Bull River Tributary Creeks and Lakes
MM 8.9: East Fork Bull River, St. Paul Lake
Trailhead
At 1.3 miles
the road forks left to the north fork and the St. Paul Lake trailhead, which is
six miles from the highway. St. Paul Lake is a three-mile hike. Although it
lacks in scenery, the lake fishes well for 10- to 14-inch cutthroats. Below the
trailhead the creek is small and offers good fishing for typical creek-sized
trout. You have to look for a pullout and scramble down to the creek. Plan on
heavy brush and pocket water. At 1.3 mileage turn right and go one mile to a historic
ranger station and a great spot to fish the lower creek.
MM 29.4: Spar Lake / Lake Creek
Affording
little access due to private property, Lake Creek surely has some bragging
rights for the prettiest creek in the area, albeit with little public access.
Nonetheless, bridge crossing and a few non-posted spots provide a sampling of
this beautiful creek. I came upon one couple who were fishing right from the
side of the road. The wife had just killed a 16-inch rainbow dragging a night
crawler through a small hole next to the road. The Lake Creek Road is actually
a loop that connects Highway 56 with Spar Lake via Chase Cutoff. The upper road
is gravel all the way with a few washboard sections. From the highway to the
lake is 17.4 miles. Spar
Lake Campground has eight campsites, water, toilets, and is non-fee.
MM 32.4: Savage Lake
A relatively
small lake of about 100 acres, Savage Lake is surrounded by summer homes with
only one public access right off the highway. Belly boaters have fun on this
lake for both cold- and warm-water species.
