Some of the early season lakes that are now open in the Columbia Basin are quality lakes, They have special rules that make them particularly attractive to fly fishers. They don’t allow bait and have a one fish limit with a minimum size of 18 inches. When I did a recent survey of the lakes to check on conditions, I found that most of those I visited were still capped with ice. I did see open water on Dusty Lake, in the Quincy Wildlife Area, but further north I found both Lenore and Dry Falls completely ice bound. I didn’t get a chance to check out Lenice and Nunnally lakes. These are near Beverly and could be free of ice, but I just can’t say. There are other quality lakes in the region and can be found by looking through the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet. They are great lakes to try in the early season for bigger trout, and although attractive to fly anglers most can be fished with lures that have single barbless hooks. It won’t long before the ice will clear off these lakes and some of the best fishing of the season can be had.
Dry Falls Lake, north of Soap Lake, is a beautiful place to fish for big rainbow.