Derrick Lake, Washington: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Within King County, Washington, you have Derrick Lake. The shore lies 39 miles out. It measures about 39 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The full circuit measures close to 1.0 miles on foot. Tanner is the closest town at 12 miles. Renton sits 34 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Derrick Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Survey and observation records for King County include Chum salmon, Coho salmon and Chinook salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Fish Derrick Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 26°F in December to roughly 57°F in August. The season stretches long at both ends here. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Plan any trip to Derrick Lake around it. Late summer often means an early start or nothing at all.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Little Derrick Lake sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Ask locally about Derrick Lake if anything is unclear.