Every Boat Ramp on Banks Lake

About Banks Lake

Banks Lake is a 27,000-acre reservoir created by pumping water from the Columbia River behind Grand Coulee Dam into the ancient Grand Coulee, a massive glacial channel carved during the Ice Age floods. Stretching 27 miles between Coulee City and Electric City in Grant and Douglas counties, Banks Lake fills a dramatic basalt-walled canyon that reaches 172 feet deep and serves as the primary equalizing reservoir for the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. The lake's unique geology, stable water levels, and diverse habitat make it one of Washington's premier multi-species fisheries.

Walleye are the star attraction at Banks Lake, with consistent catches of fish in the 15- to 22-inch range and legitimate trophy potential for fish exceeding 10 pounds. Smallmouth Bass fishing is outstanding along the lake's extensive basalt shorelines and rocky points, with summertime action rivaling the best bass lakes in the state. Lake Trout inhabit the deepest portions of the reservoir and can reach impressive sizes, while Kokanee provide exciting light-tackle trolling opportunities. Yellow Perch and Burbot round out the diverse fishery and are especially popular with winter anglers.

Steamboat Rock State Park, located on a dramatic basalt mesa jutting into the lake, is the centerpiece of the Banks Lake recreation area and offers excellent boat launch facilities. Additional launches at Coulee City, Electric City, and Osborn Bay provide access to all sections of the reservoir. The surrounding landscape of towering basalt cliffs, sagebrush-covered plateaus, and big open skies creates a uniquely beautiful setting for a fishing trip in the heart of Washington's inland empire.

Nearest towns: Coulee City, Electric City, Grand Coulee