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.