Manastash Lake, Washington: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Manastash Lake is listed under Yakima County, Washington. Land around it is mixed forest. With some 29 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Few waters listed in Yakima County are bigger. Cle Elum lies 14 miles from the water. The big place round here is Kent, 66 miles distant. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Manastash Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Open biodiversity records for Yakima County list rainbow trout, pumpkinseed, mountain whitefish, cutthroat trout and largemouth bass. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Manastash Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 58°F, with January the cold end at about 24°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly late November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Time your trip to Manastash Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. Facilities run to toilets half a mile from the water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Lost Lake is 1.2 miles distant. For Manastash Lake in particular, ask before you travel.