A Guide to Fishing the Spokane River

Casting a line into the Spokane River is stepping into a living story—a river whose waters carry memories. Memories of salmon runs nourishing the Spokane Tribe of Indians for generations. Memories of bridges and railroads built over roaring falls, and a city that once poured its waste freely into the currents. Memories held within fish, like redband trout and largescale suckers, still persisting after thousands of years. But also memories yet to be written—where communities gather, new connections form, and hopeful visions for Spokane’s future continue to flow forward.

This guide is your invitation into that story. We’ll journey along the Spokane River from the Washington–Idaho state line down to the rocky gorge below the Spokane Falls, discovering when to fish, how to gear up, where to go, and why this river is so special. Along the way, you’ll find practical how-to tips woven with a narrative of community and stewardship, because fishing the Spokane is about more than catching fish—it’s about connecting with a river in the heart of our city.

Whether you’re casting a fly rod or a spinning lure, wading in the shallows or floating on a paddleboard, this guide will help you get started. By the end, you’ll know the seasons and rules, the gear and local shops, the fish species and river sections, plus a few local secrets (like who to call when you find a locked gate, or how to get real-time water temperatures). Most importantly, you’ll feel ready to head out and fish the Spokane River with confidence, care, and a sense of adventure.

***Before we get started, please note that this guide focuses on fishing the Spokane River from the Washington-Idaho border to the rapids just downstream of the Spokane Rifle Club. This guide will not provide info on fishing outside of that area.

Fishing Seasons and Regulations

Like many rivers in Washington, the Spokane River has a defined fishing season to protect redband trout during spawning. Fishing on the Spokane River (from the Idaho state line down to Nine Mile Dam) is open from the Saturday before Memorial Day through March 15 each year. That means late spring, all summer, fall, and winter are open to angling, but come mid-March the river gets a rest. The closure from March 16 until late May covers the critical spawn period for redband trout, giving them a chance to reproduce undisturbed.

Know the Rules

The Spokane River has Selective Gear Rules in effect. In plain language, this means:

Artificial lures and flies only: No bait of any kind is allowed. Leave the worms, eggs, and scented tackle at home. This regulation protects the fish from swallowing baited hooks.
Single, barbless hooks are required: No treble hooks allowed. You can use wire cutters to snip the other two hook points off (or swap out the treble for a single siwash hook). If you are using a hook with a barb, pinch down the barb with a pair of needle nose pliers. Using single, barbless hooks makes releasing fish easier and with less harm (it’s also safer when teaching kids or learning how to fly fish).
Catch-and-release for all species: The general Spokane River rule is that you must release all species.
- Quick note, the regulations say you can keep hatchery trout, but only a small number of hatchery trout are released into the Upper Falls Reservoir. So, generally speaking, most of the fish that you'll catch will be non-hatchery fish.
To help with practicing catch-and-releasing fishing to ensure greater survival rate for the fish, refer to information provided by KeepFishWet.org

Current regulations may surprise anglers interested in keeping fish. Due to pollution, the fish in the Spokane River are currently unsafe to eat, for both humans and non-humans alike. Still, many anglers imagine a future where the river is clean enough to support limited, responsible harvest. Because catching and eating a fish you’ve caught yourself isn’t just a meal—it’s a powerful, personal way to engage with the ecosystem, and to reflect on what it means to take a life in order to sustain your own.

If you’re ever unsure about the regulations or want to double-check a detail, consult the Fish Washington app (WDFW’s official regulations app). The app is a handy resources to have on your phone for on-the-spot rule checks.

One final note: please don’t throw fish on the riverbank. There is no rule requiring anglers to remove any species from the river. If you're unsure about a fish you’ve caught, the best approach is to take a photo, note the location, gently release it, and then connect with local community members and officials who are actively learning about the complex ecological and social roles each species plays in the Spokane River. That kind of curiosity—and care—goes a long way.

Seasonal Timing Matters

The Spokane River’s character changes with the seasons, and understanding those changes will help you plan successful outings. Late April into June often bring higher flows from spring runoff—the river runs swift and cold. As summer settles in, flows drop and the water warms. By late summer, certain stretches get quite warm (more on that in the River Sections below), which is great for smallmouth bass but stressful for trout. Fall brings cooling water and active trout feeding up before winter. And in winter, while many anglers shift to tying flies, die-hards can still be founding nymph fishing for trout in the Spokane’s deeper holes until the season closes in March.

One more seasonal consideration: the river’s flow levels. Wading on Spokane River becomes easier when flows are below about 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), and when flows are below 3,000 cfs wading is at its best. When flows are higher (say in early summer), the current is strong, wading becomes difficult and risky, and fish have lots of water to disperse into. Once flows drop under that 3,000 cfs threshold, more riverbed is exposed, currents slow a bit, and trout congregate into pocket waters and runs that anglers can effectively fish. In fact, by mid-summer flows often hover in the low 2000s cfs or even below 1,800 cfs, making it much easier to get around in the water.

Keep an eye on the USGS streamflow gauges, which you can find on the USGS website (dashboard.waterdata.usgs.gov) to know current flow. As a rule of thumb: early season = high flows (use caution), mid-summer = lower flows (easier wading, but watch water temps), fall = moderate flows (great fishing conditions).

Quick recap:

Season: Open from the Saturday before Memorial Day to March 15.
Gear: Selective rules – artificial lure/fly, single barbless, no bait.
Limits: Catch-and-release for all fish.
Check the app: Fish Washington app or WDFW site for any updates or section-specific rules.
Flows & wading: <3000 cfs is ideal for wading; early season high water demands caution.

Understanding and respecting these rules and seasonal patterns not only keeps you legal, but it also aligns you with the rhythms of the river and its fish. Now that you know when to fish, let’s talk about how to fish: choosing the right gear and tackle.

Gear Up: Tackle Tips for Fly and Spin Fishing

One beautiful aspect of the Spokane River is that it welcomes both fly fishers and conventional (spin) anglers. In this section, we’ll cover gear recommendations for both styles, from rods and reels to the types of flies or lures that work well. We’ll also highlight some local shops where you can gear up and get expert advice in person.

Fly Fishing Gear

If you’re new to fly fishing the Spokane, don’t worry—you don’t need a truckload of different rods. A versatile 5-weight or 6-weight graphite fly rod about 9 feet in length is the classic choice for this river. A 5-weight is perfect for presenting flies delicately and can handle most Spokane trout; a 6-weight gives a bit more backbone for casting heavier flies or battling the occasional larger fish or strong current. If you want a second fly rod, many Spokane fly fishers also use longer 10.5-foot, 3-weight rods for euro (tightline) nymphing which is very effective for catching a variety of fish species along the river.

