Kittitas County Lakes
Cle Elum Lake (4,810 acres): About seven miles northwest of the town of Cle Elum. Fishing season is open year-round, but there are no boat-launching facilities after mid-summer due to excessive reservoir drawdown. This large storage reservoir gets light fishing pressure, and is a fair producer of eight- to 12-inch kokanee. Trolling is most effective. Some lake trout (mackinaw) are taken each spring, and burbot are also available. The lake is closed to fishing for bull trout; please carefully release any bull trout that are hooked. Cle Elum has a generous kokanee catch limit; check the regulations pamphlet for details.
Cooper Lake (120 acres): This high lake (2,788 feet) 3-1/2 miles northwest of Salmon-La-Sac is accessible by Forest Service road from the upper Cle Elum River.Year-round open fishing season. Cooper is a consistent producer of brook trout and rainbows seven to 10 inches. Brown trout in the one- to three-pound range have been caught in recent years. Small kokanee and cutthroat are also taken. A boat launch is available, but all motors are prohibited by county ordinance.
Easton Lake (237 acres): One mile northwest of the town of Easton. Open season runs from the Saturday before Memorial Day through October 31. This lake has fair fishing after late May for eight- to 10-inch rainbow trout. There is an eight-inch minimum size limit and two-fish daily limit on trout other than eastern brook trout. The lake is closed to fishing for bull trout.
Fio Rito lakes (54 acres total): About three miles southeast of Ellensburg, alongside I-82, with access via Thrall Road. Year-round open fishing season. Fishing should be good for eight- to 14-inch rainbow trout, with some brown trout available. A few broodstock rainbows in the six- to 12-pound range are stocked in late fall. North Fio Rito will receive a plant of large triploid rainbows again this year. Black crappie and yellow perch may also be caught. Good access facilities for shore anglers and car-topper boats, but internal combustion engines are prohibited. Disabled accessibility - level 1. WCT, Blk Tpa, Blk Tp trails to lake, shelters.
High lakes: Many unlisted alpine lakes offer good fishing for trout. For more information, please contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife Region 3 office in Yakima and request a copy of the booklet Region Three High Lakes Primer.
Hyas Lake (124 acres): A short trail hike above Fish Lake in the headwaters of the Cle Elum River, at 3550 feet elevation. Year-round open fishing season. Hyas offers good brook trout angling from July through September. Fish are eight to 14 inches, but sometimes difficult to catch.
Kachess Lake (4,540 acres): About five miles west of Cle Elum Lake, just north of I-90. Year-round open season. Kachess should be fair for eight- to 12-inch kokanee by early June. Rainbows, cutthroat and burbot are also taken. There is a 16-fish catch limit for kokanee, in addition to the two-fish, 12-inch minimum size trout daily limit. The lake is closed to fishing for bull trout; please carefully release any bull trout that are hooked. A very popular lake with good camping areas and good boat launching.
Keechelus Lake (2,560 acres): Three miles southeast of Snoqualmie Pass, along the south side of I-90. Take the Hyak exit from I-90. Year-round open season. Fishing here can be very good at times, primarily in May and June, for eight- to 12-inch kokanee. Burbot are also available. Kokanee and trout limits are the same as in Kachess (see above). The lake is closed to fishing for bull trout; please carefully release any bull trout that are hooked. Keechelus gets light fishing pressure, with poor boat launching after the reservoir is drawn down.
Lavender Lake (20.3 acres): Three miles east of Lake Easton State Park, near the north side of I-90. Year-round open season. Expect good fishing for rainbow trout. Disabled accessibility - level 2. WCT.
Lost Lake (145 acres): You'll find this lake about a mile west of Keechelus Lake. Year-round open season. Small kokanee and brook trout provide most of the action. Although brookies average only nine inches, there are some lunkers. Larger triploid rainbow trout will also be stocked this year. The daily limit is five trout, with no more than one over 14 inches.
Manastash Lake (23 acres): Nineteen miles west of Ellensburg. Year-round open season. A consistent producer of eight- to 14-inch eastern brook trout, but heavy algae blooms in mid-summer can make fishing tough. This high-country lake (5000 feet elevation) is usually accessible to four-wheel drive vehicles by late May.
Mattoon Lake (25 acres): Located at Ellensburg. Open season is year-round. This lake offers good fishing for eight- to 14-inch rainbow trout, and larger triploid rainbows will be planted again this year. A few broodstock rainbows in the six- to 12-pound range are stocked in late fall. Mattoon offers a good bank fishing opportunity for those who do not have boats. Internal combustion engines are prohibited here. Disabled accessibility - Level 3. Small dock.
The Washington Department of Health (DOH) has issued this fish consumption advisory for the Yakima River due to DDT and DDE contamination: all anglers are recommended to limit consumption of mountain whitefish, common carp, bridgelip sucker and all bottom fish to one meal per week. For more information, contact the DOH Office of Environmental Health Assessments at (877) 485-7316 or visit the DOH website.