Fishing at Coal Lake, Snohomish County, Washington

• Overview

  Coal Lake stands in Snohomish County, Washington. Beyond the shoreline you have open valley. Small at around 6 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Head to Darrington, 11 miles away, for anything you forgot. It is 33 miles to Everett, the nearest city. Water in the same corner: Pass Lake lies 0.5 miles on, Independence Lake some 1.1 miles off, North Lake lies 1.6 miles on, Windon Lake some 1.8 miles off and South Lake lies 1.8 miles on. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Coal Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Snohomish County cover Chinook salmon, pink salmon and Coho salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On Coal Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 58°F for August and 29°F for December. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Plan around that when you fish Coal Lake. Late evening often out-fishes the whole afternoon.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Parking is at Coal Lake Trailhead, some half a mile off. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. If the gate is shut, Pass Lake at 0.5 miles is the nearest alternative. The position on Coal Lake is worth confirming on the day.