Melbourne Lake Fishing near Belfair, Washington

• Overview

  Mason County, Washington, is where Melbourne Lake sits. It sits in rolling hill country. Roughly 39 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The bank runs about 1.1 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Head to Belfair, 14 miles away, for anything you forgot. Further out sit Allyn (16 miles) and Seabeck (17 miles). The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Melbourne Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Records held for Mason County cover Chum salmon, cutthroat trout, Coho salmon and largemouth bass. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Melbourne Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 37°F and August at about 60°F, the water has a wide range to work through. In milder years the surface never sets. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. Anyone fishing Melbourne Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Tenas Lake at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Melbourne Lake before loading the car.