Summit Lake near Buckley: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Summit Lake is listed under Pierce County, Washington. It sits at 5,377 feet above sea level. Small at around 23 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It sits higher than most water we list in Washington. 13 miles away sits Buckley, the nearest town. It is 30 miles to Kent, the nearest city. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Summit Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Pierce County include pink salmon, sockeye salmon, largemouth bass, Chum salmon and Coho salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. At Summit Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 31°F to 57°F. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. On Summit Lake the same rules apply, with local timing. The week either side of a change of season often fishes hardest.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Overnight stays are possible about 30 yards out, where camping is mapped. Mapping shows a picnic spot within half a mile. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. For a change of water, Lily Lake is 0.8 miles distant. Confirm access to Summit Lake locally before you travel.