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Washington · Fishing
Easton sits in the upper Kittitas Valley at the eastern edge of the Cascades, and the fishing around town leans almost entirely toward still water.
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Easton sits in the upper Kittitas Valley at the eastern edge of the Cascades, and the fishing around town leans almost entirely toward still water. The five lakes in and around the area — Swan Lake, Lake Ivanhoe, Kachess Lake, Spade Lake, and Joe Lake — each fish a little differently, and knowing which one matches your setup saves a wasted drive. Kachess Lake is the biggest of the group, a reservoir off I-90 with boat ramp access and enough depth to hold fish through summer. Swan Lake and Lake Ivanhoe are smaller and more accessible for shore anglers or those with a float tube. Spade Lake and Joe Lake require trail time to reach, which keeps pressure lower but means you're packing in your gear. All five are lake fisheries, so your tackle and timing should reflect that — still-water presentations, early morning and evening windows, and attention to surface temperature as the season moves. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations apply to all of these waters, and license requirements and any special rules should be confirmed on the WDFW website before you go, since rules can change season to season.
It depends on the lake. Kachess Lake has developed boat launch access and is large enough that a boat or kayak opens up significantly more water. Swan Lake and Lake Ivanhoe are smaller and more manageable from shore or with a float tube. Spade Lake and Joe Lake are hike-in destinations where a packable inflatable or float tube is worth the extra weight.
Both require hiking in on trail — they are not drive-up fisheries. You'll want to check current trail conditions through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest before heading out, as snow can linger into early summer at elevation. A Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent is typically required for trailhead parking in this area.
Joe Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Lake Wenatchee
~1h 1m drive
Easy
Alaska Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Bumping Lake
~1h 10m drive
Easy
Lake Ivanhoe
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Swan Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Spade Lake
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Kachess Lake
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Myrtle Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Nimue Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Merlin Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Locket Lake
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Late spring through early fall covers the most productive window for the lakes around Easton. Ice-out timing on the higher lakes like Spade and Joe can push your realistic start date into June depending on the year. Kachess, Swan, and Ivanhoe are accessible earlier in the season and fish well through summer if you target early morning and evening when surface temperatures are cooler.
You need a valid Washington State fishing license, available through the WDFW website or at local license vendors. Check the current WDFW regulation pamphlet for any lake-specific rules — catch limits, gear restrictions, or seasonal closures can vary by water body and change year to year.
Swan Lake, Lake Ivanhoe, and Kachess Lake are all reasonable options for beginners and families given their easier access. Spade Lake and Joe Lake involve a meaningful hike and are better suited to anglers comfortable with backcountry travel. For a first trip with kids, Kachess Lake's developed access makes logistics straightforward.
