Fishing Little Falls Dam to Lake Roosevelt Confluence

Sport fishing here includes rainbow trout, kokanee, walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass. The entire river right shoreline of this reach is part of the Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation and users are subject to Spokane Tribal fees and rules.

Species: Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass

Launches: Porcupine Bay and Fort Spokane boat launches are part of the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area and users are subject to National Park Service fees and rules.

Rapids and Riffles: Powerboats navigating upstream toward Little Falls Dam should use caution since they may experience shallow water and submerged rock hazards where the current picks up and water levels fluctuate.

Regulations: The entire river right shoreline of this reach is part of the Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation and users are subject to Spokane Tribal fees and rules. Season is open year-round. Kokanee – No minimum size, daily limit 6 (no more than 2 with intact adipose fins) Trout – No minimum size, daily limit 5 (only adipose fin-clipped trout may be retained). Walleye – No size restriction, daily limit 16. Other game fish – Statewide minimum size and daily limits apply. Salmon – Counts toward trout daily limit. No catch record card required. Sturgeon – Closed.

Fish Advisory: Before consuming fish, consult the Washington Department of Health’s Fish Advisory.

Fishing: This section is a popular walleye fishing destination, especially in the spring. Anglers should check the WDFW walleye regulations to confirm when the season opens and closes.

Fishing Plese Flats to Little Falls Dam

This 39.4 mile reach includes Lake Spokane and has something to offer anglers of all kinds.

Species:
Plese Flats to Long Lake Dam: Mostly located in Lake Spokane: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass

Long Lake Dam to Little Falls Dam: Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon

Launch Information:
From Plese Flats to Nine Mile Dam: The take-out near Nine Mile Dam is informal with hardly any parking.  Next available parking is approximately a mile away (Centennial Trail parking lot.)  Watercraft users should use extreme caution since this is the last take-out before Nine Mile Dam, which is not far away.

Lake Spokane: The river is shallow at the Riverside State Park (Lake Spokane) launch. Caution, water fluctuations can expose or hide hazards such as stumps, making launch inoperable. The Nine Mile Resort and DNR launches, which are located on opposite ends of the lake, are particularly good for powerboats. But the Nine Mile Resort launch can become inoperable during low water conditions.

From below Long Lake Dam to Little Falls Dam: The only public access site is Long Lake Dam. Not available for motor access, approximately 30-yard walk for those carrying watercraft. All watercraft must put-in and take-out at the same access point.

Rapids and Riffles:
From Plese Flats to Nine Mile Dam: This is a calm river section with an easy flowing current.

Lake Spokane: Caution, the upper portion of this section consists of shallow, moving water. Water fluctuations can expose or hide hazards such as stumps.

From below Long Lake Dam to Little Falls Dam: Although this is mostly a reservoir environment, operations at Long Lake Dam and Little Falls Dam can create strong currents and drastic, unannounced water level fluctuations.

Regulations:
From Upper Boundary of Plese Flats Day Use Area to Nine Mile Dam: Motors prohibited. All species – selective gear rules. Trout (Sat before Memorial Day – March 15) – No minimum size, daily limit 2. Release all trout other than hatchery rainbow trout. Other game fish (Sat before Memorial Day – March 15) – Catch and release.

Lake Spokane: Season open year-round. All game fish – Statewide min size/daily limit. Salmon – Landlocked Salmon rules.

From below Long Lake Dam to Little Falls Dam: Season open year-round. River right below Chimakum Creek is the Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation, tribal regulations apply.  Salmon – landlocked salmon rules. All game fish – Statewide minimum size and daily limit. Sturgeon – Closed.

Fish Advisory: Before consuming fish, consult the Washington Department of Health’s Fish Advisory.

Fishing:
From Upper Boundary of Plese Flats Day Use Area to Nine Mile Dam: 8,000-9,000 hatchery triploid trout are stocked annually in this section.

From Nine Mile Dam to Lake Spokane: This riverine section is a popular trout angling destination.

Lake Spokane: Good fishery for black crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch.  Caution to ice anglers, water level fluctuations can create extremely hazardous air vacuums below the ice.

Fishing Water Street to Plese Flats

Sport fishing here includes rainbow trout, brown trout, and whitefish. Water Street to TJ Meenach includes a number of Class II rapids. At TJ Meenach Bridge, river right, all boaters without Class III+ rapid experience should exit the river. The area below the Monroe St. Dam is popular among fly-fishers.

Species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Whitefish

Launch Information: At TJ Meenach Bridge, anyone who lacks the necessary experience or equipment to navigate advanced whitewater should exit the river to avoid the hazardous rapids that occur downstream from the Water Reclamation Facility.