For the reel and line, pair your rod with a standard disc-drag reel and a weight-forward floating fly line in the same weight as your rod (5wt or 6wt line). A floating line covers 90% of Spokane River techniques, from dry flies to nymphing in moderate depth. Later, you might add a sink-tip line if you want to fish streamers deep, but it’s not required at first.

For leaders, go with a 9-foot tapered leader (ending in 3X to 5X tippet for trout). The Spokane’s water can be clear, so a longer leader helps avoid spooking fish. If targeting smallmouth bass in summer (more on that in species), you can use a shorter, sturdier leader (e.g. 7.5 ft 2X) since bass aren’t as leader-shy and often hang near structure.

Lastly, you’ll need to choose some fly patterns. The Spokane River can be a buggy river at times—it has mayflies, caddisflies, some stoneflies, and more—but it’s also an opportunistic fishery. The fish here often eat a variety of foods, and many species will even chase minnows or crayfish. Here are some fly suggestions to start (and these patterns will work for various fish species along the river):

Nymphs (subsurface flies): Patterns like Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Hare’s Ear, Pat’s Rubber Legs (stonefly nymph), and various Perdigon or Euro nymph patterns work well.
Dry Flies: In summer and early fall, caddisflies and mayflies hatch in the mornings and evenings—Elk Hair Caddis in size 14-16, Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) size 16, and Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) size 14 to 18 are good choices. Terrestrials are also effective; a Chubby Chernobyl (or any large foam dry fly pattern) in tan or brown not only imitates grasshoppers but also doubles as an indicator fly for a dry-dropper rig.
Dry-Dropper Rigs: A favorite approach on the Spokane is a dry-dropper setup—tie a buoyant dry fly (like a foam dry fly) and drop a bead-head nymph 2 to 6 feet below it. This covers surface and subsurface at once. As local anglers note, using a big foam dry as your “bobber” with a tungsten nymph below is deadly in the Spokane’s riffles and bouldery pockets. If one fly doesn’t get them, the other might!
Streamers: Trout, northern pikeminnow, and smallmouth bass will hit streamers, especially in spring or fall when they’re fattening up or when water is high. Woolly Buggers, Sculpin patterns, or flashy streamers imitating small fish and crayfish (size 4–8) stripped through deeper pools can entice larger fish to bite. Some two-handed “trout spey” fishing happens on the Spokane—anglers use 3- or 4-weight two-handed rods to swing streamers or soft hackles. It’s an enjoyable technique if you have the gear, but not at all required. A regular single-hand rod with a sink-tip will do the same job of getting a streamer down.

The fish along the Spokane River can adapt their diet with the season. For instance, during summer, many Spokane trout feed heavily on caddisflies (both adults and subsurface caddis larvae and pupae)—swinging an emerger in the evening or skating an adult caddis can produce explosive strikes. In the upper river in spring and fall, anglers have reported brown trout chasing streamers aggressively (yes, there are a few browns in the upper Spokane!). By late summer, those same spots might see trout sipping tiny blue-winged olives or chironomids in the morning or evening. The key is to be observant and willing to change tactics—that’s why having a variety of fly types (dries, nymphs, streamers) in your box is useful.

If you are really looking to incorporate more fishing into your everyday life, then you may also want to consider purchasing a Tenkara rod—which is a highly portable, telescoping rod that collapses down to about a foot-long. These rods are great for catching trout, largescale suckers, northern pikeminnow, etc. and are a fun way to introduce beginners to fishing.

Conventional Tackle (Spin Fishing) Gear

If you prefer spin fishing, you can absolutely enjoy the Spokane—just remember to use lures only (no bait, no scented plastics), and no treble hooks. If you want to use a lure that has a treble hook, swap out the treble for a single siwash hook or clip off the other two hook points using wire cutters.

Ultralight or light spinning gear is ideal. Think of a 6- to 7-foot light-action spinning rod that can cast small lures in the 1/16 to 1/4 ounce range. Pair it with a small spinning reel (size 1000–2500) spooled with 4- to 8-pound test monofilament or thin braid. Lighter line (4- to 6-pound) helps cast small lures farther and works fine for trout. If targeting larger bass specifically, you might bump up to 8-pound test for abrasion resistance around rocks.

Lures that produce on the Spokane:

Inline spinners: Classics like the Rooster Tail or Mepps Aglia in sizes #1 or #2 (1/8 oz) are trout favorites. Silver, gold, or black/orange colors work well. Cast upstream or quartering upstream and retrieve just fast enough to keep the blade spinning. In the upper river’s faster water, spinners are deadly in the pocket pools behind boulders.
Spoons: Little Cleo spoons or Kastmasters in 1/8–1/4 oz can be effective, especially in deeper pools or slower runs. Redband trout pattern or plain silver/blue are solid choices. Cast out and let the spoon flutter down, then retrieve with a twitching motion.
Crankbaits and plugs: Small floating/diving minnow plugs (like Rapala F-5 or F-7, or Dynamic HD Trout) can imitate the juvenile fish and minnows that big trout or bass eat. These work better in the slower sections (e.g. around Upriver Dam reservoir or deeper holes in the gorge) where fish have time to chase. In summer, smallmouth bass in the Spokane love a 2-3” crankbait that looks like a crayfish or sculpin bumped along the rocks.
Jigs and soft plastics (unscented): A 2-3” curly tail grub on a 1/16 or 1/8 oz jighead can catch a bit of everything—smallmouth, northern pikeminnow, even trout if presented well. Make sure any soft plastics are unscented to comply with the rules. Tube jigs that resemble crayfish can be very effective for bass in the Spokane’s rocky areas.

Wading Gear and Wading Safety

Whether fly or spin fishing, if you plan to wade the river, investing in good wading gear will pay off. Waders (chest-high breathable waders) allow you to fish earlier in the season and in deeper spots without getting soaked. In summer, wet-wading (just wearing shorts or quick-dry pants and wading boots) is common since the water can be comfortable enough and it’s refreshing on a hot day.

For footwear, felt-soled wading boots are highly recommended on the Spokane. The river’s rocks are extremely slippery—a layer of algae and river slime can make each boulder feel like greased bowling balls under your feet. Felt soles provide extra grip on these slick rocks. Many anglers who visit from out of town and use rubber-sole boots find the Spokane unexpectedly slick; locals will nod and show you their well-worn felt boots. A wading staff is also a great idea for balance, especially if you’re new to wading or in faster water.

