Area lakes ready for swimmers

With summer’s official arrival on June 21, local lakes are warming up and soon will be ripe for swimming, water-skiing and picnics.

Here’s a look at three lakes on the West Plains that offer public access:

Fish Lake

Swimming: With a dock big enough for a full-scale summer party, swimmers abound here on the sunny days. Also, near the public beach is a big water lily patch with sunfish and bullfrog tadpoles – curious children like to wander through here. Lifeguards were set to begin duty on June 14.

Cost: Children under age 6 get into the beach free. It’s $2 for anyone else and $50 for a seasonal pass, June 14 through Labor Day, according to the Spokane County Parks Recreation and Golf Department.

Fast fact: The head of the Columbia Plateau Trail begins above Fish Lake. This trail runs to the Tri-Cities, and the four miles that run past Fish Lake are paved. Roller skaters, bicyclists, joggers, and people with their horses, dogs and even llamas use this trail. There is also a host of wildlife that can be seen. For more information, check out the Washington State Parks Web site, www.parks.wa.gov/parks/, and search for Columbia Plateau Trail.

Badger Lake

Swimming: Teri Christianson said her kids were splashing about in this lake as far back as a month ago.

“It’s definitely colder than it would be in July, but they can swim as long as long as they don’t get too cold,” said Christianson, who has managed Badger Lake Estates since 1996.

Cost: In order for anyone to park near the lake’s public boat lauch, you must have a fishing license from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife (this comes with a parking permit sticker). There is no cost to swim (and no decent swimming beach, either).

Fast fact: Cliff-jumping at Badger Lake is a very popular sport among EWU students and local high school students. That being said, it’s also illegal to walk on most of the cliffs around the lake because they are private, making most cliff-jumping here a citable misdemeanor.

“This is an issue that pretty much comes up every year. We get complaints from owners about fire and litter and trespassers every year,” said Dave Reagan, public information officer for Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Medical Lake

Swimming: People are already working the swim lanes to practice for local triathlons, said Jessica Roberts, the Medical Lake recreation coordinator.

“Obviously we have more swimmers in warmer weather than the cool weather,” she said.

Cost: Swimming and playing in the park is free. There is a reasonable beach, but no dock.

Fast fact: Flanking the shores of Medical Lake is Waterfront Park, “one of the best, well-kept secrets in Spokane County,” Roberts said. You’ve got your ball fields, picnic tables, nice playground equipment, and it’s close to Spokane. Wildlife is also thriving out near the lake. People have seen bald eagles, moose, and other creatures.