Hager Lake, Washington: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Washington, Hager Lake belongs to Lewis County. Height above sea level is 2,992 feet. Morton lies 30 miles from the water. Eatonville is 36 miles and Crocker 41 miles. Water in the same corner: Snyder Lake a touch under 1.1 miles, Art Lake out at 2.2 miles, Glacier Lake a touch under 3.2 miles, Packwood Lake out at 3.7 miles and Bivin Lake a touch under 4.4 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Hager Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Records held for Lewis County cover Coho salmon, rainbow trout, Chinook salmon, largemouth bass and cutthroat trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Hager Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 31°F in January up to 59°F in August. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Hager Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Snyder Lake sits 1.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Where Hager Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.