing, limited by vegetation
- No Name Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing, walk-in from No Name Lake Campground
- Pend Oreille Riveraccess point (no launch)
- Power Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing along south shoreline, limited by terrain
- Sullivan Lake fishing piershore fishing site, Public dock, shore fishing
- Sullivan Lake fishing pier near Metaline Fallsshore fishing site, Public dock, shore fishing
- Sullivan Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing
- Yokum Lake on Yocum Lakeshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing at primitive boat launch
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.
Staying inside the limits in Pend Oreille County
Statewide freshwater limits hold across Pend Oreille County wherever WDFW prints no water-specific rule. For lakes and rivers the Freshwater license costs $39.95 with Washington residency, $115.85 without it. WDFW adds a catch record card for anyone keeping salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut.
| 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) |
Pend Oreille County waters printed with their own rules (55)
| Water and reach | Species | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Calispell Creek: from mouth to Calispell Lake | All species | WDFW and Kalispel tribal licenses required to fish Calispell Slough. (Year-round) |
| Calispell Creek: from mouth to Calispell Lake | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Year-round) |
| Pend Oreille River | All species | Two-Pole allowed. |
| Pend Oreille River | All species | CLOSED WATERS – all sloughs within the boundaries of the Kalispel reservation, except Calispell Slough. WDFW and Kalispel tribal licenses required to fish Calispell Slough. (Year-round) |
| Pend Oreille River | All game fish | Statewide lake rules apply. (Year-round) |
| Sullivan Creek And Tributaries | All species | Selective gear rules. |
| Sullivan Creek And Tributaries | Trout | Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Sullivan Creek And Tributaries | Other game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Big Meadow Lake | All species | Unlawful to use lead weights or lead jigs measuring 1 1/2” or less along the longest axis. |
| Big Meadow Lake | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31) |
| Browns Lake | All species | Fly fishing only. Motors prohibited. |
| Browns Lake | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31) |
| Caldwell Lake | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Eastern brook trout count as part of trout daily limit. (4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31) |
| Carl's Lake | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31) |
| Chain Lake | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release kokanee. (4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31) |
| Conger Pond | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31) |
| Crescent Lake | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31) |
| Fan Lake | All species | Internal combustion motors prohibited. |
| Fan Lake | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 31) |
| Frater Lake | All game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (4th Sat. in Apr.-Oct. 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 49 (pamphlet PDF), read on eRegulations October 31, 2026.
Record-book catches credited to Pend Oreille County water
| Species | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burbot | 17.37 lbs | Mike Campbell | Bead Lake | April 24, 2004 |
| Brown Trout | 22.00 lbs | R. L. Henry | Sullivan Lake | May 22, 1965 |
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026.
Where Pend Oreille County anglers restock
Pend Oreille County fly shops and bait counters
- Eagles Landing RV Resortmarina, Cusick
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide and charter listings (city of business); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Roads leading away from Pend Oreille County
Fishing town guides within Pend Oreille County
- Newportpop. 2,114
Adjoining county guides for Pend Oreille County
- Stevens County30 miles west
- Ferry County60 miles west
- Spokane County64 miles south
- Lincoln County86 miles southwest
Piscifun reels and line rigged for Pend Oreille County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
How to tell one Pend Oreille County fish from another, by photo
Photo: Yellowstone National Park, Public domain
Photo: Pengo, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: William Rosmus, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mike Cline, Public domain
Fishing inside Pend Oreille County: questions people bring
Where can a trailer back down to the water in Pend Oreille County?
There are 8 launches, split as 8 WDFW.
Which lake gives Pend Oreille County its most open water?
Box Canyon Reservoir, at 9,317 surface acres in the WDFW layer.
Which fish should a visitor to Pend Oreille County plan on?
Rainbow trout lead the count of water pages within 50 miles, followed by yellow perch, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed.
Which Pend Oreille County stores carry terminal tackle?
1 listings, such as Eagles Landing RV Resort.
How many guides list a Pend Oreille County address?
None list this county; see the guides page.
Which Washington town serves as seat of Pend Oreille County?
It is Newport.
What does WDFW charge to fish Pend Oreille County?
For lakes and rivers the Freshwater license costs $39.95 with Washington residency, $115.85 without it.
Which counties are a short drive from Pend Oreille County?
Try Stevens County, Ferry County and Spokane County.
Does the 2026-27 pamphlet list Special Rules for Pend Oreille County?
The 2026-27 pamphlet prints 55 Special Rule entries touching this county, starting with Calispell Creek; the table above shows the first ones.
Which WDFW records were set in Pend Oreille County?
Burbot, 17.37 lbs, from Bead Lake, Pend Oreille County (April 24, 2004).
Where are the stocked lakes in Pend Oreille County?
6 WDFW plants so far in 2026, 19,834 fish; the latest went into Diamond Lake on April 17, 2026.
Spend a morning on Pend Oreille County water
River pages list runs and USGS flow.