Fishing at McDowell Lake, Stevens County, Washington

• Overview

  McDowell Lake lies within the bounds of Stevens County, Washington. It sits at 2,326 feet above sea level. The water covers some 47 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The edge runs 1.4 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Size puts it in the front rank of our Stevens County list. Colville sits 12 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Further out sit Chewelah (13 miles) and Kettle Falls (20 miles). There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on McDowell Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Stevens County records list brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, yellow perch and largemouth bass among the fish reported. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Fish McDowell Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 65°F, the coldest about 24°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Once it clears, about mid March, the fishing comes on quickly. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid March and starts locking again about early December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. McDowell Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Winslow Lake sits 0.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat McDowell Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.