Fort Borst Lake Fishing near Fords Prairie, Washington

• Overview

  Lewis County, Washington, is where Fort Borst Lake sits. Country round the bank runs to pine and hardwood. This is a pocket water of some 6 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Ground here is low by Washington standards. Fords Prairie at 1 mile is the nearest place to stop. Centralia is 1.2 miles away, with Chehalis at 4.3 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Fort Borst Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Public occurrence data for Lewis County names Coho salmon, rainbow trout and Chinook salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Treat Fort Borst Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 64°F and January reads 40°F. Warm months push fish deep; cool months bring them back. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Time your trip to Fort Borst Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. A launch point is recorded some 80 yards off. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Hayes Lake sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Signs at Fort Borst Lake carry more weight than any list.