Hergert Lake Fishing in Whitman County, Washington

• Overview

  Washington holds Hergert Lake, in Whitman County. Height above sea level is 1,568 feet. About 11 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The closest town, Ritzville, is 25 miles away. For a city, Spokane is 51 miles off. In the same area: Johnson Lake 1.4 miles away, Lake Sixteen just 1.9 miles, Lake Thirty Two 2.4 miles away, Brown Lake just 3.4 miles and Texas Lake 3.5 miles away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Hergert Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Whitman County include Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, Coho salmon and bluegill. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. The shape of Hergert Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 71°F for July and 31°F for January. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Time your trip to Hergert Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Johnson Lake sits 1.4 miles off and takes the overflow. The position on Hergert Lake is worth confirming on the day.