Upper Melakwa Lake Fishing near Tanner, Washington

• Overview

  Look for Upper Melakwa Lake in King County, Washington. Everything around it is mixed woodland. Small even by pond standards, it rewards one careful line. On size it sits at the modest end of our King County list. For supplies, Tanner is 13 miles out. For a city, Renton is 35 miles off. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Upper Melakwa Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Across King County, recorded fish include Chum salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon and sockeye salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Upper Melakwa Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 57°F, the coldest about 26°F. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Time your trip to Upper Melakwa Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. There is a toilet block some 160 yards out. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Melakwa Lake, 0.2 miles away. Ask locally about Upper Melakwa Lake if anything is unclear.