Lake Profile: Silver Lake (Spokane County)

[Don Wittenberger]

I haven’t visited this lake yet, so this profile is based on WDFW and Dep't of Ecology data, maps, etc. Silver Lake is about 10 miles west of Spokane just off I-90, near the town of Medical Lake. Fairchild Air Force Base lies immediately north of the lake. This lake was stocked with tiger muskies in 2002, and has 40-inch fish over 40 inches. It has a WDFW boat launch with two concrete plank ramps and ample parking. Due to its proximity to Spokane and easy access, it's a popular recreation lake and the launch area often is crowded. Camping is available at two private resorts, Picnic Pines and Ruby’s Resort,* on the lake.

Silver Lake is a mesotrophic natural lake covering 486 acres with a maximum depth of 80 feet and 8.7 miles of shoreline. It is 3¼ miles long, averages about 1/3 mile wide, and runs in a north-south direction. The south end is fairly shallow. At the north end, a road embankment separates it from North Silver Lake. The shoreline is partially developed with about 150 to 200 private homes but has timber on the east shore. The lake's elevation is 2,341 feet.

To reach the WDFW boat launch, take the Four Lakes exit from I-90 and go south on state Highway 940 for ¼ mile, then turn right onto W. Medical Lake - Four Lakes Rd. and follow it for 3 miles; then turn left on S. Freeman Dr. and come to the WDFW access in about 200 feet.

* Ruby’s Resort was for sale in 2006, and I don’t know its current status.

[jmay]

Silver is one of my regular lakes over the last 10 years. It is open year round and there are a ton of other quality lakes within a 20 mile radius so it is largely overlooked except by warmwater people. The boat launch has two concrete pads, however your trailer axels normally have to go beyond the concrete to get your boat to float and can be a little tricky. You can get a lot of jet ski and waterskiers in the summer months. Bass and blue bill can be caught all summer. During the spring some planter trout. There is a fair number of perch as well and although I have not caught one I have seen other pull some large Muskie's.

North Silver Lake is a selective gear lake across the "steet". It is very small is best fished from a float tube. It was restocked a few years ago