Arbor Lake in King County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Arbor Lake sits in King County, out in Washington. Tidal water begins 1.8 miles from here. Small at around 4 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. On size it sits at the modest end of our King County list. The nearest town is Boulevard Park, 1.5 miles away. Renton is the closest city, 5.6 miles away. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Arbor Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish documented in King County include Chum salmon, Coho salmon and Chinook salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Read Arbor Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 66°F, the coldest about 40°F. Long warm spells define the calendar more than any cold. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Arbor Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. You can leave the car about 120 yards from the water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Hicklin Lake at 1 mile is the nearest alternative. Nothing here settles the position at Arbor Lake for certain.