Rapids and Riffles: Water Street to TJ Meenach includes a number of Class II rapids. At TJ Meenach Bridge, river right, all boaters without Class III+ rapid experience should exit the river. Rapids begin downstream from the Water Reclamation Facility.

Regulations:
From Monroe St. to Upper Boundary of Plese Flats Day Use Area: Motors prohibited. All species – Selective gear rules. Trout (Sat before Memorial Day – Mar 15) – No minimum size, daily limit 2. Release all trout other than hatchery rainbow trout. Other game fish (Sat before Memorial Day – Mar 15) – Catch and release.

Fish Advisory: Before consuming fish, consult the Washington Department of Health’s Fish Advisory.

Fishing and Seasons:
From Monroe St. Dam to Upper Boundary of Plese Flats Day Use Area: Popular area for fly-fishing.  Many anglers utilize the area around the Water Reclamation Facility, especially during fall.

Fishing Upriver Dam to University District

Sport fishing here includes rainbow trout, brown trout, and whitefish.  Motors are prohibited in this entire section. A couple riffles exist between Upriver Dam and Greene Street. Shoreline access and a 5,000-6,000 trout hatchery make this a popular fly-fishing destination.

Species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Whitefish

Launch Information: The SIRTI access point, located river left near the condominiums at Riverpoint Village, is the last take-out in this section. No watercraft of any kind are allowed below Division St.  Use caution in higher flows since this is the last take-out and you are not far from the falls near Riverfront Park.

Rapids and Riffles: Motors are prohibited in this entire section. A couple of riffles exist between Upriver Dam and Greene Street.  Watercraft may have difficulty navigating these shallow, riffle areas during low flows.

Regulations: All species – Selective gear rules. Trout (Sat before Memorial Day – Mar 15) – No minimum size, daily limit 2. Release all trout other than hatchery rainbow trout. Other game fish (Sat before Memorial Day – Mar 15) – Catch and release.

Fish Advisory: Before consuming fish, consult the Washington Department of Health’s Fish Advisory.

Fishing: Fair amount of shoreline access for anglers.  Fly-fishers frequent the area below Upriver Dam.  5,000-6,000 hatchery triploid trout are stocked annually in this section.

Fishing Stateline to Upriver Dam

Sport fishing here includes rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. The reach between Sullivan Road and Plante’s Ferry is popular with anglers, especially during summer.

Species: Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass

Launch Information: The launches within this reach provide sufficient access until mid-summer when flows and water levels become too low. Drift boats using this section HAVE to take out at Harvard Road since no other trailer retrieve sites are available on the river until below Nine Mile Dam.

Rapids and Riffles: During low flows, multiple shallow riffle areas may be difficult to navigate and users may encounter larger boulder-type substrate as well. Barker Road to Mirabeau (4.5 miles) is for boaters experienced with class II rapids. From Mirabeau to Upriver Dam, reservoir type conditions exist, except for Coyote Rock, a class II rapid located just below the Plante’s Ferry access site.

Regulations: No motors allowed in this section except for the portion between Plante’s Ferry and Park Road. All species – Selective gear rules. Trout (Sat before Memorial Day – Mar 15) – No minimum size, daily limit 2. Release all trout other than hatchery rainbow trout. Other game fish (Sat before Memorial Day – Mar 15) – Catch and release.

Fish Advisory: Before consuming fish, consult the Washington Department of Health’s Fish Advisory.

Fishing: The reach between Sullivan Road and Plante’s Ferry is popular with anglers, especially during summer when flows are low.

Fishing Corbin Park to Stateline

Sport fishing here includes brown trout, redband trout, and smallmouth bass. The Idaho section of the river is 4 miles long and includes minor Class I rapids much of the way.

Species: Brown Trout, Redband Trout, Smallmouth Bass

Launch Information: Drift boats putting in at Corbin Park should be aware that the only take-out is Harvard Road, located 7.5 miles downstream.

Rapids and Riffles: The Idaho section of the river (4 miles) includes minor Class I rapids much of the way. Boaters, who are inexperienced with strong currents, should wait until spring runoff is complete and/or the gates at Post Falls Dam have closed.

Fish Advisory: Before consuming fish, consult the Washington Department of Health’s Fish Advisory.

Regulations: Trout limit is 2. Largemouth and smallmouth bass limit is 6 (both species combined.) Chinook salmon limit is 2, none under 20 in.

