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

• Overview

  Out in King County, Washington, sits Bonnie Lake. Height above sea level is 4,875 feet. The water measures roughly 8 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Tanner sits 23 miles from the bank. It is 43 miles to Bellevue, the nearest city. Water in the same corner: Tank Lakes at 0.4 miles, Foehn Lake lies 0.6 miles on, Tahl Lake at 0.7 miles, Azurite Lake lies 1.1 miles on and Otter Lake at 1.1 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Bonnie Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. King County records list Chum salmon, Coho salmon and Chinook salmon among the fish reported. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Work Bonnie Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 55°F and December about 23°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early May until roughly late November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Bonnie Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Failing this one, try Tank Lakes, 0.4 miles away. For Bonnie Lake in particular, ask before you travel.