Colville National Forest

Environmental Education

NatureWatch Activities Sponsored by the Colville National Forest for 2008

NatureWatch activities are free and sponsored by the Colville National Forest. Register for all hikes using the phone numbers shown below. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars and sturdy walking shoes for all-day activities.

First Week of May - Westslope Cutthroat Trout Viewing

Westslope Cutthroat Trout swim up from Brown's Lake to spawn in Brown's Creek the first week of May. Located 13 miles northeast of Usk, you leave Usk on County Road 3389 east, drive over the Pend Oreille River to County Road 5030. At the junction with the campground take a right around the southeast end of the lake. This road is one lane and is best traveled in a high clearance vehicle. Please drive carefully and be aware of oncoming traffic. The parking area is a short walk from the viewing platform. Please call the Newport Ranger Station at (509) 447-7300 to make sure the road is open.

Tuesday, May 6th and Wednesday, May 7th — Stevens County Sixth GradeTour

The Forest Service will join other natural resource agencies in giving presentations to the sixth graders in Stevens County. Contact the Stevens County Conservation District for more information. 232 Williams Lake Road, Colville, Washington 99114, Phone: (509) 685-0937

Free Fishing Weekend Activitiy! Saturday, June 7th — Lake Thomas Fishing Derby For Kids

Come to the Lake Thomas Fishing Derby for kids. Casting contests, fishing, and activities focused on fish and fun for kids under 16 years of age will run from 9:00 a.m. and to 1:00 p.m. at Princess Pines Camp on Lake Thomas. For more information contact Eric Middlesworth at (509) 732-4441 or Karen Honeycutt at (509) 738-7738. Sponsored by Stevens County 4-H, U.S. Forest Service - Colville National Forest, Lake Roosevelt Walleye Club, and Walmart.

Saturday, June 14th — Skookum Lake Fishing Festival For Kids

Casting contests, fishing contests and activities focused on fish and fun for kids under 16 years of age will run from 9:00 a.m. and to 1:00 p.m. at Skookum Lake Campground. Coordinators: Mike Borysewics at (509) 446-7500 or Karen Honeycutt at (509) 738-7738.

Tuesday, September 23 and Wednesday September 24 — Lake Roosevelt Water Festival

With a focus on water, this educational event is for fourth graders in Ferry and Stevens County, and Canada. Fourth grade home-schooled students are welcome. The festival is held at the Sherman Creek Fish Hatchery and the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area Swim Beach at Kettle Falls. For more information contact Karen Honeycutt, (509) 738-7738, khoneycutt@fs.fed.us. Participating Agencies / Companies - National Park Service, Forest Service, Avista, Spokane Tribe, Stevens County Conservation District, Ferry Conservation District, a retired environmental educator, Forest Capital, Bonneville Power Administration, Cominco, Department of Ecology, WDFW, Curlew Job Corps, Kettle Falls High School - Soils Students.

November — Kokanee Viewing

Come watch kokanee salmon swim up from Sullivan Lake to spawn in Harvey Creek. The run is best seen in Mid-November. Weather permitting, fish biologist, Karen Honeycutt will be on site November 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to answer questions about the salmon. The kokanee usually start up the creek the first week in November and are still there in the beginning of January. Please respect the kokanee. Do not harass the fish and other animals, or disturb the streambed. From Highway 31 south of Ione take County Road 9345 toward Sullivan Lake Ranger Station and Sullivan Lake. The bridge is at the south end of the lake. For a status report on the kokanee, call the Sullivan Lake Ranger District at (509) 446-7500.