So You Want To Go Fishing!

The Sprague area is home to many fishing lakes.  Just 2.5 miles west of town is, of course, Sprague Lake.  There are some big fish to be had in the lake.  The lake is six miles long so there is plenty of room for your boat, with or without motor.  And you'll also enjoy plenty of privacy, if that's what you're looking for, due to the size of the lake.  Fishing is great all around... there's Fishtrap Lake, accessible by hiking, biking, horeseback riding, and not least of all, automobile.  Just take the Fishtrap Lake Road.  Follow it down to the lake and you'll find the Fishtrap Lake Resort where you can launch your boat and park your car and trailer.  If you're a travel trailer camper they have a lovely campground for your pleasure and convenience.  Other lakes afford the opportunity for winter fishing, like Hog Lake and 4th of July Lake.  There is also Downs Lake nearby, and Williams Lake.  At Williams Lake you'll find exquisite dining at Klink's at Williams Lake Resort.  Also available at Williams Lake is Xanny's Restaurant at Bunker's Resort. Both Williams Lake and Downs Lake will be found down the Williams Lake Road which is about about 3.5 miles east of Sprague off the Sprague Highway.  You'll enjoy your ride through the countryside filled with breathtaking coulees and wild animals, well, deer anyway.

TAKE A HIKE!

Hike along 14 miles of primitive trails that meander near Fishtrap and Hog lakes.  These trails are also ideal for mountain biking or horseback riding.  This area is great for those of you who like 'pack-it-in and pack-it-out' camping.  Just set up camp whereever you find a breathtaking view or quick access to the lake.  You'll wind through a gently sloping forest and pass by small ponds, wetlands, and rock outcrops.  You'll see wildlife of all sorts, including cattle.  In the spring there are wildflowers all over the place!  You'll want to start your wildflower search on the trail to Farmer's Landing, but first, be sure to get a map from the kiosk located near the ranch house, a short drive off of the Sprague Hwy, down the road where the official BLM sign is posted.  Numerous spring flowers will grab your attention.  Be sure to bring your camera to take plenty of pictures, not flowers, so other visitors can enjoy them, too.  Click the links above or scroll down to learn more about the Sprague area and Fishtrap Recreation Area.

4th of July Lake

4th of July Lake is a darling little lake just a few miles south of Sprague off S.R. 23.  Oh, did I say little lake?  After an extensive bicycle ride recently I discovered that this lake has many turns in it and what you see at first sight is just one small part of a rather large lake.  It is open for fishing in the winter only.  If you're a mountain biker, you can slip around the gate and ride down to the lake.  There are some great biking trails in the surrounding area, as well.  Take only pictures... if you're caught fishing you will be fined.

Williams Lake

Click picture for full size image

Sprague Lake

Folsom Farm Historic Folsom Farm was originally homesteaded in the early 20th century, around 1902.  Back then the wetlands and meadows were drained for farming.  Even though farming has long since ceased on this land the meadows were not restored until 1994.  You'll find interpretive signs around the Folsom farmbuildings.  Remember to close any gates through which you pass!

Smick Meadows Wherever there is water, there is wildlife to watch.  Stop at the viewing station (just out of the picture) for a look at Northern Shoveler and Spotted Sandpiper.  Coot, Mallard, Black Tern, and Killdeer nest and raise their young throughout the summer.  Prairie Falcon and American Kestrel also nest nearby.  You might see Great-Horned Owl, Red-Tailed Hawk, and Red-Breasted Nuthatch at any time of year.  If you are a bird-watcher, you will love Smick Meadows!  Other wildlife abounds at Smick, as well.  If you look closely, through binoculars, you might see a turtle or two sunning themselves on a log.  Smick can be reached easily from Fishtrap Road via access road - remember to close the gate - else the cattle will escape.  This road is rough, but auto friendly, with a parking area near the Folsom Farm and Smick Meadows.  Be sure to pick up your area map at the kiosk near the ranch house, down the road with the official BLM sign for Fishtrap, just a short distance off the Sprague Highway. Fishtrap Lake Fishtrap Lake is about three miles in length and is a main attraction of the 7,000 acre Fishtrap Recreation Area.  Much of it is surrounded by high basalt cliffs.  A variety of trees and wildflowers populate the area.  Besides the pine forests, you'll find shrub-steppe, and Palouse grassland.  The area is managed for its important wildlife habitat, as well as its recreational opportunites, including fishing (b y o boat), hunting, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, and of course, hiking.  There are several wetlands, numerous meadows, and awe-inspiring basalt cliffs.  Along with Fishtrap Lake the other major lake is Hog Lake.  The area can easily be reached from Sprague by driving east on the Sprague Highway, aka Old U.S. 10, to the public access road.  If you're coming from east of Sprague via I-90 you can leave the freeway at Exit 254, Fishtrap, and follow the Sprague Highway until you see the BLM sign for Fishtrap.  Photos by: Kriss McLaughlin

September 7, 2007