Watson Lake near Pomeroy: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Washington holds Watson Lake, in Garfield County. Beyond the shoreline you have open valley. This is a pocket water of some 4 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Pomeroy is the closest town at 13 miles. Beyond it, Dayton at 15 miles and Waitsburg at 24 miles. Also on the doorstep: Beaver Lake after 0.1 miles, Deer Lake 1.4 miles off, Big Four Lake after 1.8 miles, Rainbow Lake 2 miles off and Curl Lake after 2.2 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Watson Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Survey and observation records for Garfield County include Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, Coho salmon, channel catfish and smallmouth bass. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Take Watson Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 28°F in December up to 64°F in August. In milder years the surface never sets. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. It holds true on Watson Lake more years than not. The week either side of a change of season often fishes hardest.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. There is a car park at Watson Lake, roughly half a mile away. You can camp about half a mile away, going by the mapping. 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. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Beaver Lake, 0.1 miles away. Signs at Watson Lake carry more weight than any list.