Columbia National Wildlife Refuge

Many small and medium-sized lakes are found in the area because of an artificially high water table from nearby Potholes Reservoir. While deer and upland birds can be hunted at the refuge, most hunters focus on the ducks and geese. Nearly 100,000 ducks, mostly mallard, land on the refuge’s small...

Refuge waters include 145 acres of ponds, 841 acres of lakes, and 17.8 miles of streams. Freshwater species include rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, and whitefish. Fishing, boats, or other flotation devices are not allowed on...

Sheer rock walls dropping into the quiet water, Hutchinson Lake connects to Shiner Lake, and is a delightful place to canoe along this designated water trail. A canoe launch dock and boat launch (no gas motors!) make for easy entry to the lake.