Trap Lake (Chelan County)

Trap Lake sits in a beautiful cirque off of the Pacific Crest Trail south of Stevens Pass. Trap has a healthy population of Westslope Cutthroat Trout, and can be reached from the Tunnel Creek Pacific Crest Trail connector trail #1061 by traveling south from Hope lake on the Pacific Crest Trail about 5 miles from the trail head (see Hope Lake), or by hiking to Surprise Lake trail #1060 (see Surprise lake and Glacier Lake) and taking the Pacific Crest Trail north through Trap Pass about 6.5 miles. For parties looking for a loop trip full of fishing opportunities a car could be left at both Tunnel Creek trail #1061 and at the Surprise Lake trail head in Scenic. Breath taking campsites at Trap would make the ideal overnight destination in between parking areas.

Getting here:

Drive US 2 east to 12 miles east of Skykomish. Turn right onto Forest Road 6095 located just after crossing the Tunnel Creek Bridge at the end of the hairpin turn. (If you're coming from the east, a barrier makes it impossible to turn left onto FR 6095.) Follow FR 6095 for 1.2 miles (avoiding side roads) to a Y intersection. Bear left, coming to the trailhead in 0.1 mile (elev. 3100 ft). USFS parking pass required. No restroom.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Chelan
Acreage: 12.60 ac.
Elevation: 5175 ft.
TRS: T25R13E SEC10
Center: 47.674429, -121.12398
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Fishing resources

Fishing prospects calendar

Rainbow trout

Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide, but they can be caught year-round in most waters with a little patience and persistence. Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.

Photos

Photo by WDFW