Panhandle Lake Fishing near Morton, Washington

• Overview

  In Washington, Panhandle Lake falls inside Skamania County. The water sits 4,488 feet up. The water measures roughly 15 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is among the larger waters listed here for Skamania County. For a base, Morton sits 17 miles out. Then Amboy, 33 miles, and Yacolt, 35 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Panhandle Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Skamania County include Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Panhandle Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 57°F; by January the average is down near 31°F. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Plan around that when you fish Panhandle Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. A campsite is mapped about 160 yards away, which makes an early start easier. There is a toilet block some 170 yards out. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Shovel Lake is 0.5 miles distant. What applies at Panhandle Lake may have changed since it was mapped.