Local Shops for Gear and Advice

Spokane is fortunate to have a few local fishing shops:

North 40 Outfitters (Airway Heights): On the west edge of Spokane, North 40 is a big store that carries both fly gear and conventional tackle. It’s a great one-stop shop for rods, reels, lines, and lures. They have a fly shop section with flies and even some euro nymphing gear, and aisles of freshwater lures for the spin angler. The staff there see a lot of local anglers and often have a sense of what’s trending. Fly casting and fly fishing 101 classes, along with free lectures about fishing the river, are often provided at the shop.
Silver Bow Fly Shop: Located in Spokane Valley, Silver Bow has been the fly fishing hub since 1988 where you can buy a variety of necessary fly fishing equipment. They also offer guided trips on the river and regularly post fishing reports and tips. Silver Bow also offers classes like Fly Fishing 101 and fly tying clinics.
Sportsman’s Warehouse: There are several Sportsman’s Warehouse stores around Spokane that carry fly and conventional gear and at times have helpful staff that can answer most questions about fishing the Spokane River.

Lastly, if you’re totally new and not ready to invest in all the gear, consider attending free and local events hosting by Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited and Spokane Women on the Fly. Casting classes and on-the-water meet-ups are hosted throughout the year and require no experience or gear to partake. If you do want to attend any of those events, please reach out ahead of time to request gear so enough equipment can be provided for everyone who shows up. The Spokane Fly Fishers club (more on them later) also has loaner gear for students in their classes. In other words, the community can help get you outfitted if you ask.

Now that you’re geared up, let’s talk about what you might catch in these waters—and why the Spokane’s fish community is so remarkable.

Meet Your Neighbors

One of the joys of fishing the Spokane is never quite knowing what might be on the end of your line. This stretch of river (from the Washington-Idaho line to the rapids below the Spokane Rifle Club) is home to a diverse array of fish, both native species that have swum these waters for millennia and introduced species that have become part of the river’s community. Let’s introduce the main characters:

Redband Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri): Redbands are a native subspecies of rainbow trout unique to the Inland Northwest. They are speckled with black spots and sporting a vivid red stripe during spawning season. They’re usually 10 to 16 inches long, but can reach 18+ inches in this river. These trout are a barometer of the river’s health, and they’re the main reason for the selective gear and seasonal closures (to protect them). Catching a redband in an urban river is a special experience—treat them gently and release them quickly so they can live another day.

Westlope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi): Native to Spokane River tributaries, westslope cutthroat are not as common as redband in the main Spokane River today. However, a few may wander in from tributaries (such as from the Couer d’Alene drainage). If you catch a trout with brassy coloring and fine black spots, plus the telltale orange slash under the jaw, you’ve found a cutthroat. They’re a treasured native trout of the region, but consider them a rare bonus catch here.

Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni): Silver, slim, and often underestimated, mountain whitefish are throughout the coldwater sections in the Spokane River. They’re native and tend to school in deeper runs and pools, vacuuming up aquatic insects from the riverbed. Whitefish have small mouths and usually take small nymphs or tiny jigs. Many Spokane anglers have been surprised by a heavy, wriggling whitefish on the end of their line when nymphing deep. Just like trout, whitefish indicate a healthy river and can be fun on light tackle.

Largescale Sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus): Another native that often shocks anglers—these suckers get big (2- to 5-pounds) and you’ll sometimes hook one while nymphing. Olive-green brown with large scales and a downturned mouth, they fight like a wet sock until you try to lift them, then suddenly they have weight! Suckers help clean the river by eating algae and detritus. While not a target for most, they will test your skills as a well-rounded angler and hooking one adds to the Spokane “grand slam” experience. Please handle them gently if you catch one; they’re part of the ecosystem’s cleanup crew. This fish can also be easily misidentified as common carp (note- I have yet to encounter, or see any evidence of, common carp on the Spokane River above Nine Mile Reservoir).

Northern Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus oregonensis): Often mistakenly called “squawfish” (an outdated, derogatory name), pikeminnow are native predatory minnows that can reach 1 to 2 feet long. They have long, torpedo bodies and a mouth built for eating smaller fish. Pikeminnow in the Spokane will hit flies and lures readily—a vigorous 18-inch pikeminnow on a fly rod is actually a heck of a fight!

Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu): Smallmouth bass were introduced into the Spokane (likely migrating downstream from Lake Coeur d’Alene or via “bucket biology”). Over the past few decades, they have established a strong population in the upper river near Post Falls, Idaho. Smallmouth thrive in the warm, lower flows of summer, especially in the Spokane Valley stretch. They are bronze-backed, feisty fish that hit hard and jump high—great sport on a fly rod or spinner. Anglers in July and August often shift focus to smallmouth when the trout sulk in warm water. Poppers, streamers, and jigs will all take bass. However, smallmouth are controversial because they predate on young trout and have contributed to native redband declines in the upper river. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has even undertaken removal efforts (more on that in a moment).

Brown Trout (Salmo trutta): Brown trout are a trout that were once stocked in the Spokane River in decades past. They are few, but as mentioned, anglers occasionally catch some big brown trout in the upper Spokane in areas where more trees are in the water. Brown trout are crafty, often nocturnal, and can tolerate warmer water a bit more than redband.

Others Fish Species: There are a few other fish you might run into like bluegill and reports of even northern pike (a different species from northern pikeminnow). The river is a dynamic, changing ecosystem and the collection of fish species changes throughout the years. If you catch a fish that you are unfamiliar with, consider taking a photo, noting where you caught it, and talk with knowledgeable anglers as to what the species is and what it might tell us about the habitat and biodiversity of the river.

Biodiversity is part of the fun. One could feasibly catch a redband, a northern pikeminnow, a largescale sucker, and a smallmouth bass all in the same day—four very different fish. Beginners especially should celebrate any catch. Each fish species in the river plays a socio-ecological role. And the presence of native species like redbands, whitefish, and suckers indicates a river ecosystem that, despite being urban, still retains some of its historic character. So, be sure to take a moment to learn about the fish you catch, even if it’s not a trout. It’s all part of connecting to the Spokane River.

