Northwest Fishing Reports

Does anyone have any direct experience fishing the other handful of lakes within the Colville Reservation? I am talking about, Bufallo lake, Upper Goose, McGinnes, LeFleur,
Etc. etc. and still others. Bufallo seems to be the most popular.
I am well versed in Omak lake, and well versed in the tribal permit, so not asking about that.

I'd like to put a 3 day weekend together and take out my Pram for it's maiden voyage, fly fishing, crawfishing, etc. Any/all species is cool. Just want to hear which alternative Colville Res. lake you recommend.

I have fished a couple up there but has been a while. Buffalo was okay but the fish were on the small side, 8"-10" rainbows and a few small largemouth. Twin lakes was a blast but more for quantities of fish rather than quality. We could catch 50-60 largemouth a day but largest was about 2lbs. Caught some nice brook trout trolling with spoons and spinners and some decent rainbows. I have always wanted to go back to Twin with a flyrod for bass but have not made it. I think in the evening and morning with a popper would be too much fun!

eat-sleep-fish wrote:I have fished a couple up there but has been a while. Buffalo was okay but the fish were on the small side, 8"-10" rainbows and a few small largemouth. Twin lakes was a blast but more for quantities of fish rather than quality. We could catch 50-60 largemouth a day but largest was about 2lbs. Caught some nice brook trout trolling with spoons and spinners and some decent rainbows. I have always wanted to go back to Twin with a flyrod for bass but have not made it. I think in the evening and morning with a popper would be too much fun!

That's what I'm talking about. Thanks for your input, 'eat-sleep-fish''

Do you recall any camping opportunities at any of the lakes. I know about the camping at Omak, but like I said, really want to hit these small lakes, and kind of be camped close by, security, etc.

looks like there is a resort on both North and South Twin Lakes. I have only fished South so not sure if North Twin is any good or not. Rainbow Beach on North and Hartmans on South if you want to look them up. I think they are connected by a canal and if the boat is not too big, you can travel between both, depending on water level of course.

I fished Buffalo this spring and landed a nice 23" rainbow, my personal best. I also caught a nice sized crappie, but not much else. The lake is supposed to be great for crawfish and I have seen many of them, or at least moults in the past. Also, maybe a couple of springs ago the bass were plentiful and a good size, but they were in spawn and wouldn't bite anything.

My fishing at McGinnis is limited, but I do seem to recall a decent rainbow bite, in numbers at least.

In additional to the tribal license, be aware that the tribe can also have its own seasons for different species.

Good luck.

Never fished most of them but always hear about Buffalo and Twin.

Buffalo looks really deep but does look like it has some good bass habitat and shallow flats. Are there largemouth or smallmouth in there?

I should be going to Beefalo in Oct. Been to hot, to damn smokey, etc. Looking forward to what is supposed to be an excellent crayfish lake as well.