washington county fishing spotswashington county fishing spots

Washington County Fishing. You may also be able to find some of the warmwater fish common to area lakes, perhaps including largemouth bass and the ubiquitous bullhead catfish. Steelhead have historically been stocked in the Tolt and Raging rivers. Steelhead and trout are present in modest numbers but fishing for them isnt a big draw here. and rainbow trout, and either PowerBait or worms will work fine to catch them. The primary access is via a Seattle city park, Bitter Lake Playfield, where youll find a modest amount of bank fishing and can carry in a small watercraft. Carloe Pond . There also are some coastal cutthroat trout in the mix. However, at times WDFW adds a few dozen very large trout into the mix with the pan-sized stockers. While not stocked with hatchery trout like many of the waters listed here, Lake Sammamish has a quality fishery for resident cutthroat trout, with the best fishing in spring and fall. At last check, a planting of 2,000 hatchery trout happened in early May, but stocking times may vary so check as that time of year arrives. The county also includes Mount Baker, North Lookout Mountain . Clear Lake near Eatonville (not to be confused with nearby Clear Lake near Yelm) offers good fishing prospects for both stocked rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. For stocking, weve found in a recent check that it is likely to be stocked with some 6,000 fish in early spring (around late March) and then bumped up with nearly 5,000 more trout in early May. 35169.00. When the trout fishing starts to fade and the kokanee have gone deep, there still are a pretty good number of resident largemouth bass to catch here throughout summer and early fall before the annual closure. Historically, DeCoursey Pond has been seasonally stocked with hatchery rainbow trout, but it hasnt been on the stocking schedule recently. Some brown trout have been stocked here in the past, and some sources say hatchery coho may also be present. Kokanee fishing tends to be best in the summer, when these fish are good-sized and they school up and are most predictable. This fair-sized fishing hole in the lake-filled Eatonville area is very nicely stocked with hatchery rainbow trout every spring, when fishing for them peaks. lake or stream) from the list above. Warmwater enthusiasts have quite an array of opportunities, including some of the regions better fishing for both largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch and black crappie. Whitman lake is just under 30 acres but still is the largest and most developed of this small handful of lakes, and the only one of the pond-sized lakes with public fishing access. Use 177th Avenue off Jackson Lake Road NW to reach WDFWs gravel boat launch on the north end. This is a seasonal lake that opens hot for trout and then transitions nicely into kokanee fishing, with largemouth and smallmouth bass a viable alternative during the warmer months. Without a doubt, high lakes trout fishing is one of Washington's premier recreational opportunities. The trailhead is located south of The parking lot is directly You might think of salmon and trout when it comes to fishing in Washington. No bait-fishing is allowed. Lake Morton is stocked each spring with a generous 5,000 or so hatchery rainbow trout, and trout fishing is best in the weeks and few months following a planting. There is limited access on the south side, near the end of 44th Avenue South, where you can drop in a small boat. (Our latest update shows 3,400 planted last season.). This neighbor to Lake Desire, which shares a natural park area, also is quite well stocked with hatchery rainbow trout during the spring, when trout fishing is best. You cant launch a trailered boat but you can carry in a raft or other small watercraft to those sites and launch. The lake is open to youth anglers, senior anglers and anglers with a disability who have a designated companion harvester card. WDFW maintains a concrete boat ramp on the south end, off Southeast 196th Drive, and a boat will serve you best. Recent catches for most salmon and steelhead runs are counted in the low hundreds per year, versus the thousands of years past. The last planting we saw was 3,500 in late April, to give you an idea of what you might expect this year. Known by many for its iconic falls, for anglers the Snoqualmie River is historically a salmon and steelhead fishing river. This undeveloped lake about three miles north of Black Diamond is modestly fished for largely wild cutthroat trout. Shadow Lake is only about 20 minutes from Renton or Kent. Canaan Dam 4.9 miles. Featured photo of local fisher Cynthia Johnson by Emmett ONeill, Allied Arts of Whatcom Countys June exhibit Chromatiform is a celebration of color and abstraction, featuring the work of Ann Chaikin, Barbara Hicks, Beth Anna Margolis, Brian Simpson, Jabez Richards, Lori VanEtta, and a special[], All women are invited to join the circle. Solitude: 5 out of 5 starsDifficulty to reach: 5 out of 5 stars. Typically the year-round lake is stocked with catchable sized rainbows during the spring and juvenile cutthroats during the fall. This nearly 40-acre lake straddling the Pierce-Kitsap county line is stocked with a decent number of catchable rainbow trout