County-by-County [Y]...

This section gives a brief description of fishing opportunities in each county, arranged in alphabetical order. For specific regulation information, refer to the Fishing in Washington sport fishing rules pamphlet. Until the current year's pamphlet is available (usually by May 1 at the latest), continue to use the previous edition. Also check local newspapers or the nearest WDFW regional office for the latest information on emergency closures.

The wheelchair symbol indicates lakes or streams with enhanced accessibility.

YAKIMA COUNTY

Ahtanum Creek: This stream normally offers fair fishing for eight- to 10-inch rainbow trout and an occasional whitefish. The South Fork, bordered by the Yakima Indian Reservation, produces small rainbows and cutthroat. The Middle and North Forks contain mainly cutthroat. All of these creeks are closed to bull trout fishing. Selective gear rules are in effect for the mainstem, Middle and North forks. Check the regulations pamphlet for closed areas. June 1 through October 31 season.

American River: This moderate-sized, high-elevation river is located adjacent to the Chinook Pass Highway. Expect poor summer fishing for rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout, plus whitefish. The river is closed to fishing for bull trout, chinook salmon and steelhead. Selective gear rules are in effect. June 1 through October 31 open season.

Bear Lake (5 acres): This small lake in Oak Creek Wildlife Area, about 15 miles west of Naches, is planted with catchable rainbow trout. Although open all year to fishing, it is not accessible by vehicle until late April or early May, over a rough road. Expect fair-to-good fishing for eight- to 10- inch trout with a few to 14 inches.

Bumping Reservoir (1,310 acres): Also called Bumping Lake, this reservoir produces good kokanee fishing for six- to nine-inch fish starting in mid-May, with a generous kokanee limit. Trolling with gang trolls and maggots or still-fishing with flies and maggots is most successful. Expect fair fishing for eight- to 11-inch rainbow trout. The reservoir is closed to bull trout fishing. Excellent public camping is available at the lake, plus a good boat ramp. Year-round fishing season.

Bumping River: Hikers will find fair fishing for rainbow, eastern brook and cutthroat trout above Bumping Reservoir. Below the reservoir, there is fair fishing for wild rainbows, plus whitefish during the special whitefish-only winter season. Fish generally range from six to 12 inches. Selective gear rules are in effect for the river below Bumping Lake. The river is closed to bull trout, chinook salmon and steelhead fishing. Numerous Forest Service campgrounds with good river access are available throughout the area.

Byron ponds (50 acres total): Located about four miles south of Grandview on the Sunnyside Wildlife Area, these two ponds provide angling opportunities for largemouth bass and sunfish. Open season is year-round.

Clear Lake (265 acres): Located in the White Pass area above Rimrock Lake, south of Highway 12. Expect excellent fishing for planted and carry-over rainbow trout. Good access, campgrounds, fishing docks, and a boat launch. The Forest Service charges a boat launch fee. Open season is year-round.

Cowiche Creek: Fair-to-good summer fishing for small, wild cutthroat, rainbow and an occasional brook trout. Selective gear rules are in effect. Upper sections and forks provide the best fishing. June 1 through October 31 open season.

Dog Lake (61 acres): Located just east of White Pass along the north side of Highway 12, this high-elevation lake doesn't start producing well until early June. Fishing is good throughout the summer for seven- to 11-inch rainbow and brook trout. A large Forest Service campground and rough boat launch are located adjacent to the lake. Open to fishing year-round.

High Lakes: Many unlisted alpine lakes offer good fishing for trout. For more information, please contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife and request a copy of the booklet Trout Fishing in Washington's High Lakes.

Horseshoe Pond (59 acres): This pond located about four miles northwest of Mabton offers angling opportunities for largemouth bass and sunfish. It is open to fishing year-round.

