There are lakes you fish because they're close to home, and then there are lakes that become part of who you are. For me, that's Long Lake, known to some as Lake Spokane. Growing up on that lake, from the shores of my grandparents' place at Willow Bay, or at my favorite Aunt and Uncle's place just before Tum Tum. I have so many fond memories of this lake and how it's changed over time. Stretching nearly 24 miles, located northwest of Spokane, this reservoir has a personality that changes with every season. Some days it's calm and forgiving. Other days, it demands patience and humility. But one thing remains constant: the opportunity to catch incredible walleye if you're willing to learn the lake. Walleye aren't flashy fish. They don't explode on a topwater lure or leap skyward like a trout or bass. Instead, they reward anglers who pay attention to subtle details. That's exactly what keeps me coming back year after year.
Spring is when my anticipation begins to build. As water temperatures climb into the mid 40s and low 50s, walleye transition from spawning areas and begin feeding aggressively. I focus on rocky shorelines, gravel flats, and the mouths of smaller bays. Areas around Nine Mile Falls and just below, I focus on stretches with gradual drop-offs adjacent to gravel beds; this will often produce consistent action. Fish are usually holding in 8 to 20 feet of water, especially during low-light periods. This is a great time to take advantage of the night fishing near the Spokane House launch. Pulling crankbaits such as large Bandits really gets the big fish's attention. Typically, fish anywhere from 12'-17' feet directly in the rocks, making sure them Bandits are tickling them as you troll. You will lose lures, but the rewards are worth it. Just please be cautious of that stretch of river as there are plenty of boulders and good current. I have found 3' of water quickly in my Hewescraft, and it can get hairy.
During spring, a jig tipped with a soft plastic paddle tail or curly-tail grub is also hard to beat. Natural colors like pearl, chartreuse, white, and motor oil consistently produce fish. Slowly hopping the jig along the bottom often triggers strikes. A live nightcrawler on a jig can make an already productive presentation even better when fish are less aggressive.
As spring gives way to summer, walleye begin following schools of baitfish toward deeper structure. Long tapering points, submerged humps, rock piles, and channel edges become prime real estate. Most fish settle into depths between 18 and 35 feet, although early mornings and evenings often pull them shallower to feed.
Summer is trolling season, and it's difficult to beat a well-presented bottom bouncer paired with a crawler harness. Smile blades in silver, gold, chartreuse, orange, and red finishes all have their moments depending on water clarity and sunlight. Keep your speed between .8 and 1.0 mph, making gentle turns to vary lure speed and trigger following fish. I really like to bottom bounce long sandy flats or gravel areas, finding a lot of these fish not too far from the main river channel.
Crankbaits also shine throughout the summer. Deep-diving models that imitate perch or juvenile trout can cover water efficiently. Productive colors often include firetiger during stained conditions and natural perch or silver patterns when the water is clear. If electronics reveal fish suspended over deeper water, trolling crankbaits slightly above them is often more productive than dragging lures directly through the school.
Fall is my favorite time on Long Lake. Boat traffic fades, temperatures cool, and the walleye feed heavily before winter. Fish move back toward shallower structure, often holding around rocky points, submerged rock piles, and weed edges in 10 to 25 feet of water.
This is when jigging becomes incredibly effective again. Sonic Baitfish, blade baits, jigging minnows, and traditional lead-head jigs all produce. Slow, deliberate movements often outperform aggressive retrieves as cooling water slows a walleye's metabolism. Every tap feels meaningful, and every fish seems a little heavier.
Many anglers put their boats away once winter arrives, but a few of us dedicated walleye fishermen know some of the year's best fishing is still ahead. Long Lake remains open year-round, and walleye continue feeding despite the cold water. They simply become more predictable.
Winter fish often concentrate along steep breaks and along the river channel around edges, and rocky structure in 20 to 40 feet of water I have found most success. Vertical jigging with SonicBaitfish, jigging soft plastics, or blade baits worked painfully slow can be incredibly productive. Patience becomes your greatest lure. Sometimes, a bait barely moving is exactly what a cold-water walleye wants. A presentation of a plastic that mimics a leech is deadly.
Throughout the year, electronics become one of your greatest tools. Modern sonar and forward-facing technology help identify baitfish, underwater structure, and subtle depth changes that often hold active fish. Still, technology only tells part of the story. Learning how wind pushes bait, how changing weather affects feeding windows, and how seasonal movements repeat themselves every year is what truly builds confidence on this lake.
Long Lake is full of hidden rock piles, long underwater points, flooded timber, and contour changes that don't always appear obvious on the surface. Every trip reveals something new. Every missed fish teaches another lesson. That's part of its charm.
Walleye fishing isn't always about filling a livewell. It's about watching the sunrise paint the water gold, feeling that unmistakable thump on the end of your line, and knowing you earned it through patience and persistence. Long Lake has taught me that success isn't measured only by numbers but by time spent learning a place that never stops surprising you.
Every season tells a different story on Long Lake. Spring brings hope, summer rewards consistency, fall offers excitement, and winter reminds us that the best anglers are often the ones willing to fish when everyone else has gone home. That's why this lake keeps calling me back—and why I know it always will.
And for my last cast, always be aware of the winter water levels. Not every winter is necessarily fishable, depending on the levels. And check regulations before heading out, as Long has separate rules from Roosevelt.
Reel In the Memories!
