Northwest Fishing Reports

I am interested in the rules for boat in camping, specifically BLM land. I go low impact, usually just a sleeping bag and stove, and I am responsible(pack it out). I grew up backpacking, but now have a bad back and boating in to a remote location is very appealing. All my gear is backpacking gear. If it was not for my boat no one see me. I have camped on lake roosevelt on remote beaches without permit besides the launch thing ( I am not sure if this is proper).

Anyone know if their are proper steps of if it is ok just to go low profile on certain land?

I think most places it's ok as long as you follow burn ban rules if you want a campfire. Used to camp out in the potholes area without any issues. It's been a lot of years since I've done that, but haven't heard anything about new restrictions since.

The local PUD's/Bonneville/ Bureau of Reclamation, generally frown on camping along the Columbia as the water can and does go up and down quite a bit. They do have some camp sites but I couldn't tell you anything about the use policy or permits. A friend that lives next to the Columbia has BOR land all around him and has people trying to camp by the river most of the summer. They normally get rousted by the Sherif shortly before dark. I know there is one spot in the middle of Rufus Woods and "The Dunes" between Sunland and Columbia Bar but the later may not be a very relaxing camp spot.

PS Any land you may find via boat is probably not controlled by the BLM.

Lake Roosevelt has quite a few "boat in" campgrounds. Complete with docks. A lot of people just camp on the reservation side with no permits and do not seem to get in trouble. Go to the Lake Roosevelt web site for a map of the campgrounds that you can boat in to.

All your questions about camping along the shores of Lake Roosevelt are answered here.

People do beach their boat, day camp, & overnight camp on the reservation side all the time. Tribal law requires a tribal permit to access tribal property. I don't know what the fine would be if you got caught, but if I were planning to utilize tribal property, I'd purchase the permit. Just my $.02.

Thank you for the help, on Roosevelt I have never gone on tribal land, the other side in the Spokane arm between Ft. Spokane and Pourquepine Bay. I appreciate the information. I was looking for info on smaller lakes mainly, which are remote on blm land.