Ice Fishing Areas

• Newport RD

  Truly the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger Districts are found in the most northeastern portion of Washington State with Canada as their northern boundary. Reaching from the Three Rivers Ranger District Boundary, it encompasses two of the highest peaks in eastern Washington. Abercrombie, the second highest is found west of the Pend Oreille Valley. After crossing the Pend Oreille Valley the Districts then climb to the highest peak in eastern Washington, Salmo Peak, found in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness  Following the ridge south, rather than the State line, the District goes all the way down to the city of Newport.
  
  The Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger District prides itself its outdoor opportunities. The southern portion is frequented by off highway vehicles, while the north is visited more by those who enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and water recreation. Home to the largest mammals in the state, the Newport-Sullivan Ranger Districts are the home to Grizzly bears, Black bears, cougars, bobcats, moose, elk, wolves, and mountain sheep.

• Bead Lake

  This is a relatively large lake in a mountainous setting of well timbered hills. The water is of extreme clarity. The west side of the lake is predominately residential. Often used for fishing, hiking, canoeing, and boating. There is a boat launch on the lake Forest Service Road #3200412 and access to a 6.8 Mile moderate hiking trail on Forest Service Road #3215. The boat launch has a day use fee.

  • Bead Lake Boat Launch
  • Bead Lake Trail #127
• Bead Lake Boat Launch
• Sullivan Lake RD

  Truly the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger Districts are found in the most northeastern portion of Washington State with Canada as their northern boundary. Reaching from the Three Rivers Ranger District boundary, it encompasses two of the highest peaks in eastern Washington. Abercrombie, the second highest is found west of the Pend Oreille Valley. After crossing the Pend Oreille Valley the Districts then climb to the highest peak in eastern Washington, Salmo Peak, found in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness  Following the ridge south, rather than the State line, the District goes all the way down to the city of Newport.
  
  The Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger District prides itself its outdoor opportunities. The southern portion is frequented by off highway vehicles, while the north is visited more by those who enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and water recreation. Home to the largest mammals in the state, the Newport-Sullivan Ranger Districts are the home to Grizzly bears, Black bears, cougars, bobcats, moose, elk, wolves, and mountain sheep.

• Sullivan Lake

  

   

  Sullivan Lake is 1290.7 acre, 312’ deep luminous lake with breathtaking views and world class recreational opportunities. This lake is a popular recreation lake nestled in the mountains of the northwest Washington. In addition to fishing for trout, salmon and turbot, visitors come to the lake for camping canoeing, swimming, SCUBA diving and hiking along the trail on the east side of the lake. Other attractions include ice fishing for burbot/ling cod and bighorn sheep viewing during the winter months.

  History: In the Metaline District, a gold strike on the Sullivan Creek occurred in 1859 which brought prospectors flocking into the region, including Michael R.O. Sullivan for whom Sullivan Creek and Sullivan Lake were named.

• East Sullivan Campground

  This campground is located on the north end of beautiful Sullivan Lake and offers many recreational opportunities. Campsites are suitable for both tent and RV camping.

• Three Rivers RD

  The Three Rivers Ranger District offers unique opportunities to its visitors. It is situated between the Kettle Mountains to the West, down to the Columbia River and then back up into the Selkirk Mountain Range on the East.
  
  The Three Rivers Ranger District has the most disability accessible sites in the Forest. Wheelchair accessible trails, hunting blinds, campsites and docks welcome people from all backgrounds. Scenic drives offer breathtaking views from the Sherman Trail over the Kettle Mountain Range to Aspen Groves dotting the Little Pend Orielle Lakes area. On the southeast OHV enthusiasts are greeted with a large assortment of trails to choose from.  With the largest groomed cross country ski area in the Colville National Forest, visitors can enjoy a warming hut while gliding through the trees around Frater Lake.

• Davis Lake

  Davis Lake is a 17 acre, 4,550' elevation, rustic lake and is the perfect lake to enjoy during your day of fishing and recreation. This lake has private camping and easy fishing access.  

  History: According to Northeast Washington Trails, Tri County Economic Development District, “Roll Davis and his family homesteaded on Deadman Creek in 1903. In 1905 Davis found this lake which bears his name. The Forest Service provided fish to stock the lake and the fish were carried there in cream cans by Davis’s pack horse. Davis helped build a school for his children and logged."

• Frater Lake

  Frater Lake is an 11 acre, 15’ deep lake, known for excellent summer and winter Sno-Park recreation opportunities.
  
  History:
  Frater Lake was named after an early trapper in the area while nearby Lake Leo was name for the son of Claude Sanders, and early surveyor.
  
  The warming cabin was built by Forest Service employees and a Senior Citizen Supplemental Employment Program (SCSEP) crew.

