I-82 Pond 7

One of seven gravel pit ponds that stretch from Union Gap to Zillah along Highway I-82. The ponds are open to fishing year-round, but parking and access is subject to seasonal closure. Internal combustion motors prohibited by county ordinance.

Ponds 1, 2, 3, 4 & 6 are stocked with catchable sized rainbow trout (10--13 inches) beginning in early March. These ponds were also stocked with fingerling channel catfish in 2011 (Ponds 5 & 7 were not stocked). Anglers can now expect good fishing for channel cats by bottom fishing with bait in spring \ summer months. Other species present in the ponds include sunfish, black crappie, yellow perch and largemouth bass. Largmouth bass up to eight pounds have been caught in the I-82 Ponds.

Ponds 1 and 2, located between Mellis Road and Donald Road, also support largemouth bass, yellow perch and pumpkinseed sunfish. Expect fair fishing for small pan-sized perch and sunfish with some bass up to 3+ pounds. Fishing for stocked rainbow trout should be excellent in early spring (March, April)!

Pond 3 which is east of Donald Road, provides fair fishing for channel catfish, sunfish and yellow perch. Fishing for stocked rainbow trout should be excellent in the early spring (March, April)!

Moving further east, Ponds 4 and 5 (accessed from Flint Lane) has fair fishing for sunfish, bass, black crappie and channel catfish. Fishing for stocked rainbow trout should be excellent in Pond 4 in the early spring (March, April, May)!

Buena or Pond 6 is located off Buena Loop Road, has fair fishing for sunfish, bass, black crappie and channel catfish [Note: state record channel cat, 36.2 pounds came from Pond 6 in 1999]. Fishing for stocked rainbow trout should be excellent in the early spring (March, April, May)!

Pond 7 is east of Buena, has a fair population of largemouth bass & black crappie. This pond was not stocked with rainbow trout or channel catfish.

Access to all ponds except Ponds 4 and 6 is by walk-in. However, there is a new access road that borders Highway I-82 that allows much closer access to Ponds 1 and 2.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Pond 7 has good shoreline access on WDFW land, but is walk-in only (approx 1 mile).

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Yakima
Acreage: 7.30 ac.
Elevation: 760 ft.
Center: 46.411388, -120.295347
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: I-82 PD #7 (YAKI)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Jul 9, 2001	Channel Catfish	100	1.8	MESEBERG HATCHERY
Oct 3, 2000	Black Crappie	250	0.8	MESEBERG HATCHERY

Fishing prospects calendar

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.

Black crappie

Fishing improves throughout the Spring, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull, while Fall sees an improvement as waters cool, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. During winter, the bite is slower, but anglers can have great success fishing through the ice when conditions are safe.

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish are ubiquitous in most lowland lakes and readily caught year-round. Fishing is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. 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 to catch Pumpkinseed, but persistent anglers can find nice-sized schools 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.