Fishing at Blue Lake, Okanogan County, Washington

• Overview

  Blue Lake is set in Okanogan County, Washington. The bank is 1,677 feet above sea level. It measures about 183 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The margin runs to about 3.3 miles in total. It ranks high for size among our Okanogan County listings. Tonasket lies 12 miles from the water. Omak lies 20 miles off, Oroville another 21 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Blue Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Species logged across Okanogan County include rainbow trout, largemouth bass, 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 Blue Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 22°F in December up to 63°F in August. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late March. The open-water window runs from around late March to about late November in an average year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Blue Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Parking is at Blue Lake Water Access, some half a mile off. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Crowder Pond, 2.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. For Blue Lake in particular, ask before you travel.