One issue worth addressing is the practice by some anglers of removing or killing fish from the Spokane River in the name of “protecting” native species like redband trout. I strongly encourage releasing all fish you catch back into the river. On several occasions, I’ve met anglers who mistakenly identified northern pikeminnow or largescale suckers as harmful to redbands and killed them. While their intentions may have been good, they were actually eliminating species that have coexisted and coevolved with redband trout and other native Spokane River fish for thousands of years.

Rather than targeting certain fish for removal, the best action anglers can take is to release their catch and advocate for native fish through policies, regulations, and public outreach. If we—as individuals, as a city, and as a state—want to truly support native fish, our focus should be on habitat revitalization (restoring riparian zones, modifying or removing dams) and reducing pollution in the river. These long-term efforts do far more to protect and sustain native species.

Largescale Sucker

A Word on the WDFW Smallmouth Bass Removal Effort

In recent years (2021 to 2025), the Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife has actively worked to reduce smallmouth bass numbers in the upper stretch of the river (only from the Idaho line to Harvard Road). Biologists electroshocked and removed thousands of bass from that section, aiming to give young redband trout a better chance to survive without so many predators. This has led to a curious situation—in summer, the state line to Harvard stretch is nearly devoid of any catchable fish. The trout, whitefish, and largescale suckers can’t survive the hot water there in late-June through September, so they migrate downstream to cooler refuges, and now the smallmouth bass are largely gone (except for around Barker Road and closer to the Idaho border) The result: newcomers who try fishing right at the state line in summer often don’t catch any fish and wonder why. As a community, some anglers have felt frustrated—that section used to be an easy place to catch a few smallmouth and introduce kids to fishing, but now it’s often empty water, which can discourage people from becoming engaged with the river. Others support the removal of bass for the sake of trying to recover some of the native trout population. Regardless, it’s a complex issue playing out in real time, where broader conversations must involve discussions on water quality issues, community engagement, and revitalization of aquatic habitats.

If you would like to learn more about this, watch this short video I made about Fishing the Upper Spokane River.

A Word on Water Quality and the Overall Fish Population

The Spokane River has dealt with, and continues to deal with, a host of problems that affect the overall population of fish along the river. Managing, reducing, and revitalizing the river is a involved, long-term endeavor. Below is just a brief explanation of water quality issues along the Spokane River:

Heavy metals: Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc, from old mines up in the Idaho panhandle are toxic to many aquatic invertebrates (stoneflies, mayflies, caddisflies, etc.) which reduces the amount of food for fish. Much effort has gone into reducing and eliminating toxic mine tailings from entering the Spokane watershed.
Forever chemicals: The Spokane River contains pollutants like PCBs and PFAS—long-lasting industrial chemicals found in things like non-stick cookware and firefighting foam. These “forever chemicals” build up in fish and can harm both wildlife and humans if consumed. While water quality regulations have reduced some sources, legacy pollution and ongoing runoff continue to pose risks.
Water control infrastructure: Dams and the armoring of riverbanks (using concrete and/or large pieces of rubble and rock called riprap) have channelized much of the Spokane River upstream of the Spokane Falls. Channelization reduces habitat complexity in a river which reduces the overall quantity and biodiversity of fish species in a river system.
Sedimentation: Hangman Creek, a tributary that converges with the Spokane River downstream of Sandifur Bridge at People’s Park, turns brown during the winter and spring as snowmelt and rain wash sediment (sand, silt, and clay) into the creek. This is due to poor land-use practices such as tilling fields up the creek’s edge and removing trees and other vegetation from along the banks (the riparian zone). Sediment is a part of a healthy aquatic ecosystem, but too much sediment (called sedimentation) leads to a host of negative effects such as covering and smothering trout eggs that are laid in nesting beds. Many organizations, including Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited, have been diligently working with landowners to reduce the amount of sediment entering the creek.
Sewer systems: Spokane has two sewer systems that manage municipal waste and stormwater. These systems are called a combined sewer overflow system (CSO) and municipal separate stormwater system (MS4). Over the years, the city has invested a lot into overhauling these systems to reduce pollution from entering the river, and more efforts continue to be made. One recent project is the Cochran stormwater infrastructure project, and you can see this project for yourself at Downriver Park. The project captures and treats polluted stormwater, that washes off of roads and into storm drains, before it is released into the river. Signs along Downriver Park provide further details and information about this project.
Municipal Water Use: Much of the Spokane River’s flow, especially in summer, depends on the Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer that lies beneath the Spokane–Coeur d’Alene region. Both people and fish rely on this aquifer, particularly during hot, dry months. When Spokane residents use water—from taking showers to watering lawns—they’re drawing from the same aquifer that helps sustain river flow. Of all municipal uses, irrigating lawns is among the most impactful. Over time, reducing this kind of water use can make a meaningful difference in protecting the health of the river and the fish that depend on it.
Trash: It’s not uncommon to see a shopping cart in the water or an old bicycle frame snagged on a log. Much of this trash is single-use disposable plastic which breaks down into smaller particles and is ingested by fish. We’ll discuss later what you can do to help out with efforts to clean up trash along the Spokane River.

Finding Spots to Fish and Float Along the Spokane River

With fishing gear in hand and knowledge of the fish at hand, where should you go? We are fortunate to have extensive public access to the Spokane River, and there are many places where you can get down to the river to go fishing. Here are a couple resources to help you locate spots to access the water:

Spokane River Water Trail (spokaneriver.net/watertrail): Detailed info on river access points, flow information, and recreational tips.
OnWater App: A mobile app that provides GPS maps of rivers (including the Spokane) with access points, float mileages, etc. It is very seful for planning a float or finding public land access to go fishing from the bank or wading into the water. The app also includes information about water access laws and fishing regulations for the Spokane River.

If you have a small, portable watercraft, like a raft, float tube, kayak, canoe, stand-up paddle board, you can access miles and miles of water. If your watercraft is small and can be deflated, then that opens up opportunities to float various sections of the river and use public transportation, a rideshare service, or an e-scooter or e-bike to get back your vehicle or back home. Whether you have a watercraft or are fishing the river on-foot, exploring various stretches of the river is exciting and fun, especially when you the day is spent together with family and friends, and maybe a stop at a local restaurant, café, or even heading to The Pavilion to listen to a summer concert after fishing along Riverfront Park.

