Lake Victoria Fishing Guide, Chelan County, Washington

• Overview

  The Chelan County end of Washington holds Lake Victoria. Beyond the shoreline you have lake country bush. With some 25 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Size puts it in the front rank of our Chelan County list. Nearest place of any size is Leavenworth, 8.7 miles away. Further out sit Cashmere (18 miles) and West Wenatchee (25 miles). The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Lake Victoria

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Survey and observation records for Chelan County include cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and sockeye salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Lake Victoria fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August near 54°F and December near 21°F on the long-run figures. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early May. Averages place the thaw at early May and the freeze at mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. The season on Lake Victoria rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Lake Ruth sits 0.8 miles off and takes the overflow. Ask locally about Lake Victoria if anything is unclear.