Fishing Lake Union in King County, Washington

• Overview

  Out in King County, Washington, sits Lake Union. The sea is 1.7 miles distant. It measures some 757 acres, and wind has room to build across it. On our King County list it sits near the top for size. Seattle is the closest town at 2.4 miles. Further out sit Greenwood (3.8 miles) and Medina (5.2 miles). It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Lake Union

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Work the tide here — moving water feeds, slack water rests. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in King County include Chum salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon and sockeye salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Lake Union gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 65°F, while December sits near 41°F. Summer heat is the limit here, not winter cold. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. The season on Lake Union follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. Public data records a pier about half a mile out. Picnic facilities are recorded some half a mile out. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Portage Bay is 1.1 miles distant. Ask locally about Lake Union if anything is unclear.