The Little Spokane River is a major tributary of the Spokane River, approximately 35 mi (56 km) long, in eastern Washington in the United States. It drains a rural area of forested foothills and a farming valley north of the city of Spokane along the Idaho-Washington border.
It rises in southern Pend Oreille County, south of Newport near the Idaho state line. It flows SSW past Milan and Colbert. It joins the Spokane River from the east approximately 10 mi (16 km) northwest of Spokane. There is a Natural area towards the mouth with an Indian painted rock and several trails to walk on. The state wildlife officials are strict of rules to protect the area so follow state park rules.
The river has several popular hiking trails along it, and is a popular destination for canoeing and kayaking.
Flyfishing is popular among The Little Spokane River but standard angling does work. The river is abundant with native and introduced fish but mostly native fish because of lacked plantations.
The Little Spokane River contains native Rainbow Trout, introduced Brown Trout, Suckerfish migrated from Spokane River, native pikeminnow, introduced Brook Trout, and native Mountain whitefish. Strict rules are placed for the winter whitefish season, so contact State wildlife officials for details. The speed and depth varies in the river but is generally slow moving and 2-5 feet deep. The river has an average width of 40-60 feet. The native protected species of fish in The Little Spokane River is Redband Trout and Westslope cutthroat trout.
In 1893, the ichthyologists Charles Gilbert and Barton Warren Evermann reported extensive damage to the Little Spokane as a result of human activities[1]: