Island Lake Fishing in King County, Washington

• Overview

  Island Lake sits within King County in Washington. The setting is open valley. About 18 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The closest town, Riverbend, is 10 miles away. Beyond it, Tanner at 10 miles and Wilderness Rim at 11 miles. What else is close: Rainbow Lake (0.3 miles), Blazer Lake some 0.5 miles off, Mason Lake (0.7 miles), Little Kulla Lake some 0.7 miles off and Lake Kulla Kulla (0.9 miles). A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Island Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for King County cover Chum salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon and sockeye salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Island Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 29°F and August at about 58°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Neither winter nor summer shuts things down for long. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Island Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. A campsite is mapped about 170 yards away, which makes an early start easier. A toilet block sits half a mile away. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Rainbow Lake sits 0.3 miles off and takes the overflow. Where Island Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.