The waters along Highway 17, and the species of fish that call them home, are as varied as the crops grown on the fields of central Grant County.

Depending on mood, you can pursue largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, three species of trout, several types of panfish and catfish. You can fish big or small lakes, or try fly-fishing a spring creek.

"We do have a great diversity," said Jeff Korth, district fish biologist for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. "The waters are very fertile. The desert is a very fertile place. It just needed water."

Darce Knobel, who owns the Desert Angler in Ephrata, said he has fished lakes in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. But he prefers the lakes a short drive from his fly shop. "I've fished all over, and I never find any more consistent trout fishing than we have here. They're real rich lakes, they have great insect populations."

These are some of the options anglers have, within a 30-minute drive of Moses Lake:

Lake Lenore

Location: On Highway 17 north of Soap Lake.

Type of water: 1,670-acre lake.

Unique features: The lake sits at the end of the Grand Coulee and is bounded by high cliffs. The fishing is best in the spring and the fall, said Knobel. "It gets too warm during the summer." Fly anglers do best using chironomid patterns in the spring and then damsel, dragonfly nymph, callibaetis and caddis patterns in the fall.

Common species: Lahontan cutthroat trout

Access: Good. There are four access areas, three with restrooms. Three boat launches are suitable for very small boats and float tubes only because of the shallow shoreline. One of the launches has a handicap access.

Information: Desert Fly Angler, 1656 Basin St. S.W., Ephrata; 509-754-4070

Moses Lake

Location: In the heart of the town of Moses Lake.

Type of water: 6,800-acre lake fed by Rocky Ford Creek.

Unique features: The lake was once known as a premiere trout fishery, and still is. But it has become a top walleye lake. "The lower Columbia River gets all the publicity, but Moses Lake has a great walleye fishery," said Korth. Walleye average 16 to 18 inches, but there are plenty of big fish.

Common species: Brook and rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, catfish, walleye and panfish.

Access: Very good. There are six boat ramps around the lake and plenty of bank fishing opportunities.

Information: Tri-State Outfitters, 1224 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake; 509-765-9338

Potholes Reservoir

Location: Southwest of Moses Lake off Highway 262.

Type of water: 28,000-acre manmade lake created by O'Sullivan Dam, the longest earthen-filled dam in the United States. The dam was completed in 1949 as part of the Columbia Basin Project.

Unique features: The sand dune islands that dot the north end of the lake make a great place to park your boat and have a picnic or go for a swim when it's warm. It also is productive bass waters.

Common species: Brown and rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye and panfish.

Access: Very good. There are a number of public and private ramps and parks, most along the south end.

Information: MarDon Resort, 8198 Highway 262 S.E., Othello; 509-346-2651 or 800-416-2736; www.mardonresort.com