This lake is an extremely shallow lake that nearly dries up in the summer, yet water does seem to continuously run through it even though it may only be a trickle. During spring and early summer its depth at the most will be 5 feet at its deepest but on average only 1-3 feet. There is no pronounced channel anywhere on the lake as the water enters the lake and then spreads out over a large area. This lake sits in the middle of grasslands and its shore line is totally private, however one can primarily access this lake via Calispell Creek at the McKenzie Rd. bridge (there is no boat launch on this lake). Some people I am told have accessed the lake from Calispell Creek from the bank at the West Calispell Road bridge on the southwest side of the lake. See more details about this below at #2, particularly related to the dangers of doing so. Once on the creek coming from the preferred launch site from McKenzie Road bridge there is an issue with accessing the lake once in the creek because as you get very close to the lake in the creek there is an old beam bridge that sits very low over the creek. When I went under this bridge I had to lean myself way back on the kayak to get under the bridge. During spring run off you will not be able to get under the bridge. At the McKenzie Road bridge where you enter the creek there is measurement post that has depth readings, I would only progress up the creek to enter the lake if the depth reads is 29.50 or under, anything above that and you will not be able to get under the bridge. Portaging over the bridge or along the shore line is not allowed as it's all private. Paddling into this lake is to primarily view the waterfowl, other than that there is really nothing else to view. I saw no fish in this lake or the creek, due in part because the dam near the Pend Oreille River keeps any fishing from leaving the Pend Oreille River and swimming up this creek into the lake. Fishing & Hunting: No fishing info. Waterfowl hunting, Ducks and Geese hunting only via kayak. Directions/Maps: See the sold access directions below...
Calispell Lake Access
We call this point a Landing, meaning you can put-in or take-out here. This the main access point to enter the creek to access Calispell Lake, this is actually the only access point where you can get into Calispell Lake. To learn more about going down stream from here click on this link... Calispell Creek. If you can paddle this creek without touching ground then this is a navigable water way, but if you have to get out on the creek bed, walk, etc. then you are on private land, so only paddle this creek when there is enough water in it. Park on either side of the bridge all the way off the paved road, then walk down the steep bank to the water. I would tie a line to your boat so it does not float off without you. Directions/Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type GPS coordinates 48.298927, -117.317519
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, Dirt combo parking along road (park totally off paved road); PATHS/TRAILS... None; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… None. Launch off very steep bank of 10% grade plus; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Steep rocky, dirty bank of 10% plus grade; H2O/Water: Water normally murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in Potholes Reservoir resort area and in town of Usk.
2. West Calispell Road Access
This picture is of the creek right off of the West Calispell Road bridge. I have been told some people have accessed Calispell Lake via this creek. Again this creek seems to disappear into the marsh before getting to the lake. At high water times one may be able to paddle through the marsh to get into the lake. Again extreme caution should be applied when traveling on the creek into the lake as there are many sweepers, etc. that create potential dangers to anyone paddling this part of the creek. Enter at your own risk. Again all land along the creek is private land, stay in creek. If creek water level is low and you are walking on the creek bed you are then walking on private property.
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, Dirt combo parking along road (park totally off paved road); PATHS/TRAILS... None; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… None. Shade via trees; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… None. Launch off very steep bank of 10% grade plus; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Steep rocky, dirt bank of 10% plus grade; Terrain: Rocks, Dirty, Mud, Steep as one enters the create of 10% grade or so; H2O/Water: Water normally murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Usk.
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