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Washington · Fishing
Medical Lake, Washington sits in the channeled scablands west of Spokane, and the fishing here is almost entirely about small, productive lakes tucked into basalt terrain.
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Medical Lake, Washington sits in the channeled scablands west of Spokane, and the fishing here is almost entirely about small, productive lakes tucked into basalt terrain. The three waters showing up most in local fishing activity are Hedin Lake, Otter Lake, and Clear Lake — all lake fisheries, which tells you something useful right away: this is still-water fishing country, not river or stream country. Clear Lake gets the most consistent attention of the three, likely because of its size and accessibility, while Hedin and Otter tend to draw anglers looking for a quieter experience with less competition on the water. Expect to be targeting warmwater and coldwater species typical of eastern Washington lakes — rainbow trout are stocked in many of these waters by WDFW, and bass and perch show up in the warmer months depending on the lake. You don't need a boat to fish any of these, though one opens up more of the water. This is approachable fishing for most skill levels, and the short drives between lakes mean you can realistically try two or three spots in a single day if one isn't producing.
Clear Lake comes up most frequently among local anglers and is a reasonable first stop. Hedin Lake and Otter Lake are smaller and quieter, which can work in your favor on busy weekends when Clear Lake sees more pressure. If you have a full day, it's easy to hit more than one since they're all within a short drive of each other.
WDFW stocks rainbow trout in many eastern Washington lakes including waters in this area, so trout are a reasonable target especially in spring and fall. Warmwater species like bass and yellow perch are also present in some of these lakes during summer. Check the current WDFW regulations pamphlet for species-specific rules before you go, since stocking schedules and bag limits vary by water body.
Mica Bay Boater Park
~1h 8m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Beauty Creek Campground
~1h 23m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Clear Lake
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Coeur d'Alene Lake: Higgens Point
~1h 20m drive
Easy
Blue Creek Bay Recreation Site and Trail
~1h 24m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Bell Bay Campground
~1h 10m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Clear Lake
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Mineral Ridge Boat Launch
~1h 24m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Clear Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Otter Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Silver Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Hedin Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Spring and fall are the most productive seasons for trout in these lakes, when water temperatures are cooler and fish are actively feeding near the surface. Summer fishing slows for trout as lakes warm, but that's when bass and perch fishing picks up. Ice fishing is possible in winter during cold snaps, though ice conditions vary year to year.
Shore fishing is viable at all three lakes, and plenty of anglers do well without a boat. That said, a small kayak, canoe, or float tube opens up water that shore anglers can't reach and generally improves your odds, especially on Clear Lake where the fishable shoreline can get crowded on weekends.
A light to medium spinning rod in the 6 to 7 foot range covers most situations on these lakes. For trout, PowerBait, small spinners, and fly-and-bubble rigs all work well. If you're targeting bass in summer, bring a few soft plastics and a topwater option for early morning. A Washington state fishing license is required for anyone 15 and older — you can purchase one online through WDFW before your trip.