during the spring. Besides Seattle, King County also is home to other cities including Bellevue, Burien, Covington, Des Moines, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kent, Kirkland, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, SeaTac, Shoreline, Snoqualmie, Tukwila, Woodinville and parts of Auburn and Bothell. The lake also has a nice warmwater fishery with largemouth bass, yellow perch and pumpkinseed sunfish among the fish youre likely to catch when the water temperature has risen in the later spring into the fall. This will lead you to a less trafficked The other Trout Lake is located clear at the other end (northeastern) of King County, about seven miles south of Skykomish, and this is a far more wilderness experience than the first Trout Lake we discussed. King County: To the north, the home of Seattle may have lots of people but it also has scores of excellent fishing lakes and streams from the city to the high country. The relatively high usage for a small lake can keep the trout numbers down, so fishing is generally only fair. From fly-fishing for bass and trout on freshwater lakes and streams east of the Cascades to trolling for salmon along the coast to crabbing in Puget Sound, Washington offers a diverse and unique outdoors experience. Issaquah Creek is home to a salmon hatchery that helps bring a coho salmon fishery to the lake, but the creek itself is closed to all fishing when the silvers return. Spokane River. Fishing for many of these bass and panfish species improves in late spring into summer and early fall. 2. In odd years, pink salmon join the fishing fray but runs sizes of these smaller salmon swing wildly. this hidden gem is well worth the hike, offering unparalleled peace and isolation. Pierce County and Tacoma are part of the most urbanized places in Washington, but don't let that fool the angler in you: There are plenty of wide-open spaces and lots of fishing here. Checking the last season to give us an idea of whats coming, the stocking truck dropped about 3,000 keeper trout here in late March and another 4,000 in late April. Your guide to sport fishing is rapidly expanding across Washington to help you find your next fish. This SeaTac lake has a lot of fishing opportunities in its 100-plus acres. Kitsap County: To the northwest, the Kitsap Peninsula has quite a few nicely stocked trout lakes as well as access to much of the South Puget Sound and Hood Canal. Join us for Cruisin to CTK Car Show! The lake also has populations of largemouth bass and yellow perch to catch, especially once the trout fishing slows way down in the summer months. River Mile 647.9 at Lynxville, WI upstream to River Mile 679.2 at Genoa WI. The mid-Sound area off King County offers some historically good salmon fishing for runs including Chinook (kings), coho and more. We've recently updated the article to include the most recent fishing conditions and opportunities for 2022 (including trout stocking). You might also catch a big largemouth bass or two, but not nearly in the same numbers as the smallies. The tables below list the fishing waters in Washington County by fish species. Fishing from a boat is a great bet during the spring and early summer, but the Killarney access can get vary poor as the water level typically drops away from the access point during the warm season. WDFW manages dozens of wildlife areas around the state, many of which offer public access and serve as key parts of the department's conservation efforts. Like many of its counterparts, those runs are a mere shadow of their former glory in this river, part of the Snohomish River system. Well show you where, when and how to boost your catches. While access from parks and trails in this area is good, there is a health advisory about eating fish caught here, so consider catch-and-release fishing for the lakes resident populations of bass and panfish. will be a small, unmarked side trail. Spots. The prime targets are hatchery-reared fall Chinook and coho salmon returning to a hatchery near Orting. There is a disc golf course at the lake as well. The University of Washingtons main campus is in Seattle. There is bank access from Lake Geneva Park on the northwest end off 46th Avenue S as well as a gravel boat launch on the west side along 38th Avenue S. This lake is literally across 38th Avenue S from Lake Killarney. There are several public parks and access points, the most popular being Lake Sammamish State Park at the southern end. To give you an idea, the last time it was stocked was about 1,800 keepers planted in late April. Special harvests may open in-season if big runs are expected. Pierce County pretty much has it all, including the shoreline of Puget Sound at sea-level clear up to the top of 14,411-foot Mount Rainier, Washingtons tallest peak. The pond is on the edge of Mill Pond Park on Mashell Avenue S. This 65-acre lake on Anderson Island is stocked each spring with several thousand hatchery rainbow trout and should offer good fishing by about April. In fact, anglers hike in to try to catch mostly smaller wild rainbow trout in the clear waters. Dead Fish Charter & Guide Service. Find information about public clam, mussel, and oyster beaches, including harvest seasons, beach locations, and current Department of Health status. Other game fish