Fishing at Boot Lake, Skamania County, Washington

• Overview

  Look for Boot Lake in the Skamania County part of Washington. The setting is open valley on every side. The water measures roughly 14 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Size puts it in the front rank of our Skamania County list. Morton lies 18 miles from the water. Further out sit Amboy (33 miles) and Yacolt (35 miles). The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Boot Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged across Skamania County include Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Take Boot Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 59°F, the coldest about 29°F. The calendar is generous: something works in nearly every month. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. At Boot Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. Facilities include toilets around half a mile from here. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Failing this one, try Grizzly Lake, 0.6 miles away. For Boot Lake in particular, ask before you travel.