Erdman Lake Fishing near Belfair, Washington

• Overview

  Erdman Lake stands in Mason County, Washington. It sits 3.7 miles in from the sea. The water measures roughly 17 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Belfair sits 7.5 miles from the bank. After that come Allyn at 8.5 miles and Key Center at 13 miles. Round about: Collins Lake at about 0.6 miles, Haven Lake a touch under 0.8 miles, Howell Lake at about 1.1 miles, Larson Lake a touch under 1.1 miles and Shoe Lake at about 1.1 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Erdman Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Across Mason County, recorded fish include Chum salmon, cutthroat trout, Coho salmon, largemouth bass and rainbow trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Work Erdman Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year August sits at 63°F and January at 39°F. Summer heat is the limit here, not winter cold. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. On Erdman Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. The nearest mapped parking is 0.9 miles away, so the last stretch is on foot. Toilets show in mapping about 0.9 miles away. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Collins Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Erdman Lake before loading the car.