Fishing Turtle Lake in Stevens County, Washington

• Overview

  Turtle Lake belongs to Stevens County, Washington. The bank gives way to pine and birch. At roughly 9 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Davenport is the closest town at 20 miles. For a city, Spokane is 34 miles off. Water in the same corner: McCoy Lake roughly 8.5 miles, Little Chamokane Creek 9.5 miles, Carp Lake roughly 10 miles, Newbill Lake 11 miles and Mudgett Lake roughly 11 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Turtle Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Reported across Stevens County: brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and yellow perch. The county list is broader than any single water. On Turtle Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 24°F in January up to 65°F in August. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid March. Ice usually gives way near mid March, and forms again about early December. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Time your trip to Turtle Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. McCoy Lake at 8.5 miles is the sensible second choice. For Turtle Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.