Planning a Fishing Vacation

It is not often when the entire family can plan a vacation and finds something for each of the family members to enjoy. However, I am about to let you in on a little secret. If your family activities involved swimming, water skiing, biking, playing tennis, golfing or simply lounging on the beaches and of course fishing, then Banks Lake is the place. Located in Grand Coulee, Washington the 30- mile-long long reservoir has several species of fish for the angler to pursue.

Angler can fish from the bank or from a boat went fishing at Banks Lake and have the opportunity to determine what type of fish they would like to pursue. If you were a bass angler, you would probably head out to what is called the Punchbowl area when largemouth bass are in the shallower weedy waters to spawn in late spring.

If an angler would prefer small mouth bass, then head to any part of the lake where the bottom is covered with rocks or gravel where you will find that these fish are abundant. These areas are easy to find since the lake shores are about 95% rocks and gravel. When fishing for smallmouth in late spring or early summer try a small top water lure along the shoreline’s early in the morning and late in the evenings. Some have said that this is the best fishing action the lake has to offer.

If you are not a bass angler, then you may be interested in catching trout or the landlocked sockeye salmon a.k.a. kokanee or silvers. Trout angler can catch fish from the banks of Banks Lake using salmon eggs, power bait or marshmallows with the average fish coming in between 15 and 18 inches. Fisherman who would prefer more of a river type environment would probably want to go where the canal empties into the lake on the north end. The last time I fished that area, I caught a 23 inch, which weighed in at just less than 5 pounds.

If the landlocked sockeye salmon were your game than your best bet would be trolling with down riggers and flashers. Most fisherman use leaded line to get to the depths of where the fish are, which is between 50-70 feet deep. Banks Lake provides some the best fishing in Eastern Washington for kokanee.

Banks Lake offers fishing for all skill levels and offers the best opportunity for young children or kids to learn how to fish and yet be able to catch a fish, two, three, or four… Young children would enjoy the fishing that is offered in these areas with a simple setup of a bobber and a jig. There are plenty of places to catch panfish such as perch, crappies and sunfish.

There are several facilities for launching boats and camping from private resorts to state parks, and all of these facilities can provide the angler with current and additional resources. If you are planning a vacation at Banks Lake, I would suggest that you contact Coulee Playland resort to make reservations.

Enjoy your vacation and remember Banks Lake has a wide selection of fish and fishing methods for all skill levels and fun for the entire family.