Fishing at Overcoat Lake, Kittitas County, Washington

• Overview

  Kittitas County, Washington, is where Overcoat Lake sits. It lies 5,745 feet above sea level. About 13 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It sits higher than most water we list in Washington. Tanner at 21 miles is the nearest place to stop. Then Riverbend, 21 miles, and Wilderness Rim, 22 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Overcoat Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Kittitas County: cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and largemouth bass. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. At Overcoat Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 55°F; the cold one sits at 23°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early May. Averages place the thaw at early May and the freeze at late November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. At Overcoat Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. 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. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Iceberg Lake, 1.1 miles away. Signs at Overcoat Lake carry more weight than any list.