Glacier Lake, Washington: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Glacier Lake belongs to King County, Washington. Elevation runs to 4,806 feet. It measures about 51 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 1.2 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. It ranks high for size among our King County listings. Leavenworth is the closest place, 23 miles off. Gold Bar lies 29 miles off, Tanner another 31 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Glacier Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. King County records list Chum salmon, Coho salmon and Chinook salmon among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. At Glacier Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year August sits at 55°F and December at 22°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Count the season from break-up, usually early May. Ice clears near early May and comes back about late November in a typical year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Time your trip to Glacier Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Surprise Lake is 0.7 miles off. Ask locally about Glacier Lake if anything is unclear.