Overview
Lake Roosevelt is the Columbia River impoundment behind Grand Coulee Dam. It stretches more than 150 miles into Canada. WDFW names white sturgeon, rainbow trout, kokanee, walleye and smallmouth bass as its star attractions. The lake is managed cooperatively by WDFW, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
Best months: Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov — see April, May, June, September, October and November.
Species and seasons
| Species | Best months | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Before and after the April spawn; summer and fall | The spawn itself is harder; summer has a heat lull; winter is tougher but still fair in deeper water. |
| Kokanee | Typically April–October, best in spring | Fish move deeper as water warms; possible fall uptick near spawning tributaries. |
| Rainbow trout | Spring into June; again in fall | Mostly net-pen-reared triploid fish. |
| Smallmouth bass | Spring into the spawn; fall | Summer lull, with good dawn and dusk fishing. |
The rainbow fishery comes from cooperative net-pen projects at numerous locations, which WDFW says stock roughly 750,000 triploid catchable rainbows a year. Kokanee are best in spring, before they go deeper to avoid warming water. Through summer they can still be targeted offshore near the thermocline. Lake Roosevelt is also one of the waters where WDFW runs its annual fall walleye survey. See walleye, kokanee and trout.
White sturgeon have returned as a fishery thanks to hatchery programs on both sides of the border, but WDFW says the sturgeon fishery opens only by emergency rule and that the rules often vary by year. Treat it as a separate fishery. Burbot, lake whitefish and yellow perch are also caught. See sturgeon.
Methods
Guided trips here are boat trips. Walleye fishing focuses on the bottom: slow presentations, often with jigging or trolling, and deeper water in winter. Kokanee fishing usually means trolling at the depth where fish are holding, which changes as the lake warms. Our kokanee trolling page covers the basics. Trout can be trolled or cast, and some trips combine trout and kokanee on the same day.
Ask which species a trip focuses on and whether the operator switches species with the season. A spring kokanee and trout trip and a fall walleye trip can be very different days.
Regions and access
Scale: The lake has about 660 miles of shoreline, and the National Park Service runs 35 recreation areas along it as Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Because the lake is so long, the stretch a guide fishes matters. Listings in our directory mention areas such as the Spokane Arm, Kettle Falls and Coulee Dam.
Water levels: WDFW notes that water-level fluctuations can make boat launching a problem. Ask your guide where they launch at the time of year you plan to go.
Tribal waters: Parts of the shoreline border the Colville and Spokane reservations. The National Park Service advises anglers fishing from or next to reservation shoreline to contact the tribes about whether an additional license is needed. Check with the Colville Tribes Fish and Wildlife or the Spokane Tribe of Indians before you go.
Fish consumption: The Washington Department of Health has a mercury advisory for Lake Roosevelt walleye. See the DOH website for current guidance.
Check the rules before you go
Seasons, limits and closures change every year and by emergency rule. Check current WDFW rules at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations and emergency rules/closures at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/emergency-rules before you go.
WDFW points anglers to the current pamphlet for special trout and kokanee rules on Lake Roosevelt. For sturgeon, check WDFW’s Columbia River white sturgeon page and emergency rules. Tribal requirements are separate from WDFW rules, so check both.
Find a guide
Browse NE Washington and Spokane walleye guides, or switch the species filter to kokanee or trout. Compare which part of the lake each operator fishes and which species they focus on by season. More NE WA & Spokane guides.
Ask your guide for their WDFW guide license number before you book.
The National Park Service also lists authorized fishing charter services for the recreation area. Ask about it when you book.
Recent fishing reports
Check our fishing reports for more context. Keep typical timing separate from current conditions, lake levels and WDFW rules.
FAQ
When is Lake Roosevelt walleye fishing typically best? Before and after the April spawn, through summer apart from a heat lull, and again as fall water cools. Winter is tougher but can still be fair in deeper water.
When are kokanee typically best? In spring, before they move deeper. They can still be targeted offshore through summer.
Is this the same as the Columbia and Snake walleye fishery? No. Lake Roosevelt is above Grand Coulee Dam. Our Columbia and Snake page covers waters far downstream, such as Wallula and the Snake below Ice Harbor Dam.
Do I need a tribal permit? It depends on where you fish. Contact the Colville Tribes or the Spokane Tribe if you plan to fish from or next to reservation shoreline.
Related
Related fishery pages: Columbia and Snake River walleye and Yakima River trout. Browse all fisheries, spring fishing and fall fishing.