Margaret Lake near Riverbend: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Margaret Lake lies within the bounds of Kittitas County, Washington. Everything around it is rolling hill. At roughly 4 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Start from Riverbend, 20 miles down the road. Renton is the closest city, 42 miles away. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Margaret Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish documented in Kittitas County include cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, Chinook salmon and sockeye salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. The near bank of Margaret Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 26°F in January to roughly 59°F in August. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. That is the shape of the year on Margaret Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Recorded parking is 0.9 miles off, far enough to travel light. 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. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The nearest alternative is Stonesthrow Lake, 0.4 miles out. Where Margaret Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.