Cow Lake in Adams County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Look for Cow Lake in the Adams County part of Washington. The surroundings are farm and woodlot. The water covers some 199 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. It ranks high for size among our Adams County listings. Ritzville sits 10 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Davenport follows at 37 miles, then Cheney at 37 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Cow Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Survey and observation records for Adams County include largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Cow Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 29°F to 70°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Cow Lake rarely departs from it. Long daylight spreads the feeding across more hours.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Hallin Lake is 1.1 miles off. Check the position at Cow Lake before loading the car.