Saddle Mountain Lake Fishing near Mattawa, Washington

• Overview

  Saddle Mountain Lake lies within the bounds of Benton County, Washington. Height above sea level is 472 feet. At some 582 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The outline measures near 7.9 miles, so local knowledge counts. By size it stands out even at Washington level. Some 13 miles away sits Mattawa, the nearest settlement. Tri-Cities is the closest city, 37 miles away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Saddle Mountain Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for Benton County cover smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, Chinook salmon, common carp and Coho salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Saddle Mountain Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 75°F; by January the average is down near 31°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. That is the shape of the year on Saddle Mountain Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. The nearest alternative is Moran Slough, 12 miles out. Check the position at Saddle Mountain Lake before loading the car.