Banks Lake
Banks Lake fills the upper Grand Coulee between Electric City and Coulee City. It is best known for smallmouth bass and walleye.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Smallmouth Bass
Fish rocky points and basalt walls with tubes and jigs.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Largemouth Bass
Look in weedy bays.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Rainbow Trout
Shorelines and inlets in cool months, deeper water in summer.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Steamboat Rock State ParkFeeWashington State Parks at the north end near Electric City; Discover PassDirections ↗
- Million Dollar Mile NorthFeeWDFW water access on SR 155; ADA facilities, Discover Pass requiredDirections ↗
- Barker CanyonFeeWDFW water access on the west side; Discover Pass requiredDirections ↗
- Ankeny SouthFeeWDFW water access at the southwest end near Coulee City; Discover Pass requiredDirections ↗
- Osborn BayFeeWDFW water access near Electric City; Discover Pass requiredDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee Washington Fish & Wildlife or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie Year-round | 9 in | 10 / day |
| Yellow Perch Year-round | See Washington rules book ↗ | 25 / day |
| Smallmouth Bass Other game fish follow statewide rules; only 1 over 14 in | See Washington rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Walleye Other game fish follow statewide rules; only 1 over 22 in | 12 in | 8 / day |
| Largemouth Bass Other game fish follow statewide rules; only fish under 12 in, plus 1 over 17 in | See Washington rules book ↗ | 5 / day |
| Rainbow Trout Other game fish follow statewide rules | See Washington rules book ↗ | 5 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (2026-27 pamphlet on eRegulations) ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Coulee Playland ResortNearby401 Coulee Blvd E, Electric City, WA(509) 633-2671Directions ↗
- Big Wally'sNearby9944 Hwy 2 E, Coulee City, WA(509) 632-5504Directions ↗
Local tips
- The lake usually freezes in winter and has a popular ice fishery.
- Two-pole fishing is allowed with the proper endorsement.
- The east shore has the best bank access, with several WDFW access sites.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
More Washington lakes
Lake Chelan Lake Wallula (McNary Pool) Lake Washington Potholes Reservoir Ross Lake Riffe Lake Lake Entiat Lake Pateros All Washington lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.