Fishing at Boyd Lower Reservoir, San Juan County, Washington

• Overview

  The San Juan County entry here is Boyd Lower Reservoir, in Washington. It stands 413 feet above sea level. On water this small, stealth matters more than range. It is a small entry by San Juan County standards. Head to Friday Harbor, 11 miles away, for anything you forgot. The big place round here is Saanich, 25 miles distant. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Boyd Lower Reservoir

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Records held for San Juan County cover walleye pollock, Coho salmon and Pacific cod. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Take Boyd Lower Reservoir a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put August near 60°F and January near 39°F. The season stretches long at both ends here. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. The season on Boyd Lower Reservoir follows the weather closely. A settled week fishes better than a changeable one.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. For walleye, a jig and minnow near the bottom is the standard; evenings beat middays. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Boyd Middle Reservoir, 0.3 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. None of that is settled for Boyd Lower Reservoir in what we hold.