I-82 ponds (8 to 30 acres): These seven gravel pit ponds located between Union Gap and Zillah along Interstate 82 are open year around. Ponds 1 and 2, located between Mellis Road and Donald Road, support largemouth bass, yellow perch and pumpkinseed sunfish. Expect fair fishing for small pan-sized perch and sunfish. Both ponds 1 and 2 are closed to walleye fishing. Pond 3, east of Donald Road, has fair fishing for channel catfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow perch and brown trout. Moving east, Pond 4 is stocked with rainbow and brown trout, with browns to 16 inches occasionally caught. Access is from Flint Lane. Pond 5, found at the end of Finley Road, has fair fishing for sunfish, bass, and channel catfish. Channel cats up to eight pounds can be found in ponds 3 and 5. Buena, or Pond 6, is located off Buena Loop Road, and should have good early-season fishing for stocked rainbow trout and channel catfish (the state record channel cat came from here). Pond 7, east of Buena, has a fair population of largemouth bass, black crappie and channel catfish. Bass up to eight pounds have been caught in the I-82 ponds. A bass slot limit applies to all of these ponds. Access to all ponds except Buena is by walk-in. Gasoline-powered motors are prohibited by county ordinance. The ponds are open to fishing year-round, but parking and access is subject to seasonal closure. Buena Pond (Pond 6) accessibility ­ Level 1. DP, WCT, Blk Tpa, level.

Leech Lake (41 acres): This high-elevation (4,412 feet) lake on the north side of Highway 12, just east of White Pass, is open to fly-fishing-only. The lake is usually ice-free by early June, and produces excellent fishing for eight- to 12-inch brook trout throughout the summer. Facilities include a Forest Service campground and boat launch. Use of motors is prohibited. Open season is year-round.

Little Naches River: Fair-to-good fishing for wild rainbow and cutthroat trout make the Little Naches River a popular area. There is good access via several Forest Service campgrounds. The upper sections and forks provide good fishing for small cutthroat. Selective gear rules are in effect. The river is closed to bull trout, chinook salmon and steelhead fishing. June 1 through October 31 open season.

Morgan Pond (24.6 acres): This pond is on the Sunnyside Wildlife Area, a couple miles north of Mabton next to McGee Road. It offers angling opportunities for largemouth bass and sunfish. Open season is year-round.

Mud Lake (4 acres): This small lake is seven miles northwest of Naches on the south side of Cleman Mountain, at an elevation of 2500 feet. It produces good fishing for eight- to 12-inch rainbow trout with some carry-overs in the 12- to 16-inch range. Mud Lake has also been selected to receive a bonus plant of large triploid rainbow trout (averaging 1-1/2 pounds apiece). These sterile fish can grow to trophy size if not harvested. Selective gear rules are in effect, with a trout daily limit of one fish. The road to the lake is heavily rutted and rough in some areas. Open season is year-round.

Myron Lake: Located in Yakima between Fruitvale Boulevard and Highway 12, fishing is expected to be good for planted, catchable-size rainbow and brown trout. Browns in the three- to six-pound range have been caught here. A few broodstock rainbows in the six- to 12-pound range are stocked in late fall. Myron has also been selected to receive a bonus plant of large triploid rainbow trout (averaging 1-1/2 pounds apiece). These sterile fish can grow to trophy size if not harvested. Selective gear rules are in effect, with a trout daily limit of one fish. Year-round open season.

Naches River: This large river supports wild rainbow and cutthroat trout and whitefish populations. Above the confluence with Rattlesnake Creek there is fair fishing for wild rainbow and cutthroat. Selective gear rules are in effect, with a 12-inch minimum and 20-inch maximum size limit, and a two-trout daily limit. Expect excellent whitefish angling during the special whitefish-only winter season, with whitefish ranging from eight to 14 inches. The river is adjacent to the Chinook Pass Highway and is very accessible. Closed to all bull trout, steelhead and chinook salmon fishing. Open season for trout is June 1 through October 31.

North Elton Pond (15 acres): This winter-fishing only lake (December 1 through March 31 open season) is located near Selah, alongside I-82. It is stocked prior to the December 1 opener with half-pound rainbow trout. Two-trout daily limit, and internal combustion engines are not allowed.

