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.