With over 50 miles of crystal blue waters surrounded by hills of orchards and vineyards, not only is Lake Chelan one of the most picturesque places to fish, it's also home to some of the best fishing in the Northwest. Chinook Salmon, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Burbot and Kokanee are all abundant in the cool, deep water, with over 800,000 stocked and landlocked in the lake each year. Here, hooking a 20-pound fish isn't unusual. The largest species is Lake Trout (Mackinaw), which holds the state record set in 2014, a 35-pound, 10-ounce trout.
And while you’re in the Chelan area, make sure to try your hand at these nearby lakes and rivers:
Wapato Lake
Where:10 miles from Chelan in Manson
What: Rainbow Trout, Large Mouth Bass, Bluegill and Crappie
Roses Lake
Where: 10 miles from Chelan in Manson
What: Rainbow Trout, Bass and Catfish
Alta Lake
Where: 20 miles north of Chelan
What: Rainbow Trout, Large Mouth Bass and Bluegill
Stehekin River
Where: The head of Lake Chelan
What: Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout
Columbia River
Where: 3 miles from Chelan
What: Rainbow Trout, Sturgeon, Walleye, Catfish, Kind Salmon and Steelhead
Check with the WDFW for details on licenses and limits. Licenses are available at Kelly’s Ace Hardware and Chelan Walmart.
FISHING GUIDE SERVICES:
Darrell & Dad’s Family Guide Service: DarrellandDads.com
Something Catchy: 509.885.6920
Allan’s Fishing Guide Service: 509.687.3084
Lake Chelan Adventures: LakeChelanAdventures.com