Mattoon 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.

Mattoon Lake is located near Ellensburg. It has a year-round season with excellent angling opportunities for 8- to 14-inch rainbow trout from early spring to summer. The lake is also stocked with jumbo rainbow trout (1-1.5 lbs each) in the spring.

Later in the fall, Mattoon is stocked with some large 6-12 lb rainbow trout broodstock. The lake has good bank fishing opportunity for those who do not have boats, although the lake can get quite weedy in the summer.

There is a boat launch, but internal combustion engines are prohibited. This is a great place to take the family for a fun fishing outing. No camping.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Good WDFW shoreline access around the lake and a boat launch.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Kittitas
Acreage: 26.10 ac.
Elevation: 1491 ft.
Center: 46.977364, -120.550637
Open in Google Maps

View larger map

Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: MATTOON LK (KITT)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Dec 1, 2022	Rainbow	100	0.2	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
May 17, 2022	Rainbow	3,000	2.5	NACHES HATCHERY
Mar 21, 2022	Rainbow	3,000	2.4	NACHES HATCHERY
Mar 9, 2022	Rainbow	300	0.8	NACHES HATCHERY
Mar 7, 2022	Rainbow	3,000	2.5	NACHES HATCHERY
Dec 8, 2021	Rainbow	50	0.1	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Dec 8, 2021	Rainbow	100	0.2	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
May 17, 2021	Rainbow	3,000	2.5	NACHES HATCHERY
Mar 29, 2021	Rainbow	3,036	2.3	NACHES HATCHERY
Mar 10, 2021	Rainbow	300	0.8	NACHES 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.

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.

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.