Loading trail…
Washington · Fishing
Washington has more fishable lakes, reservoirs, and marshes than most anglers get around to in a lifetime, and the 398 listings on Roamze barely scratch the surface of what the state offers.
200 spots9 townsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 200 spots
Washington has more fishable lakes, reservoirs, and marshes than most anglers get around to in a lifetime, and the 398 listings on Roamze barely scratch the surface of what the state offers. The geography alone forces variety: you can fish Scooteney Reservoir and Snakebite Reservoir out in the dry Columbia Basin near Connell, then drive a few hours west and find yourself casting into Flapjack Lakes near Hoodsport under the Olympic peaks, or working the shoreline of Sol Duc Lake near Port Angeles in the shadow of old-growth forest. The Cascades add another layer entirely, with high-country options like Tungsten Lake near Winthrop, Summit Lake near Skykomish, and Tuck Lake near Ronald that don't open up until snowpack recedes in late spring or early summer. Western Washington fills in the rest of the map with lowland lakes like Gravelly Lake near Lakewood, Long Lake near Port Orchard, and Judson Lake near Lynden that fish year-round and are accessible without a long drive or a serious hike. Whether you're after a quiet morning on Cranberry Marsh near Shelton or planning a backpacking trip to reach Indigo Lake near Darrington, Washington's sheer range of water types means there's almost always somewhere worth fishing regardless of your skill level, gear, or how much time you have.
Yes, anyone 15 or older needs a valid Washington State fishing license to fish any public water, including all the lakes and reservoirs listed here. Licenses are available through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website or at most sporting goods retailers. Some waters also require a catch record card for certain species, so check the WDFW regulations for the specific lake you're targeting before you go.
Lowland lakes like Gravelly Lake near Lakewood, Long Lake near Port Orchard, and Judson Lake near Lynden fish well from late winter through spring and again in fall when water temperatures drop and fish are more active. High-elevation lakes like Tungsten Lake near Winthrop, Flapjack Lakes near Hoodsport, and Indigo Lake near Darrington are typically inaccessible until late June or July depending on snowpack, and they cool off quickly by October. Early morning and late evening are consistently the most productive times of day across most lake types.
Cradle Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Lake Wenatchee
~34 min drive
Easy
Naches River
~1h 13m drive
Moderate
Lake Caroline
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Lake Augusta
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Lake Phoebe
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Lake Charles
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Tuck Lake
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Surprise Lake
~19 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Jade Lake
~19 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Lake Murphy
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Marmot Lake
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
lakeWild TroutFly fishing
Loomis, WA
rainbow trout
reservoirLake fishing
Coulee City, WA
walleye, largemouth bass
reservoirLake fishing
Naches, WA
rainbow trout, kokanee salmon
riverRiver fishing
Colville, WA
rainbow trout, brown trout
lakeLake fishing
Republic, WA
rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Lake fishing
Cheney, WA
Lake fishing
Leavenworth, WA
Lake fishing
Snoqualmie Pass, WA
Lake fishing
Yelm, WA
Lake fishing
Tahuya, WA
Lake fishing
Cheney, WA
Lake fishing
Union Hill-Novelty Hill, WA
Lake fishing
Shelton, WA
Lake fishing
Coulee City, WA
Lake fishing
Marblemount, WA
Lake fishing
Quincy, WA
Lake fishing
Yelm, WA
Lake fishing
Stehekin, WA
Lake fishing
Ferndale, WA
Lake fishing
Port Angeles, WA
Lake fishing
Skykomish, WA
Lake fishing
Twisp, WA
Lake fishing
Kennewick, WA
Lake fishing
Mansfield, WA
Lake fishing
Snohomish, WA
Lake fishing
Oroville, WA
Lake fishing
Sultan, WA
Lake fishing
Ione, WA
Lake fishing
Grand Coulee, WA
Several lakes on this list are stocked and have easy shoreline access that works well for beginners. Scooteney Reservoir near Connell, Bonaparte Lake near Tonasket, and Cascade Mill Pond near Yakima are all accessible without a long hike and tend to have manageable crowds outside of peak summer weekends. WDFW publishes stocking schedules on their website, which is worth checking before a family trip so you know what's been recently put in and where.
Most of the lakes listed here can be fished effectively from shore, especially the smaller ones like Conradi Lake near Castle Rock, Wildberry Lake near Tahuya, and Upper Loch Katrine near North Bend. Larger reservoirs like Scooteney and Snakebite near Connell benefit from a boat or kayak if you want to cover more water, but bank fishing near inlets and points still produces. A float tube is a practical middle ground for lakes that have limited boat launch infrastructure.
A light to medium spinning setup handles the majority of Washington lake fishing situations. For high-country lakes like Tuck Lake near Ronald or Summit Lake near Skykomish, pack light since you may be hiking in, and bring a compact rod that travels well. Layers and rain gear are non-negotiable in western Washington regardless of the forecast, and a good pair of waterproof boots matters if you're fishing marshy edges like Cranberry Marsh near Shelton or Elliot Marsh near North Fort Lewis.
