Hamar Lake near Darrington: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Hamar Lake stands in Skagit County, Washington. Elevation runs to 4,350 feet. It is pond-in-a-field scale, with the far bank a short lob away. Our Skagit County list holds plenty of bigger water. Darrington is the closest place, 18 miles off. Arlington Heights lies 38 miles off, Granite Falls another 39 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Hamar Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Survey and observation records for Skagit County include Coho salmon, Chum salmon and pink salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Anyone new to Hamar Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 56°F at the top of summer and 24°F at the bottom of winter. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It holds true on Hamar Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Enjar Lake at 0.2 miles is the sensible second choice. Nothing on Hamar Lake should be assumed from this page alone.