Ice Lake in Lincoln County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Ice Lake belongs to Lincoln County, Washington. The surface lies 2,405 feet up. A splashy cast here empties the swim; a quiet one owns it. Most waters listed here for Lincoln County are larger. For supplies, Davenport is 17 miles out. Coulee Dam follows at 28 miles, then Grand Coulee at 28 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Ice Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Lincoln County list yellow perch, largemouth bass, walleye, black crappie and brown trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Ice Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 68°F; by January the average is down near 25°F. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Time your trip to Ice Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Dunning Lake sits 0.4 miles off and takes the overflow. For Ice Lake in particular, ask before you travel.