Hardscrabble Lakes near Tanner: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Hardscrabble Lakes lies within the bounds of King County, Washington. It sits at 4,587 feet above sea level. Small at around 6 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The town to know is Tanner, 19 miles out. Further out sit Riverbend (20 miles) and Wilderness Rim (21 miles). One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Hardscrabble Lakes

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for King County include Chum salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon and sockeye salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Hardscrabble Lakes fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 26°F to 57°F. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. The season on Hardscrabble Lakes rarely departs from it. A settled week fishes better than a changeable one.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. If the gate is shut, Gold Lake at 1.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing here settles the position at Hardscrabble Lakes for certain.