Phantom Lake near West Lake Sammamish: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in King County, Washington, sits Phantom Lake. The bank is 256 feet above sea level. It measures about 63 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The full circuit measures close to 1.0 miles on foot. It ranks high for size among our King County listings. West Lake Sammamish sits 1.6 miles from here and is the nearest stop. The nearest city of size is Bellevue, 3.7 miles away. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Phantom Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. King County records list Chum salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and yellow perch among the fish reported. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Phantom Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 65°F, while December sits near 39°F. Heat sets the pattern from late spring onward. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. On Phantom Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is somewhere to leave the car, half a mile off. A platform or pier sits within half a mile. There are picnic tables recorded roughly half a mile off. There are toilets half a mile off. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Larsen Lake is 1.1 miles off. Confirm access to Phantom Lake locally before you travel.