Coffee Pot Lake

Host: Mike Sportelli

Campsite: There are seven campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each has a fire ring and picnic table. There’s also a vault toilet, but no potable water.

Fishing: Equally regarded as a terrific rainbow trout and largemouth bass fishery, fly anglers usually target the big, meaty trout. Coffeepot is open to fishing March 1 through September 30th and the regulations dictate barbless hooks and no bait allowed. You’re allowed to harvest one trout per day, 18-inches or larger. This is a common place to find game wardens, so don’t forget your fishing license. If in a boat remember your PFD (personal floatation device) and a whistle (seriously). Besides the trout and bass, you might also encounter perch, bullhead, black crappy and sunfish.

Coffeepot Lake Access: From Spokane take I90 west to Hwy 2 to the town of Davenport. Take Hwy 28 South to Harrington, In Harrington take a right on Coffee Pot Rd E, stay on this road for 15 miles mi until you see the sign to turn right on the gravel road down to the boar ramp and campground access.  The best fishing time is during the fall months.  Anglers are also advised that wind can become very strong. 

Gear: It is best to always bring two rods, one with a floating line and the other a super-fast, full-sinker. Early and late in the day fishing the floating line first and hang chironomids or balanced leeches under a strike indicator. When the shallow-water fishing begins to taper off (generally as the day heats up) you can switch to the full-sinking setup. You can do a slow troll from either a boat or float tube in areas of the lake that have depth and dropoff areas with streamers, damselfly or water boatman patterns. 

Flies: Chironomids, Blob Flies, Balanced Leeches.