Avoid Trespassing and Reporting False "No Trespassing" signs

When locating spots to fish along the Spokane River, you want to make sure you are not trespassing on private property. Generally speaking, the public has the right to fish along the Spokane River up to the high water mark. And presumably the public also has the right to wade because the state owns the river bed. The "high water mark" is defined as:

"That mark that will be found by examining the bed and banks and ascertaining where the presence and action of waters are so common and usual, and so long continued in all ordinary years, as to mark upon the soil a character distinct from that of the abutting upland, in respect to vegetation as that condition exists on June 1, 1971, as it may naturally change thereafter, or at it may change thereafter in accordance with permits issued by a local government or the Department of Ecology.
"Provided, that in any area where the ordinary high water mark cannot be found, the ordinary high water mark adjoining salt water shall be the line of mean higher high tide and the ordinary high water mark adjoining fresh water shall be the line of mean high water."

On the Spokane River, the high water mark is best seen during May during spring run-off when snowmelt swells the river level and the water rises along the riverbank. But each year is different based on snowpack and how much the river rises. The high water mark on the Spokane, generally speaking, is visible along the river as:

Where more rocks, boulders, and gravel are visible along the riverbank.
The presence of certain riparian vegetation, such as coyote willow and cottonwood, aspen, and alder trees. Ponderosa pine are usually growing above the high water mark.

Below is an example photo of the high water mark along the Spokane River:

So, if you are wanting to walk and fish the Spokane River, you'll want to:

Find a piece of public land from which you can access the water. You can use apps like OnWater Fish or OnX Hunt to locate public land on the map.
Walk up or down the river below the high water mark.
After fishing, leave the river by going back through public land.

The last piece of resource to mention is the Spokane County SCOUT tool which provides official property maps, parcel boundaries, and ownership records. If you are using OnWater Fish or OnX Hunt, you can double check a piece of property by using the SCOUT tool. On a couple of occasions, I have encountered "No Trespassing" and "Private Property" signs that were on public land (such as Spokane City or Spokane County parcels). If you also find such signs, you can:

Confirm that the signs are on public land by using the Spokane County SCOUT mapping tool.
Take a photo of the signs and note their exact location in latitude and longitude by using any mapping tool (like Google or Apple Maps).
Leave the sign alone. If approached by the person who put the sign up, just leave the area.
Report the sign to the City of Spokane via the Code Enforcement online reporting tool (usually under "Code and Zoning Violations").

Efforts to report these false "No Trespassing" or "Private Property" signs helps to protect public land for you, other anglers, and other river users. If you also encounter "No Fishing" signs, you can report those to WDFW Enforcement.

Now that you have some general information on gear, fish species, and access laws, let's take a deeper look at the different sections of the Spokane River. I’ll break down the Spokane River into three distinct sections—each with its own personality—and explore how to fish them.

The Upper Reach: State Line to Upriver Dam

Along this stretch of the river, from the Washington-Idaho state line to Upriver Dam, the Centennial Trail runs alongside much of it, so access is relatively easy. You’ll find riffles, gravel bars, and bouldery runs interspersed with deeper pools—classic trout water fall through spring, and smallmouth bass habitat in summer.

Hydrology and Aquifer Influence Along the Upper Reach

The Spokane River originates out from Lake Coeur d’Alene and travels for roughly nine miles before reaching the Post Falls Dam. The section of the Spokane River above Post Falls Dam is an impoundment, where the water is shallow and warm during summer months. As the water flows through the Post Falls Dam, it winds through the Spokane Valley until it slows above Upriver Dam.

One defining feature of the upper Spokane is its interaction with the Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. This huge underground aquifer trades water with the river (and the water we use for drinking, taking showers, or watering lawns comes from this same aquifer). Upstream of about Sullivan Road, the river is often a losing reach—meaning water seeps out of the river into the aquifer, causing flows to drop and water temperatures to rise in mid-summer.

Downstream of Barker Road, the river starts becoming a gaining reach, where cold groundwater bubbles up into the river, cooling it down. What this means for you: In early summer, the upper river fishes well for trout; but by early July, it can become too warm for them, and smallmouth bass take over (the bass that are left). Trout will literally move downstream seeking water that is in the 60s or colder. So, it helps to have a thermometer on hand and check the water temperatures as you fish. If you are looking for trout, you will need to be fishing in water that is colder than 68F.

Understanding this, you can plan accordingly:

Late May to late June: Upper river trout fishing is better. Cold flows from spring runoff keep it trout-friendly initially. In fact, guides often say now is the time to fish it before it warms. You might find big trout (and even some browns) willing to chase streamers in June.
Mid-summer (July to September): Transition time. Water from the Post Falls Dam is very warm; if you measure it, some days it’s 75–80F at the state line—unlivable for trout. Trout vacate downstream to cooler refuges. That water temperature is far more suited for smallmouth bass. In a couple places, especially around the state line and Barker Road, you can still come across some sizeable smallmouth bass that have escaped WDFW removal efforts.
Fall and Winter (late September to mid-March): As water cools back down into the 60’s, trout return upstream. Autumn can actually offer a brief window where trout spread back into upper valley spots that were too hot in summer. Nymphing can pick up whitefish and trout in deeper runs as early as late September. By winter, trout will be holding in slower, deep pools to conserve energy—it’s tougher fishing but possible on mild winter days with nymphs.

What to Expect Fishing the Upper Reach

In late spring and early summer, wading the upper reach of the Spokane is quite enjoyable. When spring runoff begins to recede, there are a number of more shallow areas and spots to hop across boulders. Target the riffles and runs for trout feeding lanes. Dry-dropper rigs shine here—for example, a Chubby Chernobyl or Foamulator with a beadhead pheasant tail drifted through a riffle leading into a pool often draws strikes. If you’re nymphing, focus on the heads of pools and the deeper slots along seams. In the slower pools, early morning or late evening might see rises (try a mayfly spinner pattern or small caddis).

In summer, if you embrace going after the few remaining smallmouth bass, hit structure: submerged rocks, downed trees, or drop-offs. Cast upstream of a boulder in the middle of the river and let your jig or streamer sink, then strip it by—a smallmouth might dart out from the eddy behind the rock to grab it. On calm evenings, fish the slower flat water with a surface plug or fly—bass often “pop” baitfish near the surface at dusk. Fly anglers, this is when you break out the 6 or 7-weight rod with a deer-hair popper or diver. Also, don’t neglect the shady side of the river; bass (and trout) seek shade on hot days. A deep slot along a shaded bank mid-day can surprisingly hold a trout even if the shallows are too warm.