Oak Creek: This small creek runs through the Oak Creek Wildlife area, and supports wild rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout. Good fishing for six- to 10-inch fish. June 1 through October 31 open season.

Rattlesnake Creek: Wild cutthroat and rainbows ranging from six to 12 inches produce good fishing. Little Rattlesnake Creek also produces good fishing for the same species. The best fishing is in hike-in areas. Catch-and-release, selective gear rules are in effect for Rattlesnake Creek. Anglers should avoid targeting bull trout, salmon or steelhead, which are protected here. Open season is June 1 through October 31.

Rimrock Lake (2,530 acres): This large reservoir along Highway 12, about 10 miles east of White Pass, provides good fishing for eight- to 11-inch kokanee, with a 16-fish kokanee catch limit. There are also a few rainbows to 16 inches. This is one of the best and most popular kokanee-fishing destinations in Yakima County from May - July. The lake is closed to bull trout fishing. Public and private campgrounds are located by the lake and public and private launch ramps are available. The Forest Service charges a boat launch fee. Open to fishing year-round.

Rotary Lake (23 acres): This lake is stocked with catchable-size (eight-12 inches) rainbow and brown trout, and largemouth bass up to seven pounds have been caught. Located near the Greenway Trail in Yakima, about one-third of a mile from either Harlan Landing or the parking lot behind Boise-Cascade, Rotary provides good fishing opportunity spring through fall. Year-round open season. Disabled accessibility ­ Level 1. DP, WCT, Blk Tp trails, WC docks.

Sarge Hubbard Park Pond (3.5 acres): Located near the Greenway trail at Sarge Hubbard Park in Yakima, this small pond is open year-round only to juveniles and holders of disability licenses. It is regularly stocked with catchable-size rainbow trout and fingerling channel catfish. Disabled accessibility ­ Level 1. WCT, WC docks, Blk Tp trails.

Tieton River: Many Forest Service campgrounds along Highway 12 provide easy access. Fishing is fair for rainbows and whitefish. Whitefish angling is best during the special whitefish-only winter season. Check the regulations pamphlet for seasons and fishing boundaries, as well as special regulations in the North and South forks. Closed to fishing for bull trout in all areas.

Wenas Lake (61 acres): Located about six miles north of Naches, this very productive reservoir is becoming one of the best-known brown trout fisheries in Central Washington. Browns to 13 pounds have been taken. Wenas also provides good fishing for eight- to 12-inch rainbows, with some in the two-pound range. No more than two of the five-trout daily limit can be brown trout. Channel catfish have been stocked the past few years, and some in the three-pound range have been caught. A public boat launch and a resort are located on the lake. Good early spring and fall fishing opportunity. Open season is year-round. Disabled accessibility ­ Level 3. WCT, gravel, dirt, uneven areas.

Wide Hollow Creek: This small creek in Yakima is stocked with rainbow trout within the city limits. The season is open June 1 through October 31.

Yakima River: Expect excellent fishing for rainbow trout and whitefish above Roza Dam. Rainbow action is best in the fall, with the top areas in Kittitas County. Whitefish action is best from January through March. Check the regulations pamphlet for seasons; the section from Roza Dam near Yakima to Easton Dam near Cle Elum is under catch-and-release, selective gear rules. The lower reaches (Richland and Benton City area) support a popular smallmouth bass and channel catfish fishery. The entire river, including all tributaries and drains, is closed to steelhead and bull trout fishing. Depending on run size, anglers may expect a special fall chinook and coho salmon season again this year in September and October in the Richland-to-Prosser reach and in the Yakima-to-Roza Dam reach. Anglers may also see a special spring chinook fishery in the upper river. Watch for news releases on details for these special fisheries, or check with the Yakima regional office or the agency web site at http://wdfw.wa.gov. Public and private camping is available near the river. Disabled accessibility at Mellis Road access ­ Level 2. WCT, lgs, ds. / At Zillah Bridge - Level 2. WCT, Blk Tpa, level.