Fishing has resumed in most of the state following Gov. Jay Inslee’s adjustment to his Stay Home – Stay Healthy orders. Fishing has not opened up all the way on the Colville Indian Reservation, however, as the Colville Tribes is keeping it closed to non-members until May 29.
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The spring runoff from melting snow in Canada is now coming down the Columbia River, and Lake Roosevelt is beginning to refill.
Following the long 2016-17 winter, Lake Roosevelt has been kept at a low water level in anticipation of the large mountain runoff to come.
Currently, with the water level at an elevation of about 1,243 feet above sea level, the target for May 31 is for the lake to be no higher than 1,262, according to the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. The lake is completely full at 1,290 feet.
Flood control levels are determined by the Corps of Engineers, and are the major factor in water levels this time of year while the lake is operated as a large catch-basin to hold back snowmelt water that could otherwise cause flooding downstream.
The Colville Tribes had asked the Corps of Engineers to keep the water level above 1,232, the lowest operational level for the Gifford-Inchelium Ferry.
Although many boat launches on Lake Roosevelt are inoperable due to the low water levels, they are open at Spring Canyon, Keller Ferry, Seven Bays, Hunters Camp, and Kettle Falls. As the water rises, by the end of May, Crescent Bay, Hansen Harbor, Lincoln Mill, Fort Spokane, Gifford, Daisy, Bradbury Beach, and more boat launches should all be operational.
The Porcupine Bay launch is currently inaccessible because of a landslide earlier this year.
More information on current lake levels, and the minimum operable lake levels for many boat launches can be found at https://gcdvisitor.com/boat-launch-accessibility-on-lake-roosevelt/
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has produced another excellent, short video on fishing Lake Roosevelt, this on one shore fishing in the winter.
Filmed in January, the video includes several tips and how-to advice on fishing the lake, which is stocked with 750,000 rainbow trout a year.
Rather fish from your boat? Check out the latest boat ramp and lake level information.
The upcoming weekend’s Koulee Kids Fest offers a passport for fun that will keep parents and kids entertained for hours, plus offer a chance to win some really great prizes.
To participate this Saturday, June 14, kids pick up passports at the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center, Saturday Market or Coulee Hardware. All the information will be provided when they pick up their passport.
Kids and their parents take part in at least six featured events and show up at the Grand Gallery Theatre at 3 p.m. for the drawing for a Kindle Fire, an iPod and a lot more. Winners must be present and 12 or under to win.
And they can stay for a free magic show, starring Dick Frost, a 45-minute event billed to fascinate young and old alike.
At last count, venues for passport entries included:
• catching a fish at the huge tribal tank next to the museum;
• riding a paddle boat at Coulee Playland;
• stopping by the Coulee Cruizers’ Car Show and Shine event at North Dam Park to vote on your favorite car;
• buying a burger or hot dog at the Lions Club BBQ at North Dam Park;
• visiting the Visitor Center at Grand Coulee Dam, finding “Rosie” and coloring your favorite quilt blocks;
• playing disc golf at North Dam Park;
• geocache fun at Funzee’s in Grand Coulee;
• creating chalk art at the Skate Park;
• checking out the inside of a fire truck;
• getting free ice cream from the Coulee Creamery at North Dam Park between noon and 3 pm;
• slingshoting a stuffed pig at the Tropical Pig in Electric City;
• stopping by Saturday Market for a free cookie; and
• playing a round of mini-golf at Sunbanks Lake Resort in Electric City.
For more on the Koulee Kids Fest, see the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce’s website.
