Fishing at Castle Rock Lake, Whitman County, Washington

• Overview

  Whitman County, Washington, is where Castle Rock Lake sits. It sits at 1,952 feet above sea level. It covers about 5 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Nearest town is Cheney, 21 miles off. Spokane sits 34 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Castle Rock Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. County-wide records name Chinook salmon, rainbow trout and Coho salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Read Castle Rock Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 30°F in December and 68°F in August. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. On Castle Rock Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. 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. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Failing this one, try Fire Pond, 0.6 miles away. Check the current arrangement for Castle Rock Lake.