Peterson Lake Fishing near Port Hadlock-Irondale, Washington

• Overview

  Peterson Lake is set in Jefferson County, Washington. It sits 3.4 miles in from the sea. It measures about 28 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Few waters listed in Jefferson County are bigger. For a base, Port Hadlock-Irondale sits 6.8 miles out. The nearest city of size is Everett, 30 miles away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Peterson Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name Coho salmon, rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Peterson Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 62°F at the top of summer and 39°F at the bottom of winter. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. On Peterson Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Crocker Lake at 1.4 miles is the nearest alternative. For Peterson Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.