State park provides boat access to Lake Spokane

BOATING — With the bass and panfish season underway at Lake Spokane — and today’s news that 155,000 trout are being stocked — anglers with boats will be zeroing in on the Spokane River reservoir behind Long Lake Dam .

Here’s how to get onto the water.

Lake Spokane is served with three boat ramps (and five campgrounds ) operated by Riverside State Park :

• Lake Spokane Campground at the dam end of the reservoir, formerly managed by the state Department of Natural Resources.
• Nine Mile Recreation Area and Campground, formerly Nine Mile Resort, with more developed facilities, canoe and kayak rentals and a new boat launch and dock.
• Highway 291 boat launch at the upper end of the reservoir at the mouth of the Little Spokane River.

The Washington Discover Pass , which costs $30 a year or $10 a day, are required on vehicles at all state park facilities. In addition, a $7 launch fee is charged.

Boaters who frequently visit state park launches can purchase a state parks Natural Investment Permit , which is a Discover Pass-boat launching combo pass, for $80 a year.

The combo pass has the advantage of being transferable to any number of other vehicles. However , the pass portion is valid only at state park facilities. It is not accepted at Department of Natural Resources and Department of Fish and Wildlife facilities.

But if  you have a state fishing license, a Vehicle Access Pass for WDFW launches is included free, so you’re covered.