Roosevelt bite still on despite drawdown

FISHING — Fishing for trout remains good in Lake Roosevelt — for kokanee, too, on occasion —  despite the deeper than previously predicted drawdown that’s underway.

In mid March, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation had predicted the lake level would drop from the full pool level of 1290 feet at the end of February to about 1266 feet by the end of March.

But on Sunday evening, the level was already down to 1259 feet and the downward trend is predicted to continue.

It’s important at this point to compare the lake level with the levels at which boat ramps are dewatered.  Spring Canyon near Grand Coulee and Seven Bays downstream on the Columbia from the Spokane Arm are the deepest launches on the 125-mile long reservoir.

Get daily Lake Roosevelt level forecast by phone, updated daily at 3 p.m: (800) 824-4916.

Check out this NOAA site with Roosevelt levels and a list of boat launching elevations on the same page.