McIntosh Lake Fishing Guide, Thurston County, Washington

• Overview

  In Washington, McIntosh Lake belongs to Thurston County. The water sits 331 feet up. At about 110 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The edge runs 2.8 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Few waters listed in Thurston County are bigger. Rainier lies 4 miles from the water. Tenino follows at 4.2 miles, then Yelm at 9.2 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on McIntosh Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Thurston County, recorded fish include Chum salmon, largemouth bass and bluegill. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Read McIntosh Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 63°F and January near 39°F. Temperatures stay workable through the cold season. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. On McIntosh Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is a ramp at McIntosh Lake Boat Launch, 110 yards out. Public toilets are recorded roughly half a mile off. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Offutt Lake is 4.5 miles off. Check the position at McIntosh Lake before loading the car.