here include both largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, rock bass, yellow perch and brown bullhead catfish, all of which are more active in the warm months. Check the resources below to time your next trip. Shoreline fishing, playground, swimming area, park sticker required. Fishing Spots. There also are some whitefish around. Past stockings show some 2,800 really fat trout being stocked in about the third week of November. I recommend bringing ample water and snacks, making sure to inform someone how Pierce County pretty much has it all, including the shoreline of Puget Sound at sea-level clear up to the top of 14,411-foot Mount Rainier, Washington's tallest peak. Google Map and Directions to Lake Sammamish State Park. The place to go is Angle Lake Park along Highway 99 on the west side of the lake, where bank anglers will find a nice fishing pier and boaters will find a developed launch. Well, one last thing: While there is an amazing amount of fishing opportunity inside King County, theres even more if you make a short drive. Washington County Fishing Charters, and Guides. Bank access is only available right at the WDFW site, so getting out on the water will help increase your fishing success. As much as I like seeing other fishing enthusiasts on the lake, sometimes you want to be alone with your thoughts and the serene silence of nature. (*) Denotes waters where the use or possession of bait fish is prohibited. Beaverdam Stream 2.9 miles. Between those extremes are plenty of trout, salmon, steelhead, bass, kokanee and other game fish. Most of the catches are in September and October and are restricted to the lower river below Voight Creek. yourself? There is a varied warmwater fishery here, which includes yellow perch, black crappie, largemouth bass and brown bullhead catfish. As an example, the last stocking was 3,200 keeper trout planted in late April. Google Map and Directions to Lake Meridian. Our most recent check showed monthly plantings in April, May and June, but check before counting on decent catches as fishing tends to fade quickly in a small pond after it is stocked. This lake contains both cutthroat Deep Lake is as deep as 70 feet to help it sustain a population of kokanee, which are feisty and tasty land-locked sockeye salmon about the size of pan-sized trout. This nearly 20-acre lake in northwest Seattle is stocked each spring with a dose of hatchery rainbow trout. The upper river flows through Lewis County. Public clam, mussel, and oyster beaches The water level in this normally 15-acre lake can drop down pretty severely later in the summer, hampering access, especially at the shallow south end WDFW site. This lake also has a warmwater fishery including largemouth bass and several species of panfish. You can carry a person-powered small boat in and launch, but motors are prohibited. Coho can be caught in awesome numbers, with September usually the peak of the season. Followers. The river is protected spawning habitat for migratory salmon and steelhead, which are having a tougher time than the trout. The Cowlitz River is one of Washingtons best fishing streams, especially for salmon and steelhead. Langlois Lake, located near Carnation, has a good WDFW access at the east end and good bank access as well, including accessible facilities and a paved trail for people with disabilities or limited mobility. Google Map and Directions to Green River (Duwamish River). This simply mammoth lake offers a huge variety of fishing opportunities in the heart of the Seattle-Bellevue area. This little hatchery streams tidewater on the west side of upper Carr Inlet can put out thousands of chum salmon in the late fall. We show you the top spots. There is a steep WDFW access on the south shore, and a limited spot to fish from the bank there. We just touch on saltwater opportunities here. There is a WDFW access with some room for bank fishing or to launch your boat or other watercraft (no combustion engines allowed) located at the southeast end of the lake right along SE Lake Hold Road (SE 336th Street). This Trout Lake is stocked with a modest number of hatchery rainbow trout during the spring, when trout fishing will be best. All other species tables only include the top fishing locations, which can be viewed graphically on the accompanying Top Fishing Waters Map. This little rectangle of water that sits in front of a self-storage business sharing the Uncle Johns name is sometimes stocked with a modest planting of trout in the spring. The other trout in Lake Dolloff besides the hatchery fish are resident cutthroat trout, which bite best in spring and fall. Island County Fishing . Trout harvest is limited both by number and size, so be sure to read the regulations before fishing here. View fishing reports for the lakes, reservoirs and streams near Washington County (Pennsylvania) complete with bait shops, tackle shops, fishing charters and fishing guides, and inside information on fishing spots in the area. This urban fishery in Seattle area is one of the best trout fisheries in western Washington. The last stocking record we could access showed about 2,500 keeper rainbows stocked in early May. Google Map and Directions to Lake Wilderness. At last check, some 4,200 were stocked for a recent season. Check the listing for