Palmer Lake

Located near Loomis, Palmer is a diverse fishery with several species available that provides fishing year round. There is a BLM access site with concrete boat launch, and a DNR site with gravel launch and camping areas. A private resort is also on the lake with cabins and RV spots. The popular kokanee fishery appeared to have suffered a massive mortality event in 2016. Beginning in 2018, WDFW began restocking fry into Palmer lake to restart the kokanee fishery. The fruits of that labor will not likely be known until 2020. Yellow perch from 6-10 inches are frequently caught throughout the year. Palmer is a popular winter lake and provides good perch fishing through the ice. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are also present in the 1-3 lb range.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Good for ice fishing

Shoreline access: Good - Shore access is limited to either DNR or BLM access sites.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Okanogan
Acreage: 2032.50 ac.
Elevation: 1150 ft.
Center: 48.893104, -119.618705
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: PALMER LK (OKAN)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Jul 13, 1997	SmallMouth Bass	138	0.5	WDFW HAT (UNSPECIFIED)
Jul 12, 1997	SmallMouth Bass	37	0.5	WDFW HAT (UNSPECIFIED)

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.

Smallmouth bass

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.

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.

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.

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.

Photos

Photo by WDFW