Phantom Lake in Yakima County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Washington holds Phantom Lake, in Yakima County. The setting is rolling bush. The far bank is a conversation away, so keep low and quiet. Most waters listed here for Yakima County are larger. Head to Tieton, 27 miles away, for anything you forgot. The big place round here is Kent, 75 miles distant. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Phantom Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Species logged across Yakima County include rainbow trout, pumpkinseed, mountain whitefish and cutthroat trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Take Phantom Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 56°F, the coldest about 25°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late April. Averages suggest open water from about late April through to roughly late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Phantom Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. 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. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Conrad Lake, 2.6 miles away. None of that is settled for Phantom Lake in what we hold.