Chain Lake near Newport: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Chain Lake lies within the bounds of Pend Oreille County, Washington. The country round it is farm and woodlot from end to end. Roughly 83 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The town to know is Newport, 11 miles out. Deer Park is 14 miles and Priest River 16 miles. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Chain Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. County-wide records name rainbow trout, tench, cutthroat trout, pumpkinseed and brook trout. The county list is broader than any single water. Fish Chain Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 66°F; by January the average is down near 26°F. In milder years the surface never sets. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Chain Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Diamond Lake sits 4.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat access at Chain Lake as something to verify.