Shovel Lake Fishing near Morton, Washington

• Overview

  Shovel Lake lies within the bounds of Skamania County, Washington. The surface lies 4,652 feet up. About 20 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Size puts it in the front rank of our Skamania County list. 17 miles away sits Morton, the nearest town. After that come Amboy at 33 miles and Yacolt at 35 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Shovel Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Species logged across Skamania County include Chinook salmon, Coho salmon and rainbow trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Shovel Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 59°F; by January the average is down near 29°F. The calendar is generous: something works in nearly every month. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. It sets the rhythm of the year at Shovel Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. A campsite lies half a mile away for anyone staying over. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is Holmstedt Lake, 0.4 miles out. Signs at Shovel Lake carry more weight than any list.