Long Lake, Washington: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Okanogan County end of Washington holds Long Lake. Height above sea level is 2,579 feet. About 12 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Tonasket is the closest place, 15 miles off. The big place round here is Kelowna, 89 miles distant. Others worth noting: Round Lake sits 0.6 miles out, Ell Lake 1.1 miles away, Cathrene Cecile Lake sits 4.2 miles out, Lounsbury Lake 8.8 miles away and Davis Lake sits 9 miles out. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Survey and observation records for Okanogan County include rainbow trout, largemouth bass, sockeye salmon, yellow perch and smallmouth bass. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. At Long Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 22°F in January and 64°F in August. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late March. From about late March to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. On Long Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. A boat ramp sits about half a mile from the water. Parking within half a mile means no long carry with tackle. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Round Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. What applies at Long Lake may have changed since it was mapped.