Fishing at Slaughterhouse Lake, Yakima County, Washington

• Overview

  The Yakima County entry here is Slaughterhouse Lake, in Washington. The country round it is dry rangeland from end to end. It covers about 23 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is among the larger waters listed here for Yakima County. Nearest place of any size is Mabton, 1.8 miles away. After that come Grandview at 5.9 miles and Sunnyside at 6.3 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Slaughterhouse Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Yakima County records list rainbow trout, pumpkinseed, mountain whitefish and cutthroat trout among the fish reported. The county list is broader than any single water. Slaughterhouse Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 32°F in December to roughly 72°F in July. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. On Slaughterhouse Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Horseshoe Lake, 0.4 miles out. None of that is settled for Slaughterhouse Lake in what we hold.