Bathtub Lakes near Granite Falls: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Bathtub Lakes is set in Snohomish County, Washington. Open valley runs right down to the water. Surface area runs to about 2 acres — small enough to read in one session. On size it sits at the modest end of our Snohomish County list. Granite Falls sits 8.9 miles from the bank. The big place round here is Everett, 21 miles distant. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Bathtub Lakes

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Survey and observation records for Snohomish County include Chinook salmon, pink salmon and Coho salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Bathtub Lakes gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 60°F, the coldest about 34°F. The season stretches long at both ends here. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Bathtub Lakes fishes to that pattern most years. As the season turns, fish follow food rather than temperature alone.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. The water borders Mount Pilchuck State Park, so expect the reserve rules to apply. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Summit Lake at 0.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Rules at Bathtub Lakes are worth checking on the day.