Fishing at Lake Cushman, Mason County, Washington

• Overview

  Washington holds Lake Cushman, in Mason County. Around the bank it is rolling hill. This is big water, about 6.3 sq miles, and in a wind it behaves like a small sea. The shoreline runs to about 19 miles, far more than one trip can cover. Of the waters listed here in Mason County, this is the largest. Nearest town is Shelton, 20 miles off. Belfair lies 21 miles off, Allyn another 22 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lake Cushman

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Species logged across Mason County include Chum salmon, cutthroat trout, Coho salmon, largemouth bass and rainbow trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Fish Lake Cushman to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 60°F; the cold one sits at 37°F. Fishing continues through most of the calendar, with quiet spells rather than closures. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Plan any trip to Lake Cushman around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. A jetty or pier is mapped about half a mile from here. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Wagonwheel Lake, 3.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. What applies at Lake Cushman may have changed since it was mapped.