While the river runs through the populated valley, much of this stretch feels surprisingly secluded once you’re down on the water. Tall ponderosas line the banks, osprey and kingfishers patrol overhead, and if you fish on a weekday you might see only a few cyclists on the trail and just a couple other anglers. It’s a wonderful place for beginners to get the hang of river fishing without crowds. Just be mindful of private property—stick to public access points or below the high-water mark when walking the riverbed (Washington law allows public passage on the riverbed).

Upstream of Upriver Dam is another impoundment where the water gets deeper and it is tough to fish from the bank, especially when fish head into deeper water during summer months. If you have a watercraft, like float tube, kayak, or small boat, then it is worth using any lake-fishing techniques to search for fish. Be aware, boats with outboard motors are also allowed on the impoundment so keep your eye out for larger boats cruising or speeding along the water.

Before we leave the upper Spokane, again, keep the temperature in mind: carry a thermometer. If you see water temps hitting the high 60s°F, consider moving downstream to cooler stretches to target trout, or switch to bass mode. Trout are most active when water is in the 50s to low 60s when their metabolism kicks in and they need to eat more. But once it creeps toward 68°F and above, trout get stressed and lethargic so that’s the time to start searching for colder water or warmwater species. Spokane Riverkeeper actually provides an online water temperature map (via monitoring stations at Harvard Rd, etc.) that can show you current temps; it’s worth checking on hot summer days.

Now, let’s continue downstream into the city: the Spokane River as it courses through the urban core of Spokane, from Upriver Dam to the brink of Spokane Falls.

The Middle Reach: Upriver Dam to Spokane Falls

After the Spokane River pours out from Upriver Dam, it enters the city proper. This middle reach runs roughly westward through the Spokane Valley’s west end into Spokane’s downtown. The river passes by neighborhoods, more industrial areas, Gonzaga University, and into the centerpiece of downtown: Riverfront Park and Spokane Falls. Unlike the upper stretch, here you’ll find slower, deeper pools, more human-made modifications (dams, bridges, concrete and riprap riverbanks, etc.), and the influence of city life along the water. But don’t let the cityscape fool you—fish live here too, and some accessible fishing spots make this stretch a great option for after-work casts or fun family outings. Not to mention, getting a bite to eat in downtown and then heading over to Riverfront Park for some fishing is a great way to spend a summer evening.

This reach of the river can be divided up into three sub-reaches:

Upriver Dam to Trent Avenue area: Immediately below Upriver Dam, the river has a short tailrace with riffles and runs. Fishing just below the dam and anywhere there are riffles and runs can be good in throughout the fishing season. Shoreline access is somewhat limited in this sub-reach.
Gonzaga/U District (Trent Avenue to Division Street): As the river approaches the University District (around Gonzaga), it’s flanked by the Centennial Trail and various access points. The riverbanks are much steeper along this section of river, but there are spots where the water level is higher up and closer to the trail. Large trout can be spotted from above and part of the challenge is figuring out how to cast, hook into, and then land these fish. Be sure to come up with a game plan of how you are going to net the fish before making your cast. If you have a watercraft, especially a paddleboard, then this section of the river holds a lot of opportunity. There is also a paddleboard rental shop (Fun Unlimited) where you can rent a paddleboard to float this section of the river (just note, floating downstream of Division Street is prohibited due to the hazard of the Upper Spokane Falls Dam).
Riverfront Park & Downtown (Division Street to the Spokane Falls): The river splits into channels around the downtown islands and park. This area is highly developed for recreation, with walkways, rails, and the iconic Spokane Falls roaring at the west end. People don’t usually think of fishing right in downtown, yet it’s allowed (and can actually be productive in the calmer stretches above the falls). Riverfront Park’s south channel, for instance, has a gentle flowing side that kids and families often fish (and nearby restrooms and playgrounds make for an easier family outing). Here the atmosphere is city urban—you might be casting a line while joggers and tourists stroll by, perhaps asking if you’ve caught anything. So, be sure to always check behind you before making a backcast! Riverfront Park has many concrete platforms and walkways where you can easily cast a line from the bank and catch trout and largescale suckers, which makes it a highly accessible fishing area for kids or anyone with limited mobility. Again, make sure you come up with a game plan of how you are going to net the fish before you make your cast.

For more of an insider's look into this stretch of the Spokane River (and where a few of the fish might be found), check out this video I made of snorkeling the Spokane River between Spokane Falls Boulevard and Division Street.

One other accessible fishing spot is behind Gonzaga’s campus, sometimes referred to as the “Gonzaga hole.” Additionally, Gonzaga’s Lake Arthur (the “Gonzaga pond”) is a small two-acre pond right by the Spokane River (it once used to be connected to the river) It’s on GU’s campus (near the Jundt Art Center) and occasionally used for events. While not officially a public fishery, it is listed as a year-round fishery by WDFW and some locals have caught bass, sunfish, northern pikeminnow, and largescale suckers. If you have mobility issues or want a calm pond setting for kids, Lake Arthur might be a consideration.

The Lower Reach: Spokane Falls to the Spokane Rifle Club Rapids

If you want to feel removed from the city while still basically being in it, this reach of the Spokane River is your destination. Immediately below the lower Spokane Falls (Monroe Street Dam), the river plunges into a rocky gorge and flows through what is largely parkland—Riverside State Park’s downstream end and the Spokane River Gorge area. Steep basalt cliffs, ponderosa pines, and deep rapids define this stretch.

Hydrology & Environment

Within this stretch of the river, the water is cooled and rejuvenated by the aquifer. Even in the hottest summer, water here often stays in the 60s°F. It’s also aerated by rapids. These conditions are ideal for trout. Additionally, the gorge has more canyon shade and less development (meaning cooler water and better habitat complexity). The riverbed is strewn with boulders and pocket water—perfect hiding and feeding spots for fish. In short, the gorge is the stronghold for coldwater species in the Spokane’s lower reaches (though sightings of smallmouth bass have been observed around the Downriver Disc Golf Course and Downriver Park).

