Want to take my boys bank fishing in eastern Washington

[grundy53]

I've never been much of a fisherman but I would really like to start taking my boys fishing this summer. I have a 6 year old and twins who are almost 4. I would like to find some spots with good bank access where they could play and have fun while maybe occasionally catching a fish to get them excited. Unfortunately I'm greatly out of my element on this. Could anyone recommend any spots? They don't have to be productive spots just easy for the boys to get to. I'm mainly wanting to bond with my boys. I would really appreciate any help.

[h20hunter]

Any "kid only" ponds that may be regularly stocked?

[Dhoey07]

Roosevelt.

[D-Rock425]

During high school we always went on trips to Jameson lake.  Fish lake wouldn't be bad you could fish off the dock.

[Hilltop123]

Currently, I'd be willing to bet you could not find a lake in eastern Washington, that is not frozen solid. So bank fishing might be tough.

[Woodchuck]

The Tucannon ponds. 

[Sandberm]

The Tucannon ponds. 

I'll second this. Easy fishing when you check the stocking report to see which pond has recently been planted. Can be crowded on a weekend though.https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/plants/weekly/

The banks are nice and wide, not steep, so you do not have to worry about your little ones falling off a cliff like at some of the lakes below potholes reservoir. You can use a bobber at these ponds which seems to keep the kids attention pretty well.

The other added benefit is all the wildlife you will see driving up the canyon. Have your boys compete to see how many deer they can spot. Extra points if they see any turkeys or elk.

[7mmfan]

I've always enjoyed fishing off the bank at Pearrygin in the summer. Can be surprisingly good fishing in the morning. The state park has lots of camping and theres also the resort, where we usually stay. Nice scenery, good weather, good swimming and areas to play.

Lake Curlew also has good camping options, and tons of trout/perch/bass to catch from shore.

As some others have stated, Lake Roosevelt could be a good option. The trout fishing from shore can be good, but the bank playing and swimming is great in the summer. Kids would have a lot of fun there.

Maybe try them all on a couple of long weekends this summer?

[KFhunter]

Lake Roosevelt can be good with different flavors of fish to catch. 

[grundy53]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the help. I like the variety of locations. It will be fun to explore different parts of the state with my boys.

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[grundy53]

Currently, I'd be willing to bet you could not find a lake in eastern Washington, that is not frozen solid. So bank fishing might be tough.

I'm planning on taking them this summer.

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[grundy53]

I've always enjoyed fishing off the bank at Pearrygin in the summer. Can be surprisingly good fishing in the morning. The state park has lots of camping and theres also the resort, where we usually stay. Nice scenery, good weather, good swimming and areas to play.

Lake Curlew also has good camping options, and tons of trout/perch/bass to catch from shore.

As some others have stated, Lake Roosevelt could be a good option. The trout fishing from shore can be good, but the bank playing and swimming is great in the summer. Kids would have a lot of fun there.

Maybe try them all on a couple of long weekends this summer?

Trying them all sounds like a great idea. They will love the adventures.



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[7mmfan]

I've always enjoyed fishing off the bank at Pearrygin in the summer. Can be surprisingly good fishing in the morning. The state park has lots of camping and theres also the resort, where we usually stay. Nice scenery, good weather, good swimming and areas to play.

Lake Curlew also has good camping options, and tons of trout/perch/bass to catch from shore.

As some others have stated, Lake Roosevelt could be a good option. The trout fishing from shore can be good, but the bank playing and swimming is great in the summer. Kids would have a lot of fun there.

Maybe try them all on a couple of long weekends this summer?

Trying them all sounds like a great idea. They will love the adventures.

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I remember doing a long camping trip with my Dad when I was about 8 or 9 years old. We drove to a new lake every day for a week, camping in the back of the truck . It was a ton of fun. At that age, everything outside is an adventure with unlimited potential.

[Fl0und3rz]

Potholes and Moses Lake was always a fun time when I was a wee one, always bank fishing.  I will be looking to head there in near future, with my young ones.

[Caseyd]

Lots of great recommendations so far.

With your location I’d shoot for fish lake/lake Wenatchee first. Great camping for the family, bank/dock fishing and can rent a fishing boat for cheap ($20ish) to give the kids another experience.

[grundy53]

I've always enjoyed fishing off the bank at Pearrygin in the summer. Can be surprisingly good fishing in the morning. The state park has lots of camping and theres also the resort, where we usually stay. Nice scenery, good weather, good swimming and areas to play.

Lake Curlew also has good camping options, and tons of trout/perch/bass to catch from shore.

As some others have stated, Lake Roosevelt could be a good option. The trout fishing from shore can be good, but the bank playing and swimming is great in the summer. Kids would have a lot of fun there.

Maybe try them all on a couple of long weekends this summer?

Trying them all sounds like a great idea. They will love the adventures.

