Bayley Lake

Host: Bill White
Check in with host in parking lot for upper boat launch on north side between 8-9 am.

General Info: Bayley Lake is a pretty little 16-acre lake surrounded by mountains. It’s fly-fishing, catch-and-release only. You may not keep any fish and the inlet stream is closed to fishing. No motors of any type. {It was treated last Fall for invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil.} Late May is usually peak fishing season at the lake but it can also be the early start of the tick season, so bring repellent, just in case.

Suggested Flies: Woolly Buggers, Leaches & Balanced Leaches, Scuds, Chironomids, Pheasant tails and Olive Willys, all in small sizes 12-18. Consider intermediate sink line, sink tip or floating line with split shot.

Directions: Ten miles north-northeast of Chewelah in the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge run by the US Forest Service Dept. {USFSD advises against following the Google map routing thru Chewelah despite seeming shorter}

Take US-395 north to Arden, and turn onto Hall Rd, go 0.2 mi turn left onto Old Arden Hwy, 0.5 mi right onto Artman-Gibson Rd. 3.8 mi to Kitt-Narcisse Rd, then 2.2 mi right on Bear Creek, then 6.7 miles to Forest Service Rd 9522. Follow 2.5 mi to north side of lake.

Food & Facilities: There is a restroom at the parking lot. This is a day outing so you are responsible for your own food, lunch and snacks. Bring drinking water.

Suggestions: Float tube or pontoon type watercraft recommended but not required. There is some shoreline fishing access around the lake. There is also an easy hiking trail between Bayley Lake and Potter’s Pond (also fishable).