Fishing at Basin Lake, Yakima County, Washington

• Overview

  Look for Basin Lake in Yakima County, Washington. The country round it is mixed woodland from end to end. The water measures roughly 4 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Compared with other Washington water on our list, it sits high. Cle Elum at 29 miles is the nearest place to stop. For a city, Kent is 48 miles off. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Basin Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Yakima County records list rainbow trout, pumpkinseed, mountain whitefish, cutthroat trout and largemouth bass among the fish reported. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Basin Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 54°F, the coldest about 25°F. A lid forms in a hard winter only. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Anyone fishing Basin Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Goat Lake, 1.7 miles away. Where Basin Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.