FISHING– Public access to Chapman Lake south of Cheney continues to be blocked by a gate at the Chapman Lake Resort.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Department stocked the lake with about 100,000 small kokanee fry last year plus 7,500 catchable-sized rainbow trout and 50 larger rainbows this spring in anticipation of the public being allowed to use the lake, the state hatchery plan shows.

“After the fish were stocked, family members said they were having some difficulties and said they wouldn’t be able to open the resort,” said John Whalen, WDFW regional fisheries manager. “We’ve heard that they’ve selectively let a few people in.”

If a long-term agreement for public access can’t be worked out, the state will have to discontinue stocking fish, he said.

Although there’s state land at one end of the lake, developing a public access would be years down the road, he said.