Fishing at King Lake, Skagit County, Washington

• Overview

  Within Skagit County, Washington, you have King Lake. The water sits 4,843 feet up. Small at around 4 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Most waters listed here for Skagit County are larger. Darrington sits 16 miles from the bank. After that come Arlington Heights at 37 miles and Granite Falls at 37 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on King Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Skagit County records list Coho salmon, Chum salmon, pink salmon, rainbow trout and Chinook salmon among the fish reported. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On King Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 55°F, while December sits near 23°F. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. Climate figures give an open season running late April to late November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Plan around that when you fish King Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Enjar Lake at 1.6 miles is the sensible second choice. Rules at King Lake are worth checking on the day.