• Frater Lake Trailhead / Sno-Park
• Gillette Lake

  Gillette Lake is a 48 acre, 87' deep lake with recreation opportunities the whole family can enjoy.

• Lake Thomas

  

   

  Lake Thomas is 163 acre 55’ deep, picturesque chain of Little Pend Oreille lakes system. Excellent summer recreation and nearby winter Sno-Park. Fed by Heritage Lake and drains slowly to Gillette Lake via a narrow channel. Visitors can camp along the shoreline and canoe right off of the campsite. This lake has mixed ownership of both private and federal lands.

• Pierre Lake

  

   

  Pierre Lake is a 105 acre 75’ deep lake that is perfect for the family outing. This is a year-round open season lake that has largemouth bass, black crappie, bullhead catfish, an occasional kokanee, and several kinds of trout are available.  Pierre Lake allows motorized and non- motorized boating, and has a boat ramp.  Very nice lake to canoe or kayak.  Also has a day use area, and is a great lake to swim in during the summer. 

  Pierre Lake Campground

  Pierre Lake Trail #91

  History: A mile long lake with average width of one quarter mile in Colville National Forest northeast of Orient on Toulou Creek in northwest Stevens County was named for Peter Arcasa. Mr. Arcasa also known as Peter Pierre was born at Colville on March 18, 1851 the son of a Hudson's Bay Company employee. The writers of the history of Northern Washington say of Mr. Arcasa that he was "... one of the wealthy stockmen of Stevens county and has passed a remarkable incident and activity in various portions of the United States." ("Peter Ascasa" History of Northern Washington, 1904.) 

  In the early 1930’s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) took on construction projects, cleared forests, built houses, roads, and bridges throughout large chunks of government owned land in Steven’s county. One of 19 CCC camps were established in northeast Washington, including Pierre Lake (Bohm & Holstine 1983 114.)

• Tonasket Ranger District

  Tonasket Ranger District's 415,000 acre landscape covers five distinct blocks, or areas, across the eastern half of Okanogan County in North Central Washington; bordered on the north by Canada and the southwest by The Colville Indian Reservation.  The largest contiguous block is west of the Okanogan River.  It includes the northeast corner of the Pasayten Wilderness and shares a boundary with the Methow Valley Ranger District.  The Buckhorn, Mount Hull, Bonaparte and Aeneas blocks make up the east side of the District. 

  Grass and shrubs dot the lower elevations, climbing to beautiful ponderosa pine forests at mid-elevations, then Douglas-fir/western larch, and the subalpine and alpine forest at elevations above 6,000 feet. 

  More than 180 miles of trail are maintained for hikers, horseback riders and motorized recreationists.  There are several developed campgrounds as well as a lot of opportunity for dispersed recreation.

  With fairly long travel distances from major northwest population centers, the District is considered a bit of a well kept secret by those who make the journey.  Whether it is June when the colorfull hillsides of Horseshoe Basin are a riot of color with wildflowers in bloom or in January when the glittering snow at Highlands snow park sparkles in the sunshine, the National Forest lands managed by Tonasket Ranger District offer a chance to stop, take a deep breath and feast on the Natures Glory.

   

• Bonaparte Lake

  *ALERT* (5/2/2023) Bonaparte Lake Road (Tonasket WA.) is impassable and closed at Mile Post 2.1 due to the road being washed out. 
  To gain access to Bonaparte Lake Road, use Chesaw Road to the NF-3200 road, east end of Beaver Lake.

  Bonaparte Lake is a 151.70 acre lake found at 3,556 feet in Okanogan County. A very scenic lake located near Tonasket that provides a diverse year round fishery.  A USFS campground and private resort has camping, cabins, and boat launching facilities. Bonaparte is also a popular winter ice fishing lake.  Expect kokanee in the 10-12 inch range along with triploid eastern brook trout, tiger trout, and the occasional lake trout.  The state record tiger trout was captured in 2015.  Anglers are encouraged to remove as many smallmouth bass as the daily limit provides in order to decrease their competition effects on the trout species.

• Lost Lake

  Popular for spring fishing with good shoreline access, and a popular camping area. The campground was developed in the 1930s and 40s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The old Guard Station at the entrance was built in 1941 which adds to the character of the campground. Lost Lake hosts a pair of Common Loons and Canada geese. There are 18 campsites, (14 single sites, and 4 doubles) with picnic tables and fire rings.

• Lost Lake Campground
• Lyman Lake

  Located off of Aeneas Valley road, this lake has camping at Lyman Lake Dispersed Camping area, boating, and fishing. No water or garbage service. Please pack out garbage. 

• Lyman Lake Dispersed Camping
• Sugarloaf Lake

  Small lake just north of Conconully Lake and located adjacent to the Sugarloaf Campground, in the Sinlehekin Valley.

• Sugarloaf Campground
• Summit Lake (Okanogan County)