Chapman lake Kokes Revised

[nwwanderer]

Kind of a common family story for the region and it should be noted that Turnbull is in the 'want it all mode'.  Be careful what you ask for

[E-10]

Why are we still waiting? I went round and round in circles on this a couple years ago with Mr. Osborne, a gentleman from DNR, and Rich Landers of the Spokesman Review.
It comes to mind that
(1) the greedy sister might not think the property is that valuable if WDFW killed the lake or just let it die.
(2) WDFW could stop stocking the lake that all but a few have access to. WDFW has annually stocked Chapman with 100,000 fry/fingerlings, 10 times the amount stocked for other lakes of similar size. Loon lake/Stevens County only receives 90,000 but is 8-9 times larger than Chapman. Why???
(3) WDFW could partner with DNR or purchase access from them for the usual $1.00 and use the $474,000 plus monies put aside for the Chapman Resort facility development and improvements to blast some of the cliffs, excavate and pour a ramp, build a launch dock, and fishing deck, land a concrete toilet on site and grade and pave a road and parking lot. Just like the plans already drawn up for the resort site.

Some will say there is only $474,000 but that was the money set aside several years ago to purchase the resort. WDFW also had money for improvements and site development at the old resort location.

And I know they say the fry only cost .02 a piece, but I'd really like to see some data to support that. After food, electricity for pumps and filtration, hatchery staff, biologists, trucks, fuel, drivers, insurance, maintenance and other incidentals, I can't imagine it's only .02 per fry. And even if it is, that's $2,000 per year, or $16,000 total that could have gone to benefit other lakes.

Come on already, it's been eight years. Let's put a plan together and move forward to make this lake accessible to everyone.

[Ghost Hunter]

Not so many dollars keeping the loons fed, compared to the wolf boondoggle.     It's a wonder they don't just put a trail in for birdwatching.   

[HUNTIN4SIX]

W
(1) the greedy sister might not think the property is that valuable if WDFW killed the lake or just let it die.

Ummmm...that would be smart...spend $100K+ on a lake rehab, but get upset over a couple thousand a year?  You lost me, keep doing your research, and maybe the truth will find you.    no pun intended....well maybe a little

[E-10]

Maybe I lost you... WDFW hasn't spent a dime on "lake rehab" or site development, they have however spent several thousands of yours and my license fees a year for 8 years to maintain a public lake that for the most part is only accessible to a VERY select few individuals that live on the lake, or are friendly with property owners.

There is "limited access" from DNR property next to the old resort, but the locals keep taking the signs down that indicate where that access is. And once you get to the lake, you're essentially fishing off a cliff.
And good luck getting your young or special needs children, grandparents, or disabled veterans to the waters edge, the foot path is very primitive.

Another member on this site spoke to one of those lucky enough to live on Chapman, and according to him, he has caught so many Kokanee it is impossible to do legally during the fishing season. Game wardens have no access either, so I guess regs are out, and you can harvest as many fish as you want.
 

W
(1) the greedy sister might not think the property is that valuable if WDFW killed the lake or just let it die.

Ummmm...that would be smart...spend $100K+ on a lake rehab, but get upset over a couple thousand a year?  You lost me, keep doing your research, and maybe the truth will find you.    no pun intended....well maybe a little

[Ridgeratt]

There is "limited access" from DNR property next to the old resort, but the locals keep taking the signs down that indicate where that access is. And once you get to the lake, you're essentially fishing off a cliff.
And good luck getting your young or special needs children, grandparents, or disabled veterans to the waters edge, the foot path is very primitive.

Another member on this site spoke to one of those lucky enough to live on Chapman, and according to him, he has caught so many Kokanee it is impossible to do legally during the fishing season. Game wardens have no access either, so I guess regs are out, and you can harvest as many fish as you want.

This link shows the topo if I could find enough folks we could pack my hewescraft to the lake . After that getting to the water might be a bit sporty launching.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/11011+W+Chapman+Lake+Rd,+Cheney,+WA+99004/@47.3555817,-117.5760031,1436m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x549e495a041c4ab3:0x4ca77c68a2fc0dcc!8m2!3d47.3513135!4d-117.5619798

The topo shows the small community of residences behind the locked gate.

[Ridgeratt]

When Ollie was alive he had a Kokanee hatchery right on the lake. I can't say but I think he paid all the expenses for raising them. Might have been .02 cents then but you could also rent a boat for a dollar if memory serves. Gas should have been around .60 cents a gallon also. 

[Nwgunner]

Maybe I lost you... WDFW hasn't spent a dime on "lake rehab" or site development, they have however spent several thousands of yours and my license fees a year for 8 years to maintain a public lake that for the most part is only accessible to a VERY select few individuals that live on the lake, or are friendly with property owners.

