Fish Lake (Chelan County)

About 16 miles north of Leavenworth, a mile northeast of Lake Wenatchee. Access is primarily through the Forest Service approved private concession "Cove Resort". There is also some limited "walk-in" shore access on USFS land to the east end of the lake on both the north and south shores via Chiwawa River Rd. and Nat. Forest Rd. 6202. This lake produces good fishing throughout the year. Angling effort is mostly split between trout and perch. Fishing for stocked Kokanee and Rainbow Trout is best during the spring and fall months. Some nice sized Brown Trout are available at times for those willing to work at it. A good population of Largemouth Bass can provide some fun action in the spring and summer months with some very nice fish available. Perch fishing is the most popular and best in the winter through the ice, but good catches are made all year. Since 2020, Kokanee fry are stocked each spring and are now showing up in the fishery as catchable size up to 12". Anglers are encouraged to remove as many Largemouth Bass and Yellow Perch as the daily limit provides in order to decrease their competition effects on the Kokanee and trout species.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Good for ice fishing

Shoreline access: Good - USFS property borders portions of this lake as well as one private resort that allows anglers to fish from shore and docks for a fee.

There is a $5 fee to launch watercraft and to fish from the resort fishing dock.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Chelan
Acreage: 492.50 ac.
Elevation: 1933 ft.
Center: 47.834435, -120.704719
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: FISH LK (CHEL)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
May 23, 2006	Rainbow	4,500	3	CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Apr 14, 2006	Rainbow	1,619	2.49	CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Apr 13, 2006	Rainbow	3,984	2.49	CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Jun 8, 2005	Rainbow	3,380	2.6	CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Jun 6, 2005	Rainbow	3,900	2.6	CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Jun 1, 2005	Rainbow	7,436	2.86	CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
May 19, 2005	Rainbow	7,175	2.87	CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Apr 29, 2005	Rainbow	3,520	2.2	WELLS HATCHERY
Apr 28, 2005	Rainbow	4,305	2.87	CHELAN PUD HATCHERY
Apr 14, 2005	Rainbow	5,510	2.9	CHELAN PUD HATCHERY

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.

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.

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.

Northern pikeminnow

Fishing success for Northern Pikeminnow increases in May and June as water temperatures increase, and generally peaks in late June, although fishing conditions can vary throughout the Columbia River. After a lull during the heat of summer, fishing success peaks again in late September-early October. Northern Pikeminnow congregate in rocky areas with fast currents near dams, islands, stream mouths, points, eddies, rows of pilings, and ledges or bars in the river. Sunrise, sunset, and night are generally the best fishing times. Studies show there are greater concentrations of Northern Pikeminnow in shallow water during low-light conditions.