Washington lake guide
Badger Lake Fishing
Badger Lake is a Spokane County trout and kokanee option with public WDFW access.
LocationSpokane County, Washington
Primary targetsKokanee, Rainbow Trout
Best seasonSpring to early summer
Lake size246 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Max depth110 feet
Elevation2,178 feet
Summer cautionWind
Lake depth map
Depth contours may take a little time to load. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Contour line20 ft Visible depth label
Source: Washington State Department of Ecology. Historical survey data may not reflect current water levels or underwater hazards. Informational only; not for navigation.
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What makes Badger Lake distinctive
Badger Lake reaches about 110 feet at its deepest documented point.
Badger Lake is documented in Spokane County County with a dedicated FishyNW fishing and access profile.
Measured & official data
Water Science
Loading available public monitoring and fishery science…
Pass 3 · depth + water column
Seasonal Fish Habitat
Surface · 0 ft
How to read this data
Temperature, dissolved oxygen, clarity, nutrients, chlorophyll-a, pH, and conductivity are observations from public monitoring records and may be historical. Thermocline depth is shown only when FishyNW can derive a strong vertical temperature gradient from a measured profile. It is not treated as a permanent lake characteristic.
Trophic indication uses the Carlson Trophic State Index only when FishyNW can normalize a measured chlorophyll-a, Secchi, or total-phosphorus value. It is a derived ecological indicator, not an agency impairment determination.
Seasonal Fish Habitat is shown only when verified bathymetry overlaps a same-day, same-station temperature and dissolved-oxygen profile. It is a historical screening snapshot, not a live prediction of where fish are located.
For lake trout, FishyNW uses the broader USGS-tested screening combination of water at or below 15°C (59°F) and dissolved oxygen at or above 4 mg/L. For other coldwater species, FishyNW does not invent a preferred-temperature threshold; it shows only the observed thermocline-to-oxygenated-depth refuge when the evidence supports it.
Harmful-algae status is never inferred from missing data. Always check the linked state source for current advisories before contact recreation.
Open matched Water Quality Portal recordsFishery record
Documented fish species
These species come from the lake record. Open a species guide for identification, seasonal behavior, and practical tactics without confusing general species guidance with a lake-specific survey result.
Trout and salmon
Kokanee
Troll small dodgers, hoochies, wedding rings, or spinners.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Rainbow Trout
Use bait, small spinners, spoons, or slow trolling depending on access.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Stocking information
Badger Lake Fish Stocking
Recent stocking information summarized from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Dates and quantities can change. Always verify current fishing rules with the official agency before fishing.
Official stocking history
Five-year summary · 2022–2026
View agency record Fish stocked231,012
Stocking events20
Years stocked5
Species stocked3
Species in this period: Cutthroat, Kokanee, Rainbow
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2026 | Cutthroat | 20,017 | 21.5 fish/lb (~0.05 lb each) | SPOKANE HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
| May 11, 2026 | Rainbow | 9,849 | 113 fish/lb (~0.01 lb each) | SPOKANE HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Last checked: Aug 27, 2026 6:40am
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
6
verified signals
Research & surveys
Agency-backed record
Use the evidence
Turn records into a fishing plan
- Compare survey evidence with the seasonal guide.
- Use the map to connect depth, access, and structure.
- Confirm current rules and access before your trip.
Trip conditions
Current conditions
Loading the local forecast. Check access and official notices before leaving.
TodayLoading
WindLoading
GustsLoading
Rain chanceLoading
Four day outlook
Tools
Today's Lure Pick
Open Tools for species-specific lure guidance.
Angler interpretation
How the fishery changes through the seasons
This is the practical layer: use it alongside the documented species, depth, stocking, survey, access, and regulation record above. The current season opens first.
Spring
trout, kokanee- Start here
- Cooler water, recent stocking, fish moving shallow, and protected shorelines or inlets that warm first.
- Watch for
- Cold fronts, changing water levels, muddy inflow, and early-season ramp conditions.
Summer
kokanee early- Start here
- Fish early or late, then adjust toward deeper water, shade, vegetation, or comfortable temperature zones.
- Watch for
- Wind, weeds, algae, heat, and heavier boat traffic.
Fall
trout- Start here
- Cooling water, shoreline structure, points, weed edges, and simple presentations that let you cover water.
- Watch for
- Wind on open water, rapidly changing weather, and shorter daylight windows.
Winter
trout- Start here
- Legal open-water or ice access, stable depth zones, and conservative cold-weather trip plans.
- Watch for
- Ice safety where relevant, ramps, road conditions, cold-water exposure, and current rules.
Getting on the water
Access and launches
WDFW access
Sorry, there are no mapped boat ramps for this lake yet. Check the access information below for other ways to reach the water.
Official field updates Recent surveys and fishing pressure
Official surveys and pressure information can help with trip planning. Conditions change, and these updates do not guarantee current fishing.
Kokanee, Rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife source check includes catch, creel, harvest, or angler effort language for Badger Lake. Use this as a recent planning clue for Kokanee, Rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat, not a live bite report.
Kokanee, Rainbow Trout
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife source check includes catch, creel, harvest, or angler effort language for Badger Lake. Use this as a recent planning clue for Kokanee, Rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat, not a live bite report.
Kokanee, Rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat
WDFW says Badger Lake is a popular lowland trout lake, annually stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout fry, and also receives a modest number of kokanee each year.
Kokanee, Rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat
WDFW says Badger Lake is stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout fry and a modest number of kokanee each year. Use as a stocked trout/kokanee planning signal.
Kokanee, Rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife source check includes stocking or hatchery context for Badger Lake. This can help with trout family planning, but does not guarantee catch rates.
Kokanee, Rainbow Trout
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife source check includes stocking or hatchery context for Badger Lake. This can help with trout family planning, but does not guarantee catch rates.
Local angler stops
Nearby bait & tackle
Independent and locally owned shops near this water. Call ahead if you need a specific bait or item.
Elephant Boys Fishing & Camping Store
Local fishing and camping storeSpokane Valley, Washington · Local tackle, rods, reels, live bait, ice, and fishing-trip supplies.
Silver Bow Fly Shop
Independent fly shopSpokane Valley, Washington · Independent Spokane-area fly shop with local reports, gear, education, and guided trips.
Local-business listings can change. FishyNW does not rank shops by payment or sponsorship. Verify current hours and inventory before driving.
Keep exploring
Nearby waters
Chapman Lake
about 3.0 miles away
Chapman Lake is a notable Spokane County bass and kokanee water whose current limitation is access: public motorized…
Williams Lake about 3.3 miles awayWilliams Lake is a Spokane County trout lake with spring and fall fishing appeal.
Amber Lake about 3.8 miles awayAmber Lake is a specialized Spokane County trout fishery built around selective gear, large rainbow and cutthroat trout,…
Bonnie Lake about 5.8 miles awayBonnie Lake is a productive scablands warmwater fishery best known for perch, crappie, and largemouth bass. Access is…
After the trip
Log what happened on the water
Use CatchSignal for catch reports, trip history, photos, and community activity. Keep your fishing history while controlling how much location detail you share.
Sources & feedback
Verified resources
Official links for this lake
Open the source that matches what you are planning.
Community feedback
See something that needs an update?
Send the correction and, when possible, the source. FishyNW reviews submissions before changing the guide.