Fishing Lake Chelan

Popular Fish Species
Lake Chelan Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
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Lake Chelan, WA

Popular Fish Species Lake Chelan, WA

Lake Chelan Popular Fish - Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee Salmon Fishing

Sockeye salmon which remain landlocked, never migrating to the ocean, are called kokanee salmon. On-going stocking of kokanee salmon by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife helps to maintain a nice population for the fishery. Typically kokanee average one to two pounds. As one of the premiere kokanee fishing lakes in Washington, Lake Chelan delivers plenty of fish above normal averages. These tasty fish school in lakes at depths which remain at ideal temperatures of between 48 and 58 degrees. Once this depth is identified, use a fish finder to locate schools. Use small lures trolled at the appropriate depth. The can also be caught using corn, but the main way they are caught is using flashy lures which they attack when the lure intrudes their space. In winter, once the ice is safe, try ice fishing for kokanee.

Lake Chelan Popular Fish - Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon Fishing

Chinook Salmon, like all Pacific salmon, die after spawning. Fishing for salmon can allow anglers the opportunity to catch large specimens. They grow large and put up a great fight when hooked. Chinook Salmon have been stocked in Lake Chelan for many years. Fish for chinook with down riggers to troll around the thermocline. Use flashers, trailed with bait for best results. The current Washington state record for chinook salmon stands at over 68 pounds. Chinook salmon are also known as king salmon.

Lake Trout Fishing

Year round, fishing for lake trout in Lake Chelan is often quite good and the fish are plentiful. These large trout prefer water below 60 degrees, however they can be caught from as shallow as 15 to 30 feet in Spring and Fall, to as deep as 150 feet or more during Summer and Winter. It is a monumental assistance to use fish finders, or other electronics to help in locating these roaming schools of lake trout. They feed on baitfish and other small fish, so jigs rigged to imitate their prey often work well straight down under the boat. Trolling with numerous set-ups can also produce good catches. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing for big lake trout with spoons can deliver some great catches.

Lake Chelan Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, lake trout, cutthroat, chinook salmon, kokanee, whitefish and burbot at Lake Chelan in Washington.

If you like camping, boating and fishing, Lake Chelan is your dream come true. Swimming in this 33,000-acre lake are bass, trout, salmon, whitefish, kokanee and burbot. This dream destination is located in the north-central part of the state, at Chelan Falls, WA.

Chelan Lake has about 140 miles of shoreline, most of which is not accessible for fishing from shore. However, there are areas at the campgrounds, parks and along Lakeshore Drive where anglers can fish from the bank, or launch a canoe or kayak. The elevation is 1,100 ft above sea level. There is good fishing year round, although some areas of the lake are closed during Spring, so check regulations before fishing.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Chelan

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Chelan Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Lake Shores Watercraft and Boat Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats and runabouts
509 682-2222

Shoreline Watercraft & Boat Rental
Rentals: Pontoon boats
509 682-1515

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Chelan River Park Public Boat Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, at the west end of the Webster Ave Bridge, off E Farnham Ave, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lake Chelan State Park Public Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off S Lakeshore Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Old Mill Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, north side, off Mill Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off NF 23 Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Marinas

Manson Bay Marina
86 Pedoi Street
Manson, WA 98831
509 687-9635

Sunset Marina Lake Chelan
1350 W. Woodin Avenue
Chelan, WA 98816
509-682-7777