There is "limited access" from DNR property next to the old resort, but the locals keep taking the signs down that indicate where that access is. And once you get to the lake, you're essentially fishing off a cliff.
And good luck getting your young or special needs children, grandparents, or disabled veterans to the waters edge, the foot path is very primitive.

Another member on this site spoke to one of those lucky enough to live on Chapman, and according to him, he has caught so many Kokanee it is impossible to do legally during the fishing season. Game wardens have no access either, so I guess regs are out, and you can harvest as many fish as you want.
 

W
(1) the greedy sister might not think the property is that valuable if WDFW killed the lake or just let it die.

Ummmm...that would be smart...spend $100K+ on a lake rehab, but get upset over a couple thousand a year?  You lost me, keep doing your research, and maybe the truth will find you.    no pun intended....well maybe a little

[Nwgunner]

Maybe I lost you... WDFW hasn't spent a dime on "lake rehab" or site development, they have however spent several thousands of yours and my license fees a year for 8 years to maintain a public lake that for the most part is only accessible to a VERY select few individuals that live on the lake, or are friendly with property owners.

There is "limited access" from DNR property next to the old resort, but the locals keep taking the signs down that indicate where that access is. And once you get to the lake, you're essentially fishing off a cliff.
And good luck getting your young or special needs children, grandparents, or disabled veterans to the waters edge, the foot path is very primitive.

Another member on this site spoke to one of those lucky enough to live on Chapman, and according to him, he has caught so many Kokanee it is impossible to do legally during the fishing season. Game wardens have no access either, so I guess regs are out, and you can harvest as many fish as you want.
 

W
(1) the greedy sister might not think the property is that valuable if WDFW killed the lake or just let it die.

Ummmm...that would be smart...spend $100K+ on a lake rehab, but get upset over a couple thousand a year?  You lost me, keep doing your research, and maybe the truth will find you.    no pun intended....well maybe a little

Its surrounded by state land (except for the resort property) so its not just accessible to a select few or friends of property owners, its open to everyone.  And there is a defined access point, however there is limited parking and I do believe that the signs get removed from time to time.
I was out there last year hunting late elk muzzie and ran into 2 others hunting that small piece of property that used the exact same access as me.
As far as getting to the lake... no the disabled, old, or real young cant reach it and that's a shame.  But for others that don't mind a little hike the solitude that it can offer is a payoff.  Cliffs are a real issue and from what I encountered only two areas on public ground can you reach the waters edge.
I too would like to see the state find a solution to provide better access, but it is not inaccessible at this moment to anyone that is capable of a "small" hike.

[E-10]

I resurrected this from page 4 of this discussion. Here is the site map provided to me by Dave Harsh, Land Manager, Rivers District, for DNR. The land on the south end of the lake in between the yellow boxes is the resort land WDFW has been trying to purchase. Everything inside the yellow boxes is DNR land. You can see from the access point to waters edge that it is a good mile or better as the crow flies. But you can't hike a straight line to the water, so it is more like two miles  each direction on very uneven ground.


 

[Ridgeratt]

Its surrounded by state land (except for the resort property) so its not just accessible to a select few or friends of property owners, its open to everyone.  And there is a defined access point, however there is limited parking and I do believe that the signs get removed from time to time.
I was out there last year hunting late elk muzzie and ran into 2 others hunting that small piece of property that used the exact same access as me.
As far as getting to the lake... no the disabled, old, or real young cant reach it and that's a shame.  But for others that don't mind a little hike the solitude that it can offer is a payoff.  Cliffs are a real issue and from what I encountered only two areas on public ground can you reach the waters edge.
I too would like to see the state find a solution to provide better access, but it is not inaccessible at this moment to anyone that is capable of a "small" hike.

Nw  When I check Onyx Maps they show only section 36 is not private owned. That would be the yellow lines in E-10 post.  Granted a person is able to walk to the lake and access the lake But I have never had any luck catching Kokanee's from the beach. The idea of portaging a boat across the scab rock is less that ideal. I'm wondering just what shape it will arrive at the launch site as well.

During the muzzle loader season I rode as an adviser for my son and the signs were removed at the road. I also question getting any type of craft over, under, or thru the fence with out some kind of damage to both the fence and the craft.

A small hike is not a straight line in any form.

[Machias]

I nearly went blind on this property a few years ago from a face full of turkey shot.  Lucky for me the turkey's head took all of the shot that would have hit me in the face.  I had pellets blow off bark 2 inches behind my head, 2 inches above my head and 2 inches in front of my face.  It's a miracle I did not take a direct shot to the face.

