Fishing Lake Kathleen in King County, Washington

• Overview

  Lake Kathleen is listed under King County, Washington. It stands 528 feet above sea level. Around 48 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Shoreline comes to about 0.9 miles, small enough to learn in a day. Few waters listed in King County are bigger. East Renton Highlands at 1.2 miles is the nearest place to stop. Maple Heights-Lake Desire lies 2.4 miles off, Fairwood another 3.9 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Lake Kathleen

  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. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Survey and observation records for King County include Chum salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and yellow perch. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Lake Kathleen repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 38°F and August at about 65°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The awkward stretch is midsummer, not midwinter. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Plan around that when you fish Lake Kathleen.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Jones Reach Natural Area covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Lake McDonald at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Lake Kathleen are worth checking on the day.