Lake Janus, Washington: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake Janus lies within the bounds of Chelan County, Washington. It lies 4,150 feet above sea level. With some 28 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The edge runs 1.1 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. It is among the larger waters listed here for Chelan County. The closest town, Leavenworth, is 26 miles away. It is 52 miles to Everett, the nearest city. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lake Janus

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Chelan County include cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and sockeye salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. At Lake Janus the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 57°F, the coldest about 23°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lake Janus.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Grouse Lake at 1.5 miles is the nearest alternative. For Lake Janus, the notice at the access point is the final word.