Lake Roosevelt Eagle Cruise

Check it out

Distance: 60 miles round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Cruising time: 2-4 hours

Season: year-round

Maps: Lake Roosevelt North, by Northwest Map and Travel of Spokane, 455-6981.

Info Coulee Dam National Recreation Area, Kettle Falls District, (509) 738-6266

Powerboater trip notes

Access:Gifford launch ramp is off State Highway 25. Kettle Falls ramp is accessible from State Highways 20 or 25.

Attractions: Although this trip can be done year-round, best time is December through February, when migrating bald eagles are most likely to be in area. The stretch typically has the highest concentrations of eagles on the 150-mile-long reservoir.

Up to 160 eagles have been counted in this stretch in a single day when temperatures are cold enough to concentrate eagles on this reliable source of open water for fishing.

A bald eagle’s diet is 60 percent fish. The rest is waterfowl, carrion and, well, garbage. At least five bald eagle nests have been identified in the Ponderosa pine shoreline habitat in this stretch.

Comments: Small craft must be wary of possible high winds that could make this route dangerous. Route includes seven campgrounds plus additional launch ramps at Bradbury beach and Daisy Station. Kettle Falls Ramps are not usable when lake water level go below 1,237 feet at Kettle Falls or 1,249 at Gifford.

Lake level info: (800)- 824-4916.

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN - ROUTES: Classic trips in the Inland Northwest