Recreational gold panning in Washington involves identifying gold deposits, particularly placer deposits formed by weathering and erosion of lode deposits. Lode deposits require blasting or chemical treatment, while placer deposits can be recovered by panning in streams. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife administers regulations through the Hydraulics Code, requiring Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) for certain activities. Recreational panning, using basic tools like a gold pan, mini-rocker box, or small sluice box, does not require a formal HPA.
To find open areas for recreational panning, individuals should refer to the Gold and Fish booklet published by the DFW, which also provides information on stream classes and seasonal restrictions. Federal lands managed by agencies like the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service are generally open for panning unless withdrawn. State-owned lands require a placer mining contract, while privately owned lands necessitate permission from the owner or claim holder.
Three Gold Panning Locations in Washington State:
These locations provide opportunities for gold panning within Washington State, eliminating the need to travel to California or Alaska for a chance to strike it rich. Beginners can benefit from researching specific sites along the rivers and in the mountains before embarking on their gold panning adventure.
- Cle Elum River:
- Located in the Kittitas Valley, a tributary of the Yakima River.
- Most productive areas near Liberty, Roslyn, and Ronald.
- Research other sites along the river for potential success.
- Nooksack River:
- Originates in the North Cascades, flows for approximately 53 miles.
- Gold panning popular around Deming and Everson.
- Explore other areas along the river based on research.
- Cascade Mountains:
- Numerous creeks and streams in the Cascade Mountains have gold deposits.
- Requires some hiking but offers potential rewards.
- Competition from other prospectors expected.
- Successful reports near Baring, Index, and Skykomish.
List of Gold Deposits in Washington for Recreational Panning:
- Shi Shi Beach
- Ozette Beach
- Little Wink Beach
- Morrow Beach
- Yellow Banks Beach
- Main and Bartness
- Johnson Point Beach
- Cedar Creek
- Sunset Creek
- Ruby Beach
- Moclips River
- Oyhut Beach
- Point Brown Beach
- Ocean Park Beach
- Fort Canby
- Sand Island
- Brush Prairie
- Lewis River
- McMunn
- Texas Gulch
- McCoy Creek
- Surveyors Creek
- Elizabeth
- Gold Hill
- Ogren (Summit Area)
- Gold Links (Morse Creek)
- Silver Creek
- Cle Elum River
- Baker Creek
- Naneum Creek
- Boulder Creek
- Bear Cat
- Becker
- Bryant Bar
- Dennet
- Swauk Mining
- Gold Bar (Swauk Area)
- Nugget
- Old Bigney (Liberty Area)
- Williams Creek
- Swauk Creek
- Yakima River
- Perry (Yakima River)
- Big Salmon La Sac (Cle Elum River)
- Fortune Creek
- Ingalls Creek
- Ruby Creek
- Bloom
- Solita (Peshastin Creek)
- Shaser Creek
- Negro Creek
- Wenatchee
- Icicle Creek
- Leavenworth
- Wenatchee River
- Wednesday (Wenatchee River)
- Tolt River
- Money Creek
- Aristo
- Horseshoe Bend* (Sultan River)
- Sultan River
- Sultan Canyon
- Sultan
- Gold Bar (Skykomish River)
- Bench (Skykomish River)
- Phoenix (Howard Creek)
- Williamson Creek
- Granite Falls
- Peterson (Stillaguamish River)
- Darrington
- Deer Creek
- Deep Creek
- Mad River
- Entiat River
- Railroad Creek
- Stehekin River
- Combination
- Nip and Tuck
- Farrar (Slate Creek)
- Lazy Tar Heel
- Alice Mae
- Old Discovery (Ruby Creek)
- Slate Creek
- Woodrich (Canyon Creek)
- Johnie S (Granite Creek)
- Methow River
- Ballard (Salmon River)
- Meadows (Salmon River)
- Similkameen River
- Cuba Line
- Walker (Myers Creek)
- Deadman Creek
- Mary Ann Creek
- Goosmus Creek
- Alva Stout (Republic Area)
- Crounse (Strawberry Creek)
- Artesian Coulee
- Gone Busted
- Berrian Island
- Covington Bar
- Hellgate Bar
- Keller Ferry
- Rogers Bar
- Wilmont Bar
- Ninemile
- Daisy
- Johnson
- Turtle Rapids
- China Bend
- Bossburg Bar
- Valbush Bar
- Reed & Roberts
- Negro Creek Bar
- Northport Bar
- Negro Bar
- Evans
- Kettle River
- Scheirding
- Harvey Bar (Pend Oreille River)
- Sullivan Creek
- Schultz (Linton Creek)
- Indian Bar (Snake River)
- Clarkston (Snake River)
- Snake River
The process of panning involves filling the pan with sand and gravel, wetting the material, and using a side-to-side motion to allow gold particles to settle at the bottom. Lighter materials are washed away, leaving the heavier gold concentrate. Recreational panners are encouraged to practice and adhere to regulations, obtaining necessary permits for more extensive operations on public lands. The map provided indicates areas in Washington with placer deposits, but individuals must verify open access with local authorities.