Downs Lake

The fishing season for this lake begins March 1st and continues through September 30th, Downs warms up earlier than other Spokane County lakes because it's located in the southwest corner of the county and has an average depth of less than 12 feet. With a mild winter, anglers can count on early fishing opportunity for yellow perch, largemouth bass, black crappie and other warmwater fish, along with stocked catchable-size rainbow trout. There is a resort with a small boat launch.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Shoreline access is limited to the resort propery and dock on the north end of the lake.

Downs Lake Resort on the north shore provides the only access to the lake.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Spokane
Acreage: 406.10 ac.
Elevation: 1961 ft.
Center: 47.279381, -117.808298
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: DOWNS LK (SPOK)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Feb 23, 2015	Rainbow	2,160	3	FORD HATCHERY
Mar 14, 2012	Rainbow	2,645	2.5	FORD HATCHERY
Mar 18, 2009	Tiger Trout	2,500	2.7	COLUMBIA BASIN HATCHERY

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Photos

Photo by WDFW