Saw that no one had submitted any reports on this jewel of a lake in the cascades. Have fished it off and on for several decades with mixed results. The lake sits on the ridge above the Cispus close to the boundary of Goat Rocks Wilderness. The road access is decent out of Packwood on Forest Service Road 21 ( a spur leads to Chambers and the trail access for a section of the Goat Rocks). The lake has a small campground that is clean and well kept. It could be accessed with a small trailer or used to tent camp. The lake is surrounded by alpine fir that are picturesque to say the least. The shore near camp is marshy but there are several hard bank spots around the lake for the entrepid hiker or from a canoe (motors are forbidden). One can access the water with a small cartop boat from the campground...I suggest hip boots. Wonderfully clear water that bottoms out at roughly 30 feet of depth near NW end of lake. Fairly shallow near outlet (end of lake near campground) with attempted beaver dams occassionally blocking outflow. Water is very cold below first few feet even in the middle of summer. Ice-out is usually in late May or early June (this year may be later).

This lake holds brookies that were stocked many years ago (60's ???) that have managed to spawn in the outflow stream (Chambers Creek). Gorgeous colors on fish. My largest has been 16" which was a trophy for this lake. Lots of 8" - 10" brookies with an occassional rainbow/cutt (may have worked upstream from outlets confluence with the Cispus).

This lake is very productive in aquatic life. Lots of caddis, spinners, damsel and dragonflies among other insects. Also a solid population of small frogs as well as fire-bellied newts. Good hatches of insects in late afternoons particularily on flats near outlet, along base of basalt butte and in NW corner of lake. But be advised that the water is gin-clear so be cautious with your presentations.

For bait users we used to nail fish using a single maggot on a size 12 hook rollcast with a fly rod.... just letting the bait slowly settle to the bottom. Have had smatterings of success with worms. Best bet has been a size 10 Carey Special dressed sparsely...body of black dubbing. Most any dragonfly nymph pattern would work well as would a caddis. Floating line with sinking tip. Tippets should be ultra light (as should mono for casting bait.... have used 2 - 4 lb test).

Go light on the action of your rod and you will have a great time. In late summer you can enjoy some wild huckleberries along the shore. Keep an eye out for the osprey that sometimes flies over. Have seen goldeneye and one hooded merganser here as well as all sorts of birds including western tanangers. One warning is that we have encountered bear here in the past so be advised to hang food if you camp.

This is a very cool lake and a wonderful basecamp to explore the Cispus River (rainbow, cutts and brookies), Johnson Creek (rainbows and cutts), Walupt Lake (nice rainbows) and several other streams and lakes in the area. Make sure your vehicle can handle 20 miles of washboard roads and remember this season may still leave snow for several more months in the high country. Take a camera as views of Rainier, Adams and the Goat Rocks are wonderful (great viewpoint off gravel patch on spur to Chambers). Have fun exploring..............