This reach of the river can be divided into three sub-reaches:

Upper Gorge (Monroe Street Bridge to Sandifur Bridge/People’s Park): Just below and downstream of the Monroe Street Bridge, the river is fast with plenty of riffles and runs. People’s Park, at the confluence with Hangman Creek (Latah Creek), offers access on the south side and some gravel bars. This area has some deep holes where whitefish school and big trout occasionally hold. Hangman Creek can muddy the Spokane after rains, but in summer it’s usually low. The Sandifur pedestrian bridge provides foot access to the north side of the river. In this zone, be prepared to also encounter moose as they have been known to venture down to the river during hot summer months just like the rest of us.
Middle Gorge (People’s Park to Bowl & Pitcher): Around TJ Meenach Bridge (and the adjacent Downriver Disc Golf course area), the river has riffles and small islands. Anywhere you spot riffles and rapids is a great place to explore during summer into early fall as trout seek out these turbulent zones. Bowl and Pitcher is a must-see spot—huge house-sized boulders that create a famous rapid and a scenic overlook. There’s a footbridge across the river at Bowl & Pitcher campground. Below that, the river continues with alternating rapids and pools, all great places to explore with a fishing rod.
Lower Gorge (Bowl & Pitcher to the Spokane Rifle Club): Continuing downstream, there are more rapids (The Devil’s Toenail) and, just downstream of the rifle club, are two final sets of riffles. Beyond those last riffles, the river begins to slow down and deepen as it nears Nine Mile Dam. We consider the “gorge” basically ending where the river starts slowing into Nine Mile reservoir (if you do fish the impoundment upstream of Nine Mile Dam, watercraft and lake-style fishing techniques work best).

A Note on Accessing the Water at Downriver Park

At Downriver Park, there is a spot to launch or recover your watercraft if you are using a trailer. There is a large green gate at Downriver Park that controls vehicle access down a gravel road to the boat launch. This gate is secured shut with a combination lock, but the public is allowed to open the gate to back trailers down to the water. If you need the code to that combination lock, contact Spokane Parks and Recreation, Ryan Griffith (rgriffith@spokanecity.org). You can email him to request the code to unlock if you have a good reason (like dropping off a raft). Always immediately lock it behind you if you do get access, and never block the gate. Far too many people have driven their cars down to the water and left them parked there.

Fishing the Gorge

Here you truly feel you’re on a classic trout stream— albeit a rather big one. The flows and depth in spots mean a kayak or raft can be helpful to reach certain holes, but many do just fine wading along the edges and into shallow pockets. The key technique is pocket water fishing—drifting flies or lures through the myriad little pools, seams, and eddies around boulders. Trout love to hang behind or in front of boulders where the current breaks, darting out to grab food. Euro nymphing shines in this scenario: using a long leader, tight line, and heavy nymphs to probe each little pocket. If you’re a fly fisher, give it a shot here—you can often pick up multiple fish from a single boulder garden by working each juicy spot. A dry-dropper rig is also excellent in the gorge’s pocket water; fish will rise to a buoyant dry fly or take the submerged nymph readily when they’re feeding actively.

In summer, it’s not uncommon for water temperatures in the gorge to stay in the mid-60s—even when water temps are 80F upstream at the state line. This cooling effect creates a critical thermal refuge for trout. To help protect them, try to land fish quickly and handle them with care. Sometimes, limiting yourself to just one or two trout—or switching to target a different species—is more than enough to make it a great day on the water.

When flows are too high (say 5,000+ cfs), the gorge is a torrent—still fishable from the bank in a few eddies, but much harder. When flows are too low (under 1,000 cfs, like in summer), fish might be confined to just the deepest holes and get spooky in the skinny runs. A sweet spot is around 1,500 to 2,500 cfs—enough water to keep fish happy and cover for them, but not so much that everything is raging.

Safety in the Gorge

Here especially, felt boots and perhaps a wading staff are your friends. The currents between rocks can be surprisingly strong—a placid-looking pocket might have a chute on its far side that could sweep you. Move deliberately, use a staff to probe depth, and don’t wade beyond knee or thigh deep until you’re sure of your footing. There’s no shame in fishing from shore or a shallow gravel bar. In fact, many trout are caught within a rod’s length of the bank in this kind of water, sitting in the cushion of slow water near shore.

Lastly, the gorge offers plenty of opportunities to float and fish. However, only experienced whitewater folks should float beyond the Spokane Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant, because of the Class III+ rapids like Bowl & Pitcher. If you are less experienced, consider floating the calm sections exiting the river at either Downriver Park or the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant. There are also multiple slower, deeper pools to explore with watercraft like float tubes and paddleboards. In those deeper, calmer pools, plenty of very large trout have been caught by patient and observant anglers using small dry flies during summer and early fall months.

Building Skills and Community: Clubs, Clinics, and Connections

Before we conclude, let’s touch on something that threads through all these sections: community and stewardship. Fishing the Spokane River is not just a solo endeavor—it ties you into a larger community of anglers, advocates, and citizens who care about this river. And with that comes opportunities to learn, give back, and help ensure this urban river becomes healthier and more accessible for future generations.

Getting into fishing, especially fly fishing, can be a bit intimidating alone. The good news is Spokane has a welcoming fishing community with a couple organizations that love to help beginners and engage anglers of all backgrounds. By tapping into these groups, you can accelerate your learning curve and make new fishing buddies in the process.

Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited and Spokane Women on the Fly: Trout Unlimited’s local chapter is conservation-focused but also very angler-friendly. They often have projects like habitat restoration that volunteers can join—it’s a cool way to learn about the river’s ecology firsthand. TU also co-hosts fun events like the “Summer Suds” fishing weekend in summer together with Spokane Women on the Fly. It’s a camp-out fishing meetup that has been running for years. Keep an eye on SFTU’s website or Facebook for other announcements such as free casting lessons and fly tying events.
Spokane Fly Fishers: This is the local fly fishing club, established decades ago. They are a great resource for newcomers. Every year, SFF runs an affordable Fly Fishing School—a multi-week evening class that covers everything from gear and knots to casting, entomology (the study of insects), and where to fish. They also have monthly fly tying events and meetings, often with guest speakers (sometimes biologists or guides sharing tips). SFF also organizes group outings to the river and other nearby local waters.

One thing that stands out about Spokane’s fishing community is that everyone is ultimately connected by their love of fishing. If you’re a beginner, you are exactly who these groups want to welcome. Don’t hesitate to drop by a meeting or event. You might even find a fishing mentor—many experienced anglers love nothing more than passing on their knowledge to an eager newcomer. As you gain skills, you might also consider giving back through these groups—which leads us perfectly into the final topic: stewardship and taking care of the river that takes care of us.

Caring for the Spokane River: Stewardship and Giving Back

Many anglers have grown a deep passion for the Spokane River. It’s hard not to, after a few dawns watching mist rise off the falls, or an evening when a redband trout rises to your fly amid the glow of the sunset. With that love comes a responsibility: to be a good steward of the Spokane River. After all, an urban river faces many challenges—pollution, habitat loss, heavy usage—and its future health depends on those who use it stepping up to protect it.