[Ghost Hunter]

Its surrounded by state land (except for the resort property) so its not just accessible to a select few or friends of property owners, its open to everyone.  And there is a defined access point, however there is limited parking and I do believe that the signs get removed from time to time.
I was out there last year hunting late elk muzzie and ran into 2 others hunting that small piece of property that used the exact same access as me.
As far as getting to the lake... no the disabled, old, or real young cant reach it and that's a shame.  But for others that don't mind a little hike the solitude that it can offer is a payoff.  Cliffs are a real issue and from what I encountered only two areas on public ground can you reach the waters edge.
I too would like to see the state find a solution to provide better access, but it is not inaccessible at this moment to anyone that is capable of a "small" hike.

Nw  When I check Onyx Maps they show only section 36 is not private owned. That would be the yellow lines in E-10 post.  Granted a person is able to walk to the lake and access the lake But I have never had any luck catching Kokanee's from the beach. The idea of portaging a boat across the scab rock is less that ideal. I'm wondering just what shape it will arrive at the launch site as well.

During the muzzle loader season I rode as an adviser for my son and the signs were removed at the road. I also question getting any type of craft over, under, or thru the fence with out some kind of damage to both the fence and the craft.

A small hike is not a straight line in any form.

Marked out a 'reasonable' route on Onx.  Looks like .9 mile scramble would do it.  If fishing is that good, and I could pickup a couple of fat tire/wheel combo to throw together a decent canoe cart, I'd be up to the challenge with a strong partner or two.  Canoe, Optimum gel cell battery, trolling motor, beverages, and fishing gear shouldn't go much over 350 pounds.  What's the closest camping?

[walt]

Its surrounded by state land (except for the resort property) so its not just accessible to a select few or friends of property owners, its open to everyone.  And there is a defined access point, however there is limited parking and I do believe that the signs get removed from time to time.
I was out there last year hunting late elk muzzie and ran into 2 others hunting that small piece of property that used the exact same access as me.
As far as getting to the lake... no the disabled, old, or real young cant reach it and that's a shame.  But for others that don't mind a little hike the solitude that it can offer is a payoff.  Cliffs are a real issue and from what I encountered only two areas on public ground can you reach the waters edge.
I too would like to see the state find a solution to provide better access, but it is not inaccessible at this moment to anyone that is capable of a "small" hike.

Nw  When I check Onyx Maps they show only section 36 is not private owned. That would be the yellow lines in E-10 post.  Granted a person is able to walk to the lake and access the lake But I have never had any luck catching Kokanee's from the beach. The idea of portaging a boat across the scab rock is less that ideal. I'm wondering just what shape it will arrive at the launch site as well.

During the muzzle loader season I rode as an adviser for my son and the signs were removed at the road. I also question getting any type of craft over, under, or thru the fence with out some kind of damage to both the fence and the craft.

A small hike is not a straight line in any form.

Marked out a 'reasonable' route on Onx.  Looks like .9 mile scramble would do it.  If fishing is that good, and I could pickup a couple of fat tire/wheel combo to throw together a decent canoe cart, I'd be up to the challenge with a strong partner or two.  Canoe, Optimum gel cell battery, trolling motor, beverages, and fishing gear shouldn't go much over 350 pounds.  What's the closest camping?

The walk in isn't bad.  I've carried a float tube in a couple of times and have hiked all over in there.  If they opened the gate you could drive the old roads all the way to the lake.  It's mostly cliffs along the south shore of the DNR ground with one decent place to get down to the water and launch.  We planned to carry in the kayaks and paddle board but didn't get around to it this summer, maybe next year.  Parking is very limited, just a couple of pull-outs along the county road.  The closest campground is probably at Williams Lake but I'm pretty sure you could throw a tent anywhere on the DNR land there at Chapman. 

[Ridgeratt]

Marked out a 'reasonable' route on Onx.  Looks like .9 mile scramble would do it.  If fishing is that good, and I could pickup a couple of fat tire/wheel combo to throw together a decent canoe cart, I'd be up to the challenge with a strong partner or two.  Canoe, Optimum gel cell battery, trolling motor, beverages, and fishing gear shouldn't go much over 350 pounds.  What's the closest camping?

Not sure if anyone can speak for the fishing since it has been non-accessable for over 8 years. But since the WDFW plants more Kokanee in this lake than the other lakes I suspect it would be good. The Bass should be stellar. (They used to be)

But it would maybe benefit you to instead of trying to get on this until they resolve it. Just over the hill from you is Curlew that also has Kokanee, Tiger Muskies, and Bass. If you like perch last year they were going just short of 13 inches thru the hard water. You also can drive to the lake and launch and there are places to camp. Another plus to Curlew is the time your going to be fishing it you won't be wandering around the sage brush looking for rattler snakes on your way in.