Trout Lake, Washington: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Trout Lake is a Chelan County water, Washington side. It stands 4,780 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 14 acres — small enough to read in one session. Head to Leavenworth, 12 miles away, for anything you forgot. After that come Cashmere at 21 miles and Cle Elum at 25 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Trout Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Public occurrence data for Chelan County names cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and sockeye salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Anyone new to Trout Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 54°F on average, December about 21°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early May and starts locking again about mid November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Time your trip to Trout Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Little Caroline Lake sits 1.9 miles off and takes the overflow. The position on Trout Lake is worth confirming on the day.