Pack It In, Pack More of It Out

The simplest but most impactful thing you can do is keep the river clean. Whenever you go fishing, make it a habit to bring a small garbage bag. Collect any fishing line, lure packaging, or other litter you find. There are trash cans at many parks, including tubes to dispense monofilament line that were placed there by TU members—use them.

If every angler hauled out a bit of trash each trip, it would make a huge difference. As an angler, you’re an ambassador out there – if a passerby sees you picking up trash, it sends a positive message that anglers care.

Join a River Cleanup or Monitoring Program

The Spokane Riverkeeper hosts regular community cleanup events. For example, around Earth Day and throughout summer, they organize volunteers to gather at spots like High Bridge Park or the University District to pick up litter along the riverbanks. They provide gloves, pickers, bags—everything. It’s actually a lot of fun; you meet fellow river-lovers and after a couple hours you see the tangible results of your work in piles of trash removed. These events are family-friendly, so you can bring kids to help instill those values early. Keep an eye on Riverkeeper’s website or social media for cleanup dates, or check out the Spokane River Forum’s “Cleanup Events & Volunteer Opportunities” page.

More recently, the Riverkeeper is now training individuals to help lead clean up events. There has been such an outpouring of interest by Spokane residents to help clean up the river that more volunteers are needed to lead additional clean up events. If you are interested in leading such an event, please reach out to the Riverkeeper.

There are also various other opportunities provided through the Riverkeeper, such as monitoring sediment levels in Hangman Creek and the Spokane River, and helping out with studies to collect and sample crayfish. All of the Riverkeeper events are chances to meet other interested anglers who may become future fishing partners.

Report Pollution or Violations

If you observe something harmful—say, someone dumping something into the river or illegal fishing activity (like using bait or catching fish out of season)—you can take action. Riverkeeper has a page on how to report pollution or poaching. WDFW’s poaching hotline or online form is available for reporting illegal fishing. You can also politely educate fellow anglers if you see them unknowingly doing something against regs (e.g., “Hey, just so you know, this section is single-hook barbless only.”). Most people respond well if you’re friendly.

Support Habitat Restoration

Various groups work on habitat projects, like planting trees along the river (to restore riparian shade which helps cool the water). If you hear of a volunteer day for such a project (often via Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited or the Spokane Riverkeeper), lending a hand not only helps the river but also gives you deeper insight into the river’s ecology. For instance, did you know that a lack of floodplain connection and riparian vegetation exacerbates the river’s temperature issues? Planting native trees and shrubs along the banks provides shade and filters runoff. Volunteers with The Lands Council and Inland Northwest Land Conservancy have been doing plantings—you could join and literally help regrow the river’s “air conditioning.”

Spokane Riverkeeper and SNAP

Earlier we touched trash you’ll find while fishing, and most of that trash originates from homeless camps along the river. It’s a complex social issue that indeed affects the river environment (trash, human waste, fire risk, loss of riparian cover, etc.). If this concerns you, consider supporting Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP)—they have programs directly helping people transition out of homelessness and into stable housing. In fact, SNAP’s homeless outreach team has even partnered with Spokane Riverkeeper for river outreach efforts, recognizing that helping people and helping the river often go hand-in-hand. Long term solutions must also include affordable housing being built and improving access to the green and blue spaces that we all love and need. It’s all connected: a healthier community leads to a healthier river.

Advocacy

As you grow as an angler, you might find yourself becoming an advocate for the river. Perhaps you join others in speaking up at a city council meeting about keeping a certain access open, or you send an email to state representatives to fund Spokane River water quality improvements. Local anglers help make positive changes for the river and all the communities that depend on it. You can be part of that positive pressure. The river can’t speak for itself; anglers and conservationists must be part of its voice.

The Spokane River is a shared treasure. When you take someone new fishing, pass on these ethics. The future of fishing in the Spokane River depends on a culture of care and compassion. Luckily, the more people fall in love with this river, the more they will want to protect it—and you’ll find that passion is contagious.

Your Spokane River Story

As you set out to fish the Spokane River, remember that you’re not just taking part in a recreational activity—you’re becoming part of a story and community bound by this river. Picture yourself a year from now: maybe you’ve landed your first redband trout on a fly near the Bowl and Pitcher, or you guided your child as they reeled in a fish along Riverfront Park. Perhaps you joined a Riverkeeper cleanup, and now when you walk those banks you point to where you pulled out a half-buried tire. These experiences weave you into the Spokane River story.

This river has a way of surprising people. It surprises the newcomer that such clear, cool water and amazing fish exist inside a city. It surprises the seasoned angler on those days when the fish seem to vanish—only to turn up in force the next evening rising to every caddis or blue-winged olive. It even surprises the history books: not long ago, the Spokane was written off by many as polluted and degraded. But today it’s being revitalized and a symbol of the city’s renewal. By fishing it, appreciating it, and advocating for it, you become a character in that story.

So, welcome to the Spokane River. Embrace the learning process—the tangles, the missed strikes, the days you slipped and get dunked (it happens to all of us!). Cherish the beauty of sunrise beneath the Monroe Street Bridge or when golden light filters through ponderosas onto the riffle you’re fishing. Swap tales with fellow anglers at local meet ups or on the trail. And never stop exploring: from swift currents carving through layers of basalt rock, to the roaring falls downtown, to the serene pools under piney bluffs in the gorge—the Spokane River has many faces and each visit will show you something new.

Happy fishing, and remember, the river is a gift—enjoy it, care for it, and it will reward you with experiences and memories that last a lifetime.

Additional Resources and Links

For further reading and to deepen your knowledge, check out these resources:

Book, The Spoken River: An excellent book, available at several local bookstores in-town, that dives into great detail about the Spokane River, including its rich history.
Upper Columbia United Tribes – For more information about efforts to reintroduce salmon back into the Spokane River, be sure to check out efforts by the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Upper Columbia United Tribes.
TheTripleHaul.com: This site has a variety how-to articles (by local author Marc Fryt) on techniques mentioned in this guide, like dry-dropper rigs, nymphing rigs, fly fishing leaders, and finding trout in pocket water. These are great supplemental reads to up your game.
Spokane Valley—Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer: For more information about our aquifer, click here.
Waterwise Spokane: For information on reducing water use in your home check out Waterwise Spokane which includes free information on how to convert grass lawns into more sustainable yards (known as SpokaneScape).