Opal Lake Fishing Guide, Kittitas County, Washington

• Overview

  Opal Lake sits within Kittitas County in Washington. Height above sea level is 5,988 feet. Compared with other Washington water on our list, it sits high. Head to Cle Elum, 19 miles away, for anything you forgot. Renton is the closest city, 53 miles away. In the same area: 0.6 miles out stands Lake Terence, Michael Lake about 1.1 miles, 3 miles out stands Moonshine Lake, Diamond Lake about 4 miles and 4.7 miles out stands Gallaher Head Lake. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Opal Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Kittitas County records list cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and largemouth bass among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Take Opal Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 23°F to 58°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Climate averages put the opening at about mid April and the closing near late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Time your trip to Opal Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Lake Terence, 0.6 miles out. Check the current arrangement for Opal Lake.