Fishing at Chain Lake, Snohomish County, Washington

• Overview

  Chain Lake sits within Snohomish County in Washington. Oak and grass runs right down to the water. It measures about 33 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Size puts it in the front rank of our Snohomish County list. The nearest town is Monroe North, 1.7 miles away. Everett sits 12 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Chain Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Snohomish County list Chinook salmon, pink salmon, Coho salmon and largemouth bass. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Chain Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 64°F in August and bottom out at 39°F in December. Summer heat is the limit here, not winter cold. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Chain Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. A ramp is mapped within 160 yards. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Wagner Lake at 2.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Where Chain Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.