Bitter Lake Reservoir in King County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Bitter Lake Reservoir belongs to King County, Washington. It stands 492 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 3 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is one of the smaller waters we list in King County. For a base, Shoreline sits 1.7 miles out. The big place round here is Seattle, 8.7 miles distant. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Bitter Lake Reservoir

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Across King County, recorded fish include Chum salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and yellow perch. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. At Bitter Lake Reservoir light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 64°F and December reads 40°F. Winter here means light layers, not lost months. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. At Bitter Lake Reservoir the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. A parking area is marked roughly half a mile out. A pier or jetty stands half a mile away, which helps on a crowded bank. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Bitter Lake is 0.3 miles distant. Ask locally about Bitter Lake Reservoir if anything is unclear.