Widgeon Lake

Wigeon Lake is located within the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge (CNWR) south of Potholes Reservoir. WDFW fishing regulations and licenses apply to all lakes within this federal refuge. Vehicle or walk-in access to these lakes is managed by the USFWS. WDFW recommends that anglers review access and other regulations on the CNWR website. Wigeon Lake is the most southern part of a larger group of small waters known as the Pillar-Wigeon Lake Chain. Anglers looking to fish Wigeon Lake are also advised to fish 2-4 of other nearby lakes to maximize catch.

Widgeon Lake was rehabilitated with the aquatic pesticide rotenone in 2014 to remove Pumpkinseed Sunfish and restore the popular trout fishery. Rainbow Trout fingerlings were stocked into the lake in 2015. These fish will grow to between 11-13 inches by the spring of 2016. Larger carryover trout begin to show in the following years.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Most of the shoreline is fishable.

Species you might catch

Rainbow trout

Lake information

County: Grant
Acreage: 6.90 ac.
Elevation: 941 ft.
Center: 46.938604, -119.225604
Open in Google Maps

View larger map

Fishing resources

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.