Fishing at Lake Julius, Chelan County, Washington

• Overview

  Lake Julius is a Chelan County water, Washington side. The bank gives way to mixed forest. Surface area runs to about 14 acres — small enough to read in one session. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Washington listings. The closest town, Leavenworth, is 14 miles away. It is 62 miles to Bellevue, the nearest city. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Lake Julius

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Chelan County records list cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon and largemouth bass among the fish reported. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. The near bank of Lake Julius is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 55°F and December reads 21°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. The water is typically free of ice between early May and mid November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. The season on Lake Julius follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Lake Donald, 0.7 miles away. Treat access at Lake Julius as something to verify.