Striped Bass

While Spokane isn't the first place that comes to mind for Striped Bass, the freshwater reaches of the Spokane River and the nearby Columbia River system offer a unique opportunity. The key here is understanding seasonal forage patterns. Spring finds stripers chasing migrating salmon smolts, so large swimbaits and crankbaits mimicking these are effective. Summer sees them schooled up in deeper, cooler water, often near structure. Focus on areas where the Spokane River meets the Columbia, paying attention to current breaks and depth changes. A fish finder is invaluable for locating schools. Local tip: Access is good at the Nine Mile Recreation Area, but be prepared for crowds on weekends. Adjust your depth presentation based on water temperature; stripers will move up or down in the water column to find their comfort zone. The Spokane River stripers tend to be smaller, averaging 5-10 pounds, but they fight hard in the current.