Fishing at Itswoot Lake, Chelan County, Washington

• Overview

  Within Chelan County, Washington, you have Itswoot Lake. Elevation runs to 5,010 feet. With some 37 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. On our Chelan County list it sits near the top for size. Nearest town is Darrington, 24 miles off. Gold Bar follows at 42 miles, then Granite Falls at 43 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Itswoot Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Chelan County include cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, sockeye salmon and Chinook salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Anyone new to Itswoot Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 24°F in December to roughly 56°F in August. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan around that when you fish Itswoot Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Should this one be busy, Cub Lake is 0.4 miles off. Check the position on Itswoot Lake before loading the car.