Alta 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.

Alta is a popular lake with anglers as fishing holds up quite well throughout the summer.  There is a state park with camping and boat launching facilities, as well as a private resort with cabins and gravel launch site. Expect rainbows in the 11-13 inch range along with carryovers to 16 inches.  Kokanee fishing has taken off since 2014 with anglers regularly harvesting fish in the 11-13 inch range.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Good shoreline access via state park and along road bordering lake.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Okanogan
Acreage: 219.60 ac.
Elevation: 1170 ft.
Center: 48.019923, -119.937769
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: ALTA LK (OKAN)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
May 11, 2023 Rainbow 365 1.3 WELLS HATCHERY
May 9, 2023 Rainbow 365 1.3 WELLS HATCHERY
Apr 19, 2023 Rainbow 1,000 1.3 WELLS HATCHERY
Apr 19, 2023 Rainbow 1,000 1.3 WELLS HATCHERY
Apr 18, 2022 Rainbow 2,015 2.26 WELLS HATCHERY
May 4, 2021 Rainbow 3,000 1.75 WELLS HATCHERY
Apr 14, 2021 Rainbow 150 2.16 WELLS HATCHERY
Oct 23, 2020 Rainbow 1,800 3 CHELAN HATCHERY
Oct 23, 2020 Rainbow 4,500 3 CHELAN HATCHERY
Oct 23, 2020 Rainbow 4,500 3 CHELAN HATCHERY
Visit the Catchable Trout Plants page for a more detailed search of trout plants in other bodies of water. To view and download the source data for this table visit the WDFW Fish Plants dataset on data.wa.gov.

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.
Chart showing fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Kokanee

The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Photos
Alta Lake
Photo by WDFW