McDowell Lake

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McDowell Lake is a small lake located in the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge and is the largest body of water on the refuge. The lake was formed by the damming of a small creek at its northern end, where it now drains into a marshland. Motorized boats are prohibited in the lake, but nonmotorized craft are allowed. Fishing is popular at the lake, particularly in spring with fly-fishing and catch and release allowed for the rainbow trout that have been stocked in the lake since 1972. The lake is very shallow with a maximum depth of 29 feet and covers 69 acres. Handicap-access nature trails run along the northern end of the lake along the earthen dam with access to the parking lot, while additional hiking trails venture around the marsh, lake, and into the woods. McDowell Lake has abundant wildlife, with eagles, red-winged blackbirds, moose, deer, among others. Protected species of waterfowl and other birds are spotted occasionally. A bird blind on the edges of the marsh allows for birdwatching. The waters from the lake drain through the marsh into the Little Pend Oreille River located close by.