Washington lake guide
Curlew Lake Fishing
Curlew Lake near Republic is a year-round Ferry County fishery for planted rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, tiger muskie, yellow perch, kokanee and other species. WDFW highlights spring and early-summer trout, summer/fall bass, abundant perch, public access at Curlew Lake State Park, and winter ice-fishing opportunity.
LocationFerry County, Washington
Primary targetsKokanee, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass
Best seasonSpring through fall
Lake size861.4 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Average depth43 feet
Max depth130 feet
Elevation2,354 feet
Public launches1
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 Curlew Lake distinctive
Curlew Lake reaches about 130 feet at its deepest documented point.
FishyNW documents 9 fish species here, giving Curlew Lake an unusually broad mix of fishing opportunities.
Curlew Lake is documented in Ferry 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 recordsOfficial depth chart
Official static bathymetry
Interactive contours available
Curlew Lake official depth chart
Open the official depth publication to inspect the lake chart. This static survey complements interactive contours when available and should not be used as a navigation chart.
Fishery 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
Bass and sunfish
Smallmouth Bass
Focus on rock, points, breaks, and transitions.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Largemouth Bass
Look for weeds, docks, wood, shade, and warmer pockets.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Rainbow Trout
Use bait, small spinners, spoons, or slow trolling depending on access.
View species guide
Perch and pike
Tiger Muskie
See depth, structure, seasonal movement, and presentation tips.
View species guide
Perch and pike
Yellow Perch
Use small jigs, bait, or dropper rigs near schools.
View species guide
Carp and minnows
Northern Pikeminnow
See habitat, seasonal behavior, presentations, and identification details.
View species guide
Carp and minnows
Chiselmouth
See habitat, seasonal behavior, presentations, and identification details.
View species guide
Carp and minnows
Peamouth
See habitat, seasonal behavior, presentations, and identification details.
View species guide
Stocking information
Curlew 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 stocked528,404
Stocking events18
Years stocked5
Species stocked3
Species in this period: Kokanee, Rainbow, Tiger Muskie
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 2026 | Tiger Muskie | 380 | 5.6 fish/lb (~0.18 lb each) | MESEBERG HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
| Oct 10, 2025 | Kokanee | 40,315 | 55 fish/lb (~0.02 lb each) | SPOKANE HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Last checked: Aug 26, 2026 2:32am
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
7
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, bass, 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
bass, panfish, 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, bass, pike or muskie- 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
perch, 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.
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.
Rainbow trout, Tiger muskie
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife source check includes catch, creel, harvest, or angler effort language for Curlew Lake. Use this as a recent planning clue for Rainbow trout, Tiger muskie, not a live bite report.
Rainbow trout, Tiger muskie
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife source check includes fishery survey, sampling, or population context for Curlew Lake. This supports species planning for Rainbow trout, Tiger muskie, not guaranteed success.
Rainbow trout, Tiger muskie
WDFW says Curlew Lake has planted fall-fingerling/net-pen rainbow trout and annually planted tiger muskies. Use as a stocking/management signal.
Rainbow trout, Tiger muskie
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife source check includes stocking or hatchery context for Curlew Lake. This can help with trout family planning, but does not guarantee catch rates.
Yellow perch
WDFW says yellow perch are abundant at Curlew Lake and anglers are encouraged to harvest them, with winter ice fishing access at the state park and private resorts when conditions allow.
Rainbow trout, Largemouth bass, Tiger muskie, Yellow perch
WDFW describes Curlew Lake as a year-round fishery with planted rainbow trout, summer/fall largemouth bass, annually planted tiger muskies, and abundant yellow perch.
Local angler stops
Nearby bait & tackle
Independent and locally owned shops near this water. Call ahead if you need a specific bait or item.
Republic Sales & Service
Independent outdoor sports and fishing storeRepublic, Washington · Locally owned outdoor shop with a substantial fishing-supply selection plus camping and equipment service.
Local-business listings can change. FishyNW does not rank shops by payment or sponsorship. Verify current hours and inventory before driving.
Keep exploring
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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.