Ads Lake in Okanogan County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Ads Lake sits within Okanogan County in Washington. Rolling bush runs right down to the water. It covers about 7 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The nearest town is Oroville, 15 miles away. Osoyoos lies 17 miles off, Tonasket another 22 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Ads Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish documented in Okanogan County include rainbow trout, largemouth bass, sockeye salmon, yellow perch and smallmouth bass. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Treat Ads Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 62°F; by January the average is down near 19°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. The season between ice runs from about early April to late November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Ads Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Fields Lake, 0.8 miles out. Check the position on Ads Lake before loading the car.