For more information, contact:

Spokane BLM District

1103 N. Fancher • Spokane, WA 99212

Phone: 509/536-1200

Fishtrap

Fishtrap has over 5,000 acres of public land managed by the

Bureau of Land Management. This area is managed for its

important wildlife habitat, as well as recreational opportunities.

Here you’ll find various habitats--from pine forest, to shrubsteppe, and Palouse grassland. Other features include several

wetlands, numerous meadows, and basalt cliffs. There are also

two major lakes – Fishtrap and Hog.

Getting There

Fishtrap is just a 30-mile drive southwest of Spokane,

Washington. From Interstate 90, take Exit 254, then travel east

for 1.75 miles to the public land access.

Geology

The Fishtrap area is part of the Channeled Scablands of eastern

Washington. This area is named for the trenches and outcrops of

ragged, scarred rock interspersed with wet meadows and wheat

fields. This landscape was carved by the Great Missoula Ice Age

Floods that scoured the region about 12,000 years ago.

Recreational Activities

Many opportunities await you here--wildlife viewing, mountain

biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding. There’s

even an opportunity for winter fishing for rainbow trout at Hog

Lake (check with the Washington State Department of Fish &

Wildlife for seasonal fishing rules). Camping is allowed, but

there are no developed campsites.

Hike along 14 miles of primitive trails that meander near Fishtrap

and Hog lakes. You’ll wind through a gently sloping forest and

pass by small ponds, wetlands, and rock outcrops.

Wildflowers

A good place to start your wildflower search is on the trail to

Farmer’s Landing. Numerous spring flowers will grab your

attention. Bold, yellow flowers of balsamroot dot the uplands.

Camas blossoms carpet wetter areas with rich blue colors.

Flowering white serviceberry lines cliff edges. Purple and white

lupines bloom, almost everywhere.

In early summer, you may spot elkhorn clarkia. Its eye-catching

pink petals resemble a rack of elk or deer antlers. Explore rocky

side canyons to discover floral treasures such as bitterroot, often

called “rock rose.”

Watchable Wildflower guides are available at BLM offices in

Spokane and Wenatchee. Also bring along your camera to take

photos, not flowers, so the next visitors can enjoy the flowers, too.

“We hope you enjoy your visit to the

Fishtrap area. Come back again.”

Check our website for other recreational

opportunities and periodic updates:

www.or.blm.gov/spokane

Recreation Area

“If you’re looking for scenic

views, hiking trails, or

favorite fishing spots, then

spend some time at Fishtrap.”

Wildlife

Wherever there is water, there is wildlife to watch. Stop at Smick

Meadows where many different birds flock throughout the four

seasons. Wetlands are especially vibrant with bird songs in the

spring time. From the viewing station, catch a glimpse of

Northern shoveler and spotted sandpiper.

Coot, mallard, black tern, and killdeer nest and rear their young

throughout the summer. American kestrel and prairie falcon

also nest nearby. Any time of the year, you might see greathorned owl, red-tailed hawk, and red-breasted nuthatch. This is

a great place for birding enthusiasts!

Amphibians, too, make their homes in wetlands. Listen carefully

to hear tree frogs chorusing during spring breeding season.

Sometimes you might see a long-toed or tiger salamander,

spotted frog, and spadefoot toad . Look for egg masses and

tadpoles around wetland edges, or for a frog splashing into the

water as you walk by.

Cultural

Across the thousands of years, a wide variety of vegetation and

abundant wildlife found at Fishtrap provided Native Americans

with food, medicine, and spiritual uses.

Explorers, traders, and settlers to this region converted the

landscape in the late 1800s and 1900s to farms, ranches, and

small communities. Folsom Farm, with its few remaining

buildings, is an example of that time period.

FISHTRAP

Bureau of Land Management

Hog Lake

FISHTRAP FISHTRAP

 BLM/OR/WA/ GI-01/026-1122