Ice Fishing Rainbow Trout & Yellow Perch
Curlew Lake is an ice-fishing destination for anglers excited to fish for rainbow trout and yellow perch. The lake’s Rainbow Trout are stocked yearly. The yellow perch, Introduced to the lake illegally around 2011, thrive in the lake despite efforts by Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) to control their numbers by placing no limit on their catch. That, combined with the perch’s willingness to bite in the winter, produces very generous catches of large yellow perch.
Where to Fish
Best fishing sites can be found the length of the lake, with many popular spots located near Curlew Lake State Park, north of Black Beach Resort, and near Tiffany’s Resort. Though anglers enjoy a fairly easy walk to fishing areas near the state park, it is a ambitious hike to the spots near the lake resorts. If you’re venturing any distance from the state park and lake ice is thick enough to support the weight, consider traveling to your site in an ATV, side-by-side, or snowmobile.
Learn more about ice-fishing Curlew Lake on the Fishing Magician website.
Access to Lake
In winter months, Curlew Lake is only accessible to the public via Curlew Lake State Park. Though the park is listed as closed in the winter months, due to the restrooms being closed for renovation, the public is still allowed to use the park as a launching point for ice fishing, sledding, and cross-country skiing. The park ranger reports that there is a sani can available at the boat launch. A Discover Pass is required, and the launch is free.
Some area resorts, such as Tiffany’s Resort, rent cabins to anglers who may then access the lake via the resort. Contact the resort directly to learn more.
Safety
Warning: Every year, the lake freezes over at different times of the year and to different thicknesses. Please check ice conditions with the lake’s ranger (via phone or U.S. mail), before traversing the lake when it is ice covered. WDFW asks that responsible anglers cut small holes, and mark them with flags. Beware: of dangerous, unmarked, oversized holes cut with chainsaws.
Ranger Ric Sanders
Curlew Lake State Park
62 State Park Rd.
Republic WA 99166
(509) 775-3592
Curlew Lake | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
For up-to-date boating and fishing rules visit Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fish Washington’s Ferry County Web page.
WDFW’s Ice Fishing Basics
