Fishing at Mesa Lake, Franklin County, Washington

• Overview

  Set in Franklin County, Mesa Lake is a Washington water. The surface lies 741 feet up. The water covers some 53 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Around 2.0 miles of margin, front to back. It is the biggest water on our Franklin County list. Nearest place of any size is Basin City, 5.7 miles away. Tri-Cities is the closest city, 24 miles away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Mesa Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. 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. Species logged across Franklin County include yellow perch, largemouth bass, black crappie and smallmouth bass. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Fish Mesa Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 71°F and January reads 32°F. A lid forms in a hard winter only. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Mesa Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out. A grey, mild day is often better than a bright, still one.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mesa Lake Boat Launch sits about half a mile away and carries the launch. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is Duck Pond, 1.1 miles out. Nothing here settles the position at Mesa Lake for certain.