Bradley Lake (above in this article) for a larger Puyallup park pond that also is restricted to these populations of anglers and is being seasonally stocked with trout. Bowles Lake 7 miles. Josephine Lake, just south of Florence, reportedly has some residential bass and panfish but isnt stocked with trout. Washington County, Virginia is home to 168 lakes, rivers, and other fishing spots. Bring your friends, your sisters, your daughters, your mothers. Theres not a lot of access to fish from the bank in this home-encircled lake, but you can get to the shore near the ends of Meridian Avenue (north side) and 125th Street (west side). Spring, summer and the first part of fall should also provide a pretty decent fishery for warmwater species, including a good number of rock bass (a panfish) as well as largemouth bass and brown bullhead catfish. Migrating salmon and steelhead only have a couple of miles of access to the lower river above the confluence with the North Fork, before running into the impassible Sunset Falls. The last annual stocking we saw for this update was about 1,500 keepers planted in late April but other years has occurred in May. The Lakewood-area spot is busy during the high season but offers year-round fishing success. The pond is restricted for fishing for youths, seniors, and anglers with disabilities who have a designated harvester companion card. Google Map and Directions to Lake Union (Gas Works Park). Jackson Lake is located off Jackson Lake Road NW between Haley State Park and the community of Home. Cle Elum Lake This large reservoir on the Cle Elum River is most often fished for kokanee and lake trout, although extreme water fluctuations put a big damper on the lake's fishing potential. Only the brook trout table offers a comprehensive list of all waters to fish for this species in the county. Best Trout Fishing in Washington (2023 Angler's Guide) Castle Rock Lake Castle Rock County Park, 2397 Hwy Z. The South Fork Skykomish is primarily a trout stream. I recommend heading to any of these beautiful spots within Whatcom County to step away for a moment and get into nature. As far as the most private spot to Lake Fenwick is 18 acres and also has some pretty good fishing for warmwater species, including good numbers of yellow perch to fair size. The last stocking information available shows the lake last year was stocked with an impressive 12,000 ready to catch rainbow trout in the first half of April, but of course use the links below to help pinpoint the next planting. Warmer weather is also the peak time to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass, but in far shallower water. This year-round lake near Renton is generously stocked with rainbow in the spring, when trout fishing is best. Severe winter drawdowns impact the fish populations and summers are busy here, but its still a place where you can hone your skills around lots of different types of fishy habitat while looking for big, toothy predatory fish. No internal combustion engines are allowed in this largely residential lake setting. Chinook and sockeye salmon and steelhead trout migrate through the lake, but rules are in place to help protect these species. The nearly 40-acre lake, also known as Louise Lake, is encircled by private homes. There is no boat launch so leave your trailered boat a home for this one. A tributary of the Puyallup River with a limited fishing season and some fair prospects for fall salmon, including hatchery Chinook, coho and (odd-year) pink salmon. Cottage Lake is generously stocked with rainbow trout before its spring opener and also has a nice population of native coastal cutthroat trout. Google Map and Directions to Greenwater River. Wild-life Guide Service . Bait Shops. At the end of this article, youll see our Fishing in Neighboring Counties feature to link you to many of the very best fishing spots throughout the Puget Sound area. line. Access is somewhat limited here, but you can hand-launch a boat from a WDFW access on the south end, off SE 371st Street. This sprawling lake spreads its bass, panfish and even tiger muskies out across some 2,400 acres during the summer. Washington Fish Reports; About. The trout are stocked as catchable fish for the late April opener of this seasonal lake, while the kokanee are planted as young fish that grow to catchable size. Kapowsin also is home to pretty good largemouth bass fishing (with a few big bass around) and has a variety of panfish. If runs rebound, the Green likely will be among the top places to fish in the region. There also are some prospects for shellfishing in the region, including for prized Dungeness crabs. Between those two trout-fishing times, Bonney Lake is best fished for resident largemouth bass, yellow perch, sunfish and bullhead catfish. There is excellent bank access and a place to launch your carry in your small watercraft at Lake Fenwick Park, which also has a variety of other park amenities good for a family visit. WDFW manages hundreds of water access areas throughout Washington, providing recreational access to the state's lakes, rivers, and marine waters. Google Map and Directions to Langlois Lake. This city park lake in Kent gets a dose of stocked trout every spring, when fishing here is most popular and productive. Were not enthusiastically recommending