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I remember doing a long camping trip with my Dad when I was about 8 or 9 years old. We drove to a new lake every day for a week, camping in the back of the truck . It was a ton of fun. At that age, everything outside is an adventure with unlimited potential.

That sounds great!

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[Caseyd]

The Tucannon ponds. 

Turkey season, opening fishing combo is always fun 

[rainshadow1]

Don't overlook the 1-2 hour adventures (doorstep to doorstep), as they can happen on the spur of the moment and create GREAT memories. The Big trips are great, plan and do them, but have the gear leaning in the corner to go all spring and summer whenever you have a minute. The weekly fish plant reports you've already been shown are a great place to start. There's local kid fishing all over Washington.

Planted rainbows are a great place to start, then you'll learn the other species as you go.

My boys started at 2 and 3... you' wouldn't believe how many conversations start with, "Do you remember when we were at the fishing park..."  Opportunities are all over the place!


Edit to add: https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/washington/lowland.html


Edit again to add this just for fun.... https://www.facebook.com/steve.tormala/media_set?set=a.1428561284387&type=3

(These guys are 12 and 14 now, both have killed 4 deer, bunches of ducks, a coyote, and two gobblers, and the kite flyer is a much better kayak bass fisherman that I am! His little brother is turning pens in my shop as a hobby business!)

[grundy53]

Great advice. I will make sure to get those short trips in when I can.

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[Fl0und3rz]

Takhlakh Lake in the GPNF is a fun one when stocked, and it has a few established camp spots.

[dwils233]

The Pend Oreille Chain Lakes are an absolute blast to camp and fish. Diverse and really active fishery that's perfect for young kids. I've never had a line in the water more than 15  minutes without a bite from something- perch, bass, trout, crappie. Small lakes with a lodge if you want to rent a boat, or multiple access points from FS campgrounds (there's one campground with like 10 beach access sites)

If I'm just trying to get out for a weekend of fishing "action" and not trying to haul in anything amazing, I can't recommend a better set of lakes in my backyard.

[grundy53]

The Pend Oreille Chain Lakes are an absolute blast to camp and fish. Diverse and really active fishery that's perfect for young kids. I've never had a line in the water more than 15  minutes without a bite from something- perch, bass, trout, crappie. Small lakes with a lodge if you want to rent a boat, or multiple access points from FS campgrounds (there's one campground with like 10 beach access sites)

If I'm just trying to get out for a weekend of fishing "action" and not trying to haul in anything amazing, I can't recommend a better set of lakes in my backyard.

Awesome! Sounds great thank you. Are those the ones on tiger pass?

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[vandeman17]

Tons of lakes within a short drive of wenatchee. Lake Jameson, Wapato and Roses Lake up in Manson, Lake Chelan itself...

[Machias]

I used to take my kids to Osborn Bay on Banks Lake and carp fish.  They LOVED it.  Non-stop action with 6 to 15 pound fish on light tackle.  Kids learned how to play and fight big fish on light tackle and the action was pretty much non-stop.  Then when it gets too hot for fishing or they get bored you can take them over to the beach at Steamboat Rock beach and swim.  It is a great time for the kids.  My grown up kids still talk about our trips there.

[KFhunter]

On the Roosevelt, it goes full pool around the last week of June and first week of July, it's usually full pool by July 4th weekend.

When it's full a lot of the shoreline is under water, so less beaches exposed.   By late July it's down exposing more beach, August is nicest for swimming playing on the shore with warmest water temps but avoid any shallow areas or you could get the swimmers itch, harmless but itchy bumps.  I've had it many many times bow fishing carp when it was legal (wading w/o boat or protective clothing) its not a big deal.

https://news.wsu.edu/2018/07/11/swimmers-itch-thriving/

[KFhunter]

The Pend Oreille Chain Lakes are an absolute blast to camp and fish. Diverse and really active fishery that's perfect for young kids. I've never had a line in the water more than 15  minutes without a bite from something- perch, bass, trout, crappie. Small lakes with a lodge if you want to rent a boat, or multiple access points from FS campgrounds (there's one campground with like 10 beach access sites)

If I'm just trying to get out for a weekend of fishing "action" and not trying to haul in anything amazing, I can't recommend a better set of lakes in my backyard.

Awesome! Sounds great thank you. Are those the ones on tiger pass?

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Ya, and they serve a good burger at the restaurant/gas station there too  (lot's of taxi work to gawk at too).. after a long day on the snowmobile it's super gooood!

Oh and you could wander up to the old air force base radar dome, your kids would have a blast playing hide n seek there in the ruins.   Lot of guys would paint ball up there.


https://newgs.org/cpage.php?pt=28


lot's of pics, been a long time since I've been up there.  I see it's splatted up pretty good now 
https://www.zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=81313//url


It might be blocked off now and walk in only, not sure but I could see it being blocked if it's falling apart now.

Used to be a good place to get your call of duty on