Sunday, April 23, 2023

Sprague Lake, Adam and Lincoln Counties, Washington

Sprague Lake, Adams County (1,841 acres)

Sprague Lake is the largest lake in at 1,841 acres. This lake is in Adams & Lincoln Counties with 1 public launch and one resort launch in Adams County and 1 resort launch in Lincoln County. Some people think this lake is in Spokane County, which it is not. This large lake is two miles west of the town of Sprague, along the south side of I-90. It was called Big Lake in some old surveys and until 1950 was known as Colville Lake, Changed to Sprague Lake in the 1970's. This is a windy lake with winds typically coming from the west and at times can exceed 20 knots. This is a fantastic sailing lake due to the consistent winds and open water, and great for Ice sailing as well. Due to the consistent winds on this lake it's not so good of course for water skiing, not to forget that his lakes shoreline and some places there are rocks, lots of rocks. This a fishing or sailing only lake! Not good lake for anything else due to algae develops in July when it gets hot and there are leaches in the lake as well, so not good for swimming, waterskiing, or tubing. Harper Island which is a bird sanctuary is on the S.W. end of the lake. This is a very popular fishing lake for walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, perch, bluegill, and rainbow trout. Access is southwest through the town of Sprague. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has one public boat launch on the southwest end of the lake, and there are two a private boat launches in association with two resorts with day use fees on the southeast and northeast end of the lake. Fishing: Black Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Spiny Ray, Walleye, Yellow Perch. Lake Dimensions & Coordinates: 1,841 acres; Maximum depth estimated at 65 ft; elevation 1878 ft; Coordinates T20/21N R37/38E. Longitude 118d 1m 4s -to- 118d .6m 10s west. Latitude 47d 14m 15s -to- 47d 17m 28s N. Info: City of Sprague info at this link http://www.sprague-wa.us . 


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1. WDFW Southwest Public Boat Launch
This launch site has a single lane paved boat launch with a single dock (dock is not normally in place due the lake seemingly always to shallow to have it in place), toilet, lots of room for parking. The water depth at this site is shallow of only 2-3 ft at low water times of the year, which is most of the year. Large gravel parking lot and public accessible restroom. There is a tree that overhangs the launch site so those launching sailboats will need to step mast in the water if the mast is too tall. 
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel parking area for vehicles and boats. Paved accessible parking next to restroom and boat launch; PATHS/TRAILS... One paved path to and from restroom from upper parking area. No paved path to launch; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES…  One accessible restroom with accessible parking next to it; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments.  DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One dock that may or may not be in place due to the lakes typical shallow water level. More than not the dock is not in place creating a significant barrier to persons using mobility devices to access the water. One paved launch of 3 to 5% grade into shallow water with two accessible parking spaces next to it. The launch pavement transitions from blacktop to long vertical concrete slats; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices to directly access the water; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... None. There are two camping/RV resorts on this lake; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: There is a tree overhanging the launch that can interfere with masts of sailboats and super rocky shoreline, with some submerged rocks just under the surface of the water; Terrain: Level to 3 to 7 % grades. Shoreline is very rocky and sandy/muddy. Pavement next to restroom and at launch area; H2O/Water: Water on this lake is never really clear and in late summer is murky with algae. Not ideal for swimming. Water temperature in the summer can be around 70-90 degrees; Environmental Conditions: Little to no currents. Water can become stagnant. High winds are common in this area; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas within town of Sprague.



2. Four Seasons Resort
Four Seasons Resort is located on the west end of the lake on the north shore. This is a well-developed and old resort with tent and RV campsites, nice restroom, store, several docks, and a single gravel/muddy boat launch suited for light weight boats. The resort also rents fishing boats. This is not a state park supported by a large budget from our hard-earned tax dollars. Its rustic and old, so do not expect some Richy fancy resort. These nice old resorts need your support. 509-257-2332. I feel 4 Seasons is best used for sailing due to the depth you can launch into and quick access to the windier part of the lake. Directions: From Spokane on I-90 W. take 245 and from there you follow the signs to the resorts, etc. The town of Sprague is really run down for example you will turn on B street to get to 1st. street yet 1st street is marked incorrectly as B Street. So going to the resorts and landings you follow B street to B Street.
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel parking;  PATHS/TRAILS... None; RESTROOMS…  Well maintained and fully accessible to wheelchairs; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments.  DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… Two docks, one of which one could access with a wheelchair (not ADA compliant); DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... Tent and RV camping with full hookups; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Nothing unusual; Terrain: Level to 3% grade. Large grassy areas and gravel roads and walkways; H2O/Water: Water on this lake is never really clear and in late summer is murky with algae. Water temperature in the summer can be around 70 degrees; Environmental Conditions: Little to no currents. Water can become stagnant. High wind and hit are common in this area; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas within town of Sprague.



3. Sprague Lake Resort
This resort with launch is located on the northeast end of the lake http://www.spraguelakeresort.com / 509-257-2864). Has cabins, tent, and RV sites, restrooms, and docks. Has very primitive with mud/dirt/gravel launch. This is not a state park supported by a large budget from our hard-earned tax dollars. Its rustic and old, so do not expect some Richy fancy resort. These nice old resorts need your support. Directions: From Spokane on I-90 W. take 245 and from there you follow the signs to the resorts, etc. The town of Sprague is really run down for example you will turn on B street to get to 1st. street yet 1st street is marked incorrectly as B Street. So going to the resorts and landings you follow B street to B Street.
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel parking;  PATHS/TRAILS... None; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES…  One well maintained restroom but not accessible to wheelchairs; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments.  DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… Two docks, not wheelchair accessible. One gravel rock launch of about 3% grade into shallow water; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... Tent and full hookup RV campsites; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Nothing unusual; Terrain: Level to 3% grade. Very rocky and sandy; H2O/Water: Water on this lake is never really clear and in late summer is murky with algae. Water temperature in the summer can be around 70 degrees; Environmental Conditions: Little to no currents. Water can become stagnant. High wind and hit are common in this area; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas within town of Sprague.


Click on map to enlarge or to print

Click on map to enlarge


Both pictures of 4 Seasons Resort on the northwest end of the lake, next to HWY 90.

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