by Jai Colvin for Anglers Club Magazine, September 10, 2017

10 Yakima County Fishing Holes: High Country Hooking Done Right

Yakima is hot this time of the year, but many sport fishermen are willing to brave the heat in order to take part in some of the best Yakima Fishing Holesfishing in Washington State. These places are in lakes that do not have drought restrictions (check the WDFW site for current restrictions). Please fish early in the day, and take it easy on the fish.

The Yakima area has some of the best fishing spots for just about any type of fishing you might want to do. Famous for its fly fishing, this area draws people from all over the nation. Yakima County offers lakes, rivers, ponds and even a few out of the way secret spots that many of the locals are willing to share if you ask nicely. We spoke to some of those locals and these were 10 of the spots they boasted had the best fishing.

Bear Lake

Bear Lake is located in the Oak Creek Wildlife Area approximatley 15 miles west of Naches. It is open to fishing year-round but is not accessible by vehicle until late April or early May. The lake is stocked with cutthroat trout but there are some rainbow to catch as well.

Granger Pond

Granger Pond is a small ten acre pond located near the city of Granger. It is stocked in March and April with rainbow trout but you will also find carp, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and sucker. Granger Pond is located off 223 and is just north of the Yakima River.

Dog Lake

Dog Lake is located east of White Pass along the north side of Highway 12 in the Wenatchee National Forest. It is open to fishing year-round. The rainbow trout are jumping here. Some jumbo rainbows are also stocked, and brook trout are also available. Ice fishing is becoming increasingly popular at this easily accessible lake. There is a rough boat launch here.

Leech Lake

Leech Lake is located immediately east of White Pass near the Cascade Crest Trail on the north side of Highway 12. This lake is open to fly fishing only and is popular with the locals. The lake has excellent fishing for eight- to 12-inch brook trout and 13 to 16 inch stocked rainbow trout throughout the summer.

Naches Pk – Sportsmen Day Pond

This is a small fishing pond in Naches Park that is stocked specifically for the community of Naches — Sportsmans Day Event in September. This is open to the public but mostly geared as a kids fishing opportunity. The rainbow trout are stocked.

Mud Lake

Mud Lake will be planted with trout fingerlings in July that will need to grow for at least a year before they are of a catchable size but there are some rainbow to catch now. The private property owner closed the Mud Lake access road from Highway 410 so public drive in access is only available via the 1701 Road and Cleman Mountain or the Garrett Canyon Road. This is a small lake is seven miles northwest of Naches.

Lost Lake

Lost Lake is another small six acre lake in the Wenatchee National Forest and is popular with the locals. The lake is well stocked with catchable size rainbow trout. It is located about 30 to 45 minutes from Yakima off Hwy 12 near Rimrock Lake.

Rimrock Lake

Speaking of Rimrock Lake, this large Tieton River impoundment stretches along Highway US-12, about 10 miles east of White Pass. It is open to fishing year-round. Rimrock has good fishing for eight- to 11-inch kokanee. rainbows are also available, some up to 16 inches. This is one of the best and most popular kokanee-fishing destinations in Yakima County. Trolling and still fishing is effective and chumming is permitted. Private launch ramps are available.

Rotary Lake

Rotary Lake is located near the Greenway Trail in Yakima. It is stocked with catchable 10-13 inch rainbow trout. The lake is also stocked with 5-12 pound broodstock in the fall. largemouth bass up to seven pounds have been caught here and channel catfish up to 20 pounds. Sunfish and yellow perch are commonly caught in the pond as well.

Zillah Winery Pond

This, according to the locals is a well-kept secret. The one acre pond, located near the city of Zilla adjacent to Intersate 82, is stocked in early May with catchable size rainbow trout. There are a few warm water fish species present as well.