this roughly 1,000 acre urban lake, but its prominent right there in the heart of Seattle. Well, if youre willing to trudge up and back down for a total of A few marked steelhead are harvested in the lower section but this isnt a major draw. This relatively small lake near Eatonville offers very good trout fishing when it opens in late April and May. Lake Killarney also has a varied warmwater fishery that includes largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish and brown bullhead catfish. Besides Tacoma, the other cities and communities in Pierce County include Auburn (part), Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Edgewood, Fife, Fircrest, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Milton (part), Orting, Pacific (part), Puyallup, Roy, Ruston, Sumner, Spanaway, Steilacoom and University Place, as well as plenty of smaller communities. Little Roche-A-Cri Creek Friendship Park, North Main Street Friendship, WI Notes: Panfish, largemouth bass, catfish, walleye and musky. Thats when the lake is stocked with more than 5,000 hatchery rainbow trout. Baptizing Pond 2.4 miles. With those kinds of numbers in a small space, it can get pretty crowded, not surprisingly. Solitude: 2 out of 5 starsDifficulty to reach: 3 out of 5 stars. Its located in a neighborhood roughly across I-5 from American Lake. Waughop Lake, just north of Louise Lake in Lakewood, has been stocked with trout (and perhaps coho salmon) in the past but is currently not on WDFWs planting schedule. Pierce County: To the south, from salmon and trout near Tacoma to hike-in lakes in the high mountains, surprising number of fishing spots for such a populous county. 2. Lake Holm also offers fishing for largemouth bass, which will be most active in late spring through early fall when the water is warmer. This 35-acre lake near Auburn and Federal Way (also called Fivemile Lake) is stocked with several thousand rainbow trout in the spring, and fishing for those will be best in the weeks after the planting. The system accounted for well over 6,000 chum tagged in a recent season, with most of those coming in November but still going into December. We gather together for friendship, connections, support, insights, fun, and laughter. The lake has been stocked with brown trout in the past, but WDFWs recent planting schedules dont show these fish being added. Google Map and Directions to Cottage Lake Park. Before we get to those, wed also like to recommend that you take a peek at the Fishing in Neighboring Counties feature down below. Spanaway Lake has pretty good largemouth bass fishing and is one of the best spots to catch a rock bass, which is smaller and technically a member of the sunfish family. View Map Find Local Fishing Spots on the Interactive Map! See a separate listing for Killarney, which also is stocked with trout. Trout and salmon season starts on the streams in early April and moves to the lakes and ponds as ice-out progresses through April and May. Lake Boren, a 16-acre pond close to Renton, also is year-round home to resident cutthroat trout, which you might catch on occasion, especially when the water is cooler. Google Map and Directions to Snoqualmie River (MacDonald Park). This roughly 85-acre lake in Sammamish is quite heavily stocked with hatchery rainbow trout for its late April opener, when trout fishing is excellent. This good-sized lake (about 280 acres) in the Black Diamond area offers a nice variety of fishing options including trout, kokanee and bass and panfish. There also is fishing for marine species including squid, sanddabs and other types of flatfish, dogfish and a few other fish species, and some modest shellfishing, especially for crabs. Migrating Chinook are most often caught here in mid- to late-summer, with August often a good bet. Google Map and Directions to Lake Number 12. its expansive property. This Trout Lake also is home to resident populations of largemouth bass and panfish including bluegill and crappie. Pinks return only during odd-numbered years. Washington County Fishing Charters, and Guides. Sockeye and Chinook salmon and steelhead trout all migrate into and through the lake, but harvesting these species as well as kokanee is prohibited under typical annual regulations. The suburban version of Trout Lake is in the Lakeland South area south of Federal Way and Auburn, at the southern edge of King County. Pierce Countys Silver Lake is loaded with stocked rainbow trout in the spring, when limits should be fairly easy. This 15-acre seasonal fishing lake on Key Peninsula is primarily known for hatchery rainbow trout, which are stocked in modest numbers during the spring, when catching them will be easiest. Find the experience that . Google Map and Directions to Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area. The best public access, including an unimproved boat launch, is at Lowell Johnson Park on the north side of the lake off Guthrie Road. Thats because public access to the lake isnt available. Bear Hammock Lakes 1.3 miles. Look for excellent access at Pine Lake Park, including a large fishing dock. Winter steelhead and trout fishing remains open for a spell after salmon angling closes, but wild steelhead and most trout must be released and there are selective rules that ban bait (among other restrictions).