Elmer City

The Elmer City access site is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat launch located near the town of Elmer City, just below Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River. This is the upper access point for Rufus Woods Lake, a 51-mile-long reservoir that stretches downstream to Chief Joseph Dam. The ramp provides convenient access to the upper section of the lake, with approximately eight miles of water extending to Nespelem Bar.

Rufus Woods Lake offers abundant recreational space for kayakers, canoeists, and motorboaters. The reservoir covers extensive water surface area with diverse fishing opportunities including walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and kokanee. When accessing the lake, note that either a tribal permit from the Colville Confederated Tribes or Washington State fishing license is required on tribal waters, while a state license is needed for Douglas County shoreline fishing. For additional access points and facilities, Bridgeport State Park (located at the lower end of the lake) offers two boat ramps and camping amenities.