Zyistra Lake Fishing near Friday Harbor, Washington

• Overview

  Look for Zyistra Lake in the San Juan County part of Washington. The shore lies 2.9 miles out. At about 50 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Bank access stretches around 1.1 miles in total. It is low-lying compared with other Washington water we list. Supplies mean a trip to Friday Harbor, 3.4 miles off. Cadboro Bay is 10 miles and Gordon Head 11 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Zyistra Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in San Juan County include Coho salmon, tidepool sculpin and Pacific staghorn sculpin. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Zyistra Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 40°F and August at about 61°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Whether it freezes depends on the year. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Time your trip to Zyistra Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Parking is mapped about half a mile from the bank. Zylstra Lake Preserve covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Margos Lake, 0.7 miles out. For Zyistra Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.