Wenatchee Lake

Fifteen miles north of Leavenworth. Several campgrounds and access areas surround the lake. This natural lake does not provide a significant resident trout fishery.

Sockeye salmon are angler's main focus on this lake. The WDFW strives to manage sockeye abundance to the point where consistent annual sport fisheries can occur. Check local newspapers, the WDFW web site, or with the WDFW regional office in Ephrata for the latest information. The lake is closed to fishing for Bull Trout so anglers are reminded to carefully release all Bull Trout that are incidentally caught. This lake is the main rearing area for these native char in the Wenatchee basin. Bull Trout are a species of concern and thus their season is closed throughout most of the state.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - State Parks and USFS land bordering the lake provide fair shoreline access.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Chelan
Acreage: 2426.70 ac.
Elevation: 1872 ft.
Center: 47.82267, -120.777756
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Fishing resources

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.

Westslope cutthroat trout

See chart for details.

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