Deer Lake (Stevens County)

WDFW is considering expanding the Mar. 1-Nov. 30 fishing season at Deer Lake to year-round. Go to WDFW's rule making page for more information and how to provide input on the proposal. WDFW on Jan. 16, 2024  hosted a virtual public meeting to gather public input on this proposal. It included a presentation, Q&A, and a time to submit input. The Deer Lake public meeting can be viewed at this link.  

Fourteen miles southeast of Chewelah, a couple miles east of Highway US-395. With a March 1 - November 30 season, Deer Lake's wide variety of species includes Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout, and Lake Trout. Brook Trout are stocked annually and count as part of the daily TROUT limit. 

A WDFW access provides public access with a boat launch, however, the launch is shallow (Deer Lake | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife).  Private resorts offer boat launching, camping, and other amenities.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Bad - Public shoreline access is limited to the WDFW access area.

WDFW water access areas on this lake

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Stevens
Acreage: 1146.40 ac.
Elevation: 2482 ft.
Center: 48.111757, -117.586634
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: DEER LK (STEV)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Mar 3, 2020 Rainbow 4,001 2.85 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 4, 2019 Rainbow 200 0.33 SPOKANE HATCHERY
May 11, 2018 Rainbow 6,535 2.5 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 14, 2018 Rainbow 12,500 0.25 DEER LK NET PENS
Apr 2, 2018 Rainbow 200 0.28 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Nov 30, 2017 Eastern Brook Trout 700 1 FORD HATCHERY
Nov 29, 2016 Eastern Brook Trout 500 1 FORD HATCHERY
Apr 14, 2016 Rainbow 207 0.33 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 5, 2016 Rainbow 492 0.57 TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
Mar 28, 2016 Rainbow 200 0.47 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Visit the Catchable Trout Plants page for a more detailed search of trout plants in other bodies of water. To view and download the source data for this table visit the WDFW Fish Plants dataset on data.wa.gov.

Fishing prospects calendar

Rainbow trout

Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide, but they can be caught year-round in most waters with a little patience and persistence. Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.
Chart showing fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Kokanee

The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Largemouth bass

Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Smallmouth bass

Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Yellow perch

Yellow Perch can be caught year-round. Fishing is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. Catch begins to decline in the fall as water temperatures cool and fish move offshore forcing anglers to pursue them in boats. Successful fishing for Yellow Perch in the winter involves either targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Black crappie

Fishing improves throughout the Spring, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull, while Fall sees an improvement as waters cool, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. During winter, the bite is slower, but anglers can have great success fishing through the ice when conditions are safe.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish are ubiquitous in most lowland lakes and readily caught year-round. Fishing is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season to catch Pumpkinseed, but persistent anglers can find nice-sized schools offshore.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Brown bullhead

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Yellow bullhead

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Photos
Deer Lake
Photo by WDFW