The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife is acquiring a 530-acre parcel on the southern end of Chapman Lake through a land transfer from the state Department of Natural Resources.

The transfer, valued at $1.5 million, will enable the wildlife department to restore public boat access to the lake, says Chris Donley, the agency's regional fish program manager. State funds will be transferred to the Department of Natural Resources to complete the transfer, he says. 

With the acquisition of the land, located 30 miles southwest of Spokane and about a mile south of the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, the wildlife department proposes to build a single-lane boat launch, an asphalt turnaround, a gravel parking area, and a gravel-paved access road connecting to South Cheney Plaza Road, says Donley. 

A contractor for the project hasn't been selected yet.

Donley says the project value hasn't been finalized but will be in the millions of dollars. He says the goal to complete the project is set for spring 2026. 

"We've been working with DNR for a long time to figure out a lease agreement or some way that we could access through DNR land. Then this land transfer just happened," says Donley. "Now we will go back to resubmitting for grants to seek the funding to construct the road and boat ramp."

The public lost boat access to the lake in 2011, when the Chapman Lake Resort, a small fishing resort with docks, rental boats, and a boat ramp, was closed, says Donley. The wildlife department had an agreement with the owner of the resort to purchase the property and received a $1.2 million grant from the state Recreation and Conservation Office for the project, he says. However, after the owner died in 2016, an accord couldn't be reached with his heirs, and the grant money had to be returned. 

"We've had constant requests and the long stream of disappointment from the public that can't access the lake any longer," he says. 

Chapman Lake has been a popular destination to fish for kokanee, says Donley. The state has been replenishing the lake annually with 100,000 of the small, landlocked salmon while seeking to reestablish boating access, he says. 

"We intend to keep the experience small," says Donley of the proposed public access. "The kinds of boats that can use it will be small boats. It's going to be great for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife watching."