Camp Lake Fishing near Darrington, Washington

• Overview

  Snohomish County, Washington, is where Camp Lake sits. Height above sea level is 5,669 feet. Surface area runs to about 11 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is high ground by Washington standards. The closest town, Darrington, is 20 miles distant. Everett is the closest city, 46 miles away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Camp Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Snohomish County records list Chinook salmon, pink salmon, Coho salmon, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed among the fish reported. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The shape of Camp Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 24°F to 56°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near late November in autumn. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Anyone fishing Camp Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. You can camp half a mile off, which suits an early start. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Lake Byrne is 0.5 miles off. Check the position on Camp Lake before loading the car.