Paddling Plese Flats to Little Falls Dam

This 39.4 mile stretch of river includes Lake Spokane and offers a number of scenic flat-water paddles. River goers should note that three dams—Nine Mile, Long Lake, and Little Falls—break up this section. As such, plan your access points for entry and exit accordingly.  While this reach does not include rapids, flow levels can fluctuate dramatically based on season and operations at the dams.

Plese Flats to Nine Mile Dam is a 5-mile flat-water stretch. Less experienced paddlers can enjoy this section in the summer, but should wait until spring runoff is complete. Exit the river at the Nine Mile Dam access site on river left before the Nine Mile Dam.

Below Nine Mile Dam is Lake Spokane, a 28-mile flat-water paddle. The access points here provide good opportunities to put-in and tour around in your kayak or canoe. Paddlers should be aware that this lake has motorboat traffic.  Also when strong winds kick up, it can make for very difficult paddling in open areas. Paddlers looking to head downstream should note that once they pass Nine Mile Resort, it’s 10.37 miles to the Highway 291 access point. Once you pass the Highway 291 access point, it’s another 5.22 miles to Lake Spokane Campground, the last take-out before Long Lake Dam.

From Long Lake Dam to Little Falls Dam paddlers can enjoy a scenic, undeveloped stretch of the river. River right below Chimakum Creek is the Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation. After putting in at the Long Lake Dam access site, which is just below the dam, there is no take out point on this 4.35 mile reach to Little Falls Dam. As such, paddlers must put-in and take out at the same access point. The difficulty of paddling upstream varies significantly based on water releases from Long Lake Dam.

Paddling Corbin Park to Stateline

Running the Idaho section of the river (4 miles) includes minor Class I rapids much of the way and features two park and plays spots for advanced kayakers. Less experienced paddlers can enjoy this section in the summer, but should wait until spring runoff is complete and/or the gates at Post Falls Dam have closed.

There are two major rapids: Corbin Wave (15,000+ cfs) at the upstream point of Corbin Park and Trailer Park Wave (3,500- 7,500 cfs) further upstream. These park and play spots are popular amongst the region’s leading paddling enthusiasts.

Paddling Little Falls Dam to Lake Roosevelt

Beginning below Little Falls Dam, this is a broad, lake-like section of the river that sees heavy motorized boat traffic.  At Porcupine Bay paddlers can put-in and tour up or downstream.  The next access point is Fort Spokane, which is 9.4 miles downstream. Paddlers should stay near the banks to avoid boat traffic as well as occasionally strong winds. Pit toilets are available at boat-in only camp areas. The entire river right shoreline of this reach is part of the Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation.

Paddling Stateline to Upriver Dam

From flat-water paddles to feature park and play spots, this seventeen-mile reach offers something for everyone, so make sure you find the section that’s right for you. Also note that flows here vary depending on the Post Falls Dam. Beginning in late June, the gates on the dam close and the water level drops dramatically. By late July, flows can go below 600 cfs. At levels between 4,000 and 19,000 cfs, paddlers can enjoy a great run of Class I and II rapids. For each section, less experienced river goers should wait until the spring runoff is complete.

Stateline to Harvard Road (3.5 miles) and Harvard Road to Barker Road (2 miles) are well suited for less experienced paddlers comfortable with Class I rapids. The reach also features, Dead Dog Hole, a popular whitewater park and play spot located at the Stateline access site. This rapid can be avoided by staying river left at the put-in. Less experienced paddlers can enjoy this section in the summer, but should wait until spring runoff is complete and/or the gates at Post Falls Dam have closed. For paddlers not experienced with Class II rapids, exit at Barker Road.

Barker Road to Mirabeau (4.5 miles) is for more experienced paddlers, with a number of Class II rapids and whitewater play features including Mini Climax Wave, Sullivan Hole, and Zoo Wave. The core whitewater section of class IIs spans from Barker Road to Sullivan Road. By late July, reduced river flows expose a number of rocks, making sit-on top kayaks a more practical option for river goers. At high flows be wary of whirlpools just below the take-out at Mirabeau on river left.

From Mirabeau to Plante’s Ferry (1 mile) paddlers can enjoy a relaxing flat-water ride with a few minor rapids. Just below Plantes’ Ferry, is Coyote Rock, a class II rapid that be can avoided by portaging river right.

Plante’s Ferry to Boulder Beach (4.5 miles) is a flat-water experience, with the exception of Coyote Rock, a class II rapid. The final take out point is at Boulder Beach, with Upriver Dam located 1.5 miles downstream. This river section is a great place for less experience paddlers. The calm water allows travelers to circle back upstream as they like. Paddlers should be aware that there are occasional motorboats on this section.