Black Lake (Chelan County)

Also known as "Spring Hill Reservoir and Lower Wheeler Reservoir", this lake is seven miles south of Wenatchee and provides good to excellent trout fishing in the spring and fall. Access is south off of Stemilt Loop Road on Orr Creek Road. This body of water is actually a manmade reservoir operated by the Wenatchee Heights Reclamation District. Fish planted here typically include fingerling sized Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout and Brown Trout depending on availability. Please be aware that a minimum size of 18", one fish daily limit and selective gear rules now apply to this lake in an effort to provide a quality fishery.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Special fishing restrictions:

Selective gear rules in effect

Shoreline access: Good - The Northern half of the lake is bordered by Department of Natural Resources land and provides good walk in access over mild terrain.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Chelan
Acreage: 18.30 ac.
Elevation: 3424 ft.
Center: 47.303782, -120.334751
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

10 most recent fish plants in this lake
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility

Visit the Catchable Trout Plants page for a more detailed search of trout plants in this or other bodies of water. To view or download the source data for this table visit the WDFW Fish Plants dataset on the Washington State Open Data Portal

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.

Largemouth bass

Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving.

Yellow perch

Yellow Perch can be caught year-round. Fishing is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. Catch begins to decline in the fall as water temperatures cool and fish move offshore forcing anglers to pursue them in boats. Successful fishing for Yellow Perch in the winter involves either targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice.

Bluegill

Bluegill can be caught year-round, but fishing is best in the warm months of Summer. Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking during the spawn in early-Summer. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season in which to catch Bluegill, but persistent anglers can find them in schools of like-sized fish offshore.

Brown bullhead

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.