Spectacle Lake

2024 Trout Derby lake

Starting soon! For more information about how the trout derby works, important dates, and prizes, visit the 2024 Trout Derby page.

Spectacle is a beautiful high lake nestled in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness northwest of Kachess Reservoir. The best way to access the lake is via the Pete Lake Trail-head in the Cle Elum drainage (directions below). The 80 acre lake sits at an elevation of 4,239 feet. There is a population of naturally reproducing Eastern Brook Trout, but they may be difficult to catch. An inflatable raft or tube would be beneficial to the angler fishing this lake. Various fly patterns or small spinners/spoons can be effective.

Getting here:

From I90 take the Roslyn/Salmon La Sac exit #80 and follow the road ~ 17.5 miles past Lake Cle Elum. Take a left across the bridge over the river onto paved Road #46; at ~ 4 miles take a right at the Cooper Lake sign (unpaved) and drive a further 2 miles past the Owhi Campground to the end of the road and the trailhead #1323. Hike past Pete Lake and in another mile or so cross sometimes cold & high Lemah Creek. Continue (trail becomes PCT) entering an old burn then ascending the hillside to the outlet waterfall. Carefully cross this & ascend another .5m until taking the right hand junction down to the lake peninsula. One way ~11 miles 1400' gain. Alternate routes: Mineral Creek, Snoqualmie Pass.

Species you might catch

Cutthroat trout

Lake information

County: Kittitas
Acreage: 77.80 ac.
Elevation: 4264 ft.
TRS: T23R12E SEC24
Center: 47.461903, -121.280689
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Fishing resources

Fish stocking info

Release Location: SPECTACLE LK (KITT)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Apr 13, 2011	Rainbow	800	0.67	TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
Sep 21, 1999	Cutthroat	3,150	214	CHELAN HATCHERY
Aug 27, 1997	Cutthroat	1,918	685	NACHES HATCHERY

Photos

Photo by WDFW