FishCondishLake Roosevelt, WA Fishing Report & Live Conditions
Lake Roosevelt, WA fishing report
Lake Roosevelt, the reservoir behind Grand Coulee Dam, offers a diverse fishery that shifts significantly through the year. Walleye are the bread-and-butter species, drawing serious anglers from across the region. Kokanee run strong through summer and into fall, staging near deeper, cooler water as temperatures climb. Rainbow trout are most active in spring and again in fall when surface temps cool into that productive 50-65 degree range, and they can be surprisingly large given the forage base this impoundment provides.
For walleye, target rocky points, submerged structure, and transition edges where gravel meets soft bottom, using jig-and-minnow combinations or bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses — dawn and dusk bites are most reliable. Kokanee respond well to small dodger-and-wedding-ring setups trolled at depth; find the thermocline and you find the fish. Trout cruise shallower during cooler months and can be intercepted with spinners or bait near tributary inflows, especially when spring runoff draws them to feeding lanes.
Lake Roosevelt, WA river flow
The closest active USGS gauge to Lake Roosevelt, WA is SANPOIL RIVER ABOVE JACK CREEK AT KELLER, WA (site 12434590), about 16.7 miles away. It drains roughly 900 square miles. Flow is the single best predictor of where fish sit in moving water, so it is worth knowing what normal looks like before you read today's number.
In August, this gauge typically runs about 44 cfs.
| Month | Median flow |
|---|---|
| Jan | 88 cfs |
| Feb | 136 cfs |
| Mar | 479 cfs |
| Apr | 739 cfs |
| May | 468 cfs |
| Jun | 201 cfs |
| Jul | 92 cfs |
| Aug | 44 cfs |
| Sep | 35 cfs |
| Oct | 44 cfs |
| Nov | 57 cfs |
| Dec | 74 cfs |
Median flow from the USGS daily-statistics record. For the live flow, gage height, water temperature, and today's fishing score, open the Lake Roosevelt, WA dashboard.
What's biting near Lake Roosevelt, WA
The species most likely to be feeding Lake Roosevelt: walleye, kokanee, and rainbow trout. FishCondish grades every hour of the day for Lake Roosevelt, WA and gives each species its own bite forecast, so you can see which window is worth fishing before you load the truck.
Lake Roosevelt, WA fishing FAQ
What fish can you catch at Lake Roosevelt, WA?
The species bite forecast for Lake Roosevelt, WA covers what's likely feeding there, including walleye, kokanee, and rainbow trout — and updates with the live conditions.
What's the best time of day to fish Lake Roosevelt, WA?
Dawn and dusk are usually the most productive windows on Lake Roosevelt, particularly when the barometric pressure is steady or falling. FishCondish grades every hour of the day so you can pick the best one.
When is the best season to fish Lake Roosevelt, WA?
Spring and fall are typically strongest on Lake Roosevelt as water temperatures sit in the productive range, with summer fishing best early and late in the day. It varies year to year, so check the live conditions before you head out.
How do I know if it's a good day to fish Lake Roosevelt, WA?
FishCondish combines wind, water level, water temperature, pressure trend, and moon phase into a single 1–10 fishing score for Lake Roosevelt, WA, updated in real time — a quick go/no-go read before you make the trip.
Fishing tips for Lake Roosevelt, WA
New to these waters? Start with these beginner-friendly guides: