by Bob Johansen, May 05, 2007

WASHINGTON’S SNOHOMISH COUNTY, LOCATED IN NORTHWEST PART OF THE STATE, HOSTS PLENTY OF FRESHWATER LAKES THAT PROVIDE EXCITING BASS FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GROWING NUMBER OF AVID NORTHWEST BASS ANGLERS


Western Washington’s Snohomish County, the home of Boeing’s famous 747 and 767 jet liners, also plays host to numerous lakes from the briny waters of Puget Sound to its eastern boundary at the Cascade Crest. Many lakes in mountainous regions of the Cascade Range are very scenic and provide recreation for hikers, photographers, campers and anglers. Numerous peaks in the upland area rise to 6000 feet or more, with the highest elevation being on top of 10,541 foot Glacier Peak in the Northeastern part of the county.
As beautiful as these highland lakes are however, it is the lower lakes, generally located at an elevation of 2,500 feet or lower that host America’s favorite game fish, the black bass. The reference book, “Lakes of Washington, Western Edition,” lists Snohomish County with a total of 463 lakes and reservoirs with 256 of them located below the 2,500 foot elevation. The largest lake in the county is Lake Stevens with 1,021 surface acres. In this article, I’ll give a brief description of a few of my favorite Snohomish County bass lakes -- all with undisputed public access areas. I have personally fished all, or nearly all, of Snohomish County’s lakes known to host populations of largemouth or smallmouth bass and having an undisputed public access. All of the lakes now have a slot restriction on bass -- only bass less than 12 inches or greater than 17 inches may be kept. No more than one fish, over 17 inches may be kept in a daily limit. It has been a few years since I have fished some of these lakes and some minor changes may have happened since. However, I have been blessed with the time to explore these lakes and would like to share the knowledge with those with jobs that limit exploration time.

LAKE STEVENS: This big lake, mentioned above, hosts numerous fish species including both the largemouth and smallmouth bass. The lake also hosts good populations of rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, kokanee, crappie and some jumbo yellow perch. Lake Stevens is open to year-round angling.
Prime bass habitat on this lake includes pad fields, old logs and wood in the water, old pilings, some overhanging brush and trees and private docks and floats. Most of your favorite bass lures can be effective. My personal favorites include crankbaits in silver, crawfish or perch patterns, 1/4 or 3/8 ounce spinnerbaits with black or white skirts and on calm conditions surface lures for the exciting top water strikes.
Public access is provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife on the northeast side of the lake. The access area provides a concrete plank boat ramp and toilets. There is also a county park with a ramp and fishing dock on the west side of the lake. Food, ice, gas, lodging and fishing supplies are plentiful throughout the area. Lake Stevens is located about 4 miles east of Everett.

LAKE GOODWIN: This big, clear water lake is open to year-round fishing. It covers 547 surface acres and reaches depths of over 50 feet. Like Lake Stevens, it contains several fish species including largemouth and smallmouth bass. The lake also hosts populations of yellow perch, black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullhead catfish and rainbow and cutthroat trout. With all these forage species to dine on, both the largemouth and smallmouth reach impressive sizes. Several years ago, a ten pound largemouth was caught, weighed, measured and released.
Lake Goodwin makes a great destination for anglers who want to spend a few days in the area fishing for America’s favorite game fish. The launch area is located in Wenberg State Park. The park offers 65 standard overnight camp sites and 10 with water and electric hookups. To get to Lake Goodwin from Seattle, travel north on I-5, past Marysville to the Smokey Point exit. (Exit # 206). Turn left, West, across the interstate, and follow 172nd St. N.E. (Lakewood Road) for 5.0 miles to E. Lake Goodwin Road. There is also a “Wenberg State Park” sign on the same sign post. Turn left, (south) and follow E. Lake Goodwin Road for about a mile and a half to state park entrance on the right.
The reason Lake Goodwin and Wenberg State Park is a great distention is because there are several other bass fishing in the same general area. I’ll give a brief description a few that I have personally fished. This area of Snohomish County is known as the “Seven Lakes Area.”

SHOECRAFT LAKE: This 137 surface acre lake is connected to Lake Goodwin via a small canal. The fish species are mostly the same as Goodwin including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, bullhead catfish and planted rainbow trout.
Prime bass habitat and casting targets include lots of private docks, lots of old logs and wood in the water and a few small pad fields.
Public access is provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The large access area has plenty of parking space, a toilet and a rather difficult gravel and mud boat launch area that is best suited for hand carried craft or small trailered boats. I have launched my 17 foot bass boat there however without any problem. Lake Shoecraft is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through October 31st.
To get there from Seattle, follow the same directions as Lake Goodwin to E. Lake Goodwin Road. Turn left, (south) for about 2 1/2 miles to 46th Ave. N.W. Turn right onto 46th Ave. N.W. for about .2 mile to 140th St. N.W. Turn right onto 140th St. N.W. for only about .1 mile to WDFW public access on the right.

LOMA LAKE: This little 21 acre lake is also in the “Seven Lakes” area. Fish species include largemouth bass, black crappie and planted rainbow trout.
Prime bass habitat in this stained water lake includes lots of pad fields, overhanging brush and trees, old logs and wood in the water, cattails and private docks.
Public access is provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The large access area has lots of parking space, a pit toilet and a good gravel boat launch area. A sign at the boat launch reads, “Motor powered water craft prohibited on this lake.” That means no motors attached to the boat, even if it is tipped up and out of the water. Electric motors are OK. Bring paddles or oars. Loma Lake is open to year round fishing.
To get there from Seattle, follow the same directions as to Lake Goodwin to the Smokey Point Exit. Turn left, back over the Interstate, and follow 172nd Street N.E. (Lakewood Road) for 3.5 miles to McRae Road N.W. It’s just before you get to Lake Ki. Turn left onto McRae Road for 1.0 mile to 16th Ave. N.W. Turn right onto 16 Ave. N.W. for .5 mile to 154th Street N.W. Turn left onto 154th Street for .3 mile to the WDFW public access on the right.

LAKE KI: This 97 surface acre, with a depth of about 70 feet, plays host to largemouth bass, yellow perch and planted rainbow trout. Because of its depth and clear water, it is a very popular trout fishing lake in the early spring.
It also contains some very big largemouth bass that become active as the water warms up in late spring and early summer. Prime bass habitat at this lake includes lots of private docks, old logs and wood in the water, pad fields and some overhanging brush and trees.
Public access to Lake Ki is from the edge of Lakewood Road on the north side of the lake. There is a solid, shallow gravel boat launching area and road side parking space that is usually adequate except on the opening of the trout season on the last Saturday in April. The launch area is so shallow that you may need to wade a bit just to get your boat to water deep enough to float it. There are no pit toilets at this lake. Lake Ki is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through October 31st.
To get there from Seattle, follow the same directions as Lake Goodwin to the Smokey Point exit from Interstate I-5. From the exit (Exit # 206) turn left, back over Interstate (west) and follow 172nd St. N.E. (Lakewood Road) for 3.7 miles to Lake Ki’s north shoreline and the boat launching area.

LAKE HOWARD: This little 28 acre, clear water lake plays host to largemouth bass, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. Prime bass habitat and exciting casting targets include old logs and wood in the water, overhanging brush and trees, private docks and floats and a few small pad fields.
Good lure choices in all clear water lakes include a floating minnow lure, spinnerbaits and 1/4 and 3/8 ounce jigs. My best Lake Howard bass hit a black jig with a plastic worm trailer fished along an old under water log.
Public access is provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. There is no parking space in the boat launching area but considerable roadside parking is available and the WDFW has a huge parking area with a pit toilet located about a hundred yards east of the launch area. The boat launch area is solid gravel and no internal combustion engines are allowed on the lake. Lake Howard is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through October 31st.
To get there from Seattle, follow the same directions as to Lake Goodwin to the Smokey Point Exit. (Exit #206). Turn left off the exit onto Lakewood Road and travel west for 7.2 miles to Olive Ave. Turn left onto Olive Ave. for .3 mile to the WDFW public access on the left.

BOSWORTH LAKE: This 105 acre lake is quite deep, reaching depths of about 79 feet. Fish species include largemouth bass and rainbow and cutthroat trout. With its depth and clean, clear water it provides some excellent trout fishing during the spring and early summer. I once caught a 3 pound rainbow on a Rapala minnow fished on the surface for bass. Floating minnows are also excellent lures on clear water lakes for largemouth bass where the fish hunt mostly with their excellent vision. Long casts are especially effective. It is important that the fish sees the lure before it sees the angler.
Prime bass habitat in this gin clear water lake includes lots of private docks, old logs and wood in the water, overhanging trees and some old pilings.
Public access is provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The access has limited parking space, a pit toilet and a very good concrete plank boat launching ramp. No internal combustion engines are allowed on the lake. Lake Bosworth is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through October 31st.
To get there from the town of Snohomish, (located just NE of Seattle) take the Machias Road north to the small town of Machias. (Note: Maple Ave. in Snohomish leads out of town to Machias Road) Just north of Machias, turn right on O.K. Road. Follow O.K. Road across the Philchuck River 1.5 miles to Newberg Road. Newberg Road sign post also has a Lake Bosworth sign. Follow Newberg Road 4.2 miles to Leach Road. Turn right and follow Leach Road for 1.4 miles to the WDFW public access. (Notes: Leach Road sign also includes a “Public access” sign. And, on the S.E. corner of the lake, the road “Y”s. Keep left at the “Y”.

ARMSTRONG LAKE: For bass anglers who like peace and solitude this little 31 acre lake, nestled in a secluded sylvan setting, may be the answer. Only a very few houses are located near the lake shoreline and no internal combustion engines are allowed on the lake. Most of the shoreline probably looks much like it did a hundred years ago – Except, perhaps, for the wall of yellow irises adding beauty to much of the lake shore.
Prime bass habitat in this stained water lake includes lots of old logs and wood in the water, over hanging brush and trees, some pad fields and a few docks. The lake is also quite weed free compared to most Western Washington lakes, making it easier to fish during late spring and summer. As an example, I was able to hop a ¼ ounce jig along the bottom on most of the lake without hanging up on jigs. Occasionally, I would hang the jig up on under water wood but most of the time it was easily freed by pulling it backwards – away from the hangup. My best Armstrong bass, a nice 17 incher, hit a black jig fished near some under water logs.
Lake Armstrong has a fairly large WDFW public access area with plenty of parking space – Except perhaps on opening day on the last Saturday in April. It also provides pit toilets and a good concrete plank boat launching ramp. Lake Armstrong is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through October 31st.
To get there from the town of Arlington, travel Highway #9 north for .9 mile past the bridge over the Stillaguamish River. Watch carefully for the sign. The Lake Armstrong Road Y’s off to the right but all you can see is a “dead end” sign. There is a Lake Armstrong sign on the sin post but it is hard to see when traveling north. Follow the Lake Armstrong Road for 1.0 mile to the WDFW public access located on the south end of the lake.

LAKE STICKNEY: Fish species in this little 23 surface acre lake include largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead catfish and planted rainbow and cutthroat trout. This is another quiet, peaceful lake where no internal combustion engines are allowed. Prime bass habitat includes lots of pads, overhanging willows, channels to beaver houses on the north shoreline and private docks.
Public access is provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The large access area has lots of parking space, a pit toilet and a good concrete plank boat launching ramp. Lake Stickney is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through October 31st.
To get there from Seattle, travel north on I-5, north of the I-5 – 405 interchange to the 128th S.W. exit. (Exit #186) Turn left, back over the Interstate, on 128 Street for .9 mile to East Gibson Road. Turn left onto Gibson Road for only .2 mile to “T” in the road. Turn right for only .1 mile to Stickney Lake Road. Turn left onto Stickney Lake Road for .3 mile to WDFW public access area on the right.

PANTHER LAKE: This little lake covers 47 surface acres, reaches depths of about 36 feet (depending on time of year) and is located at 455 feet of elevation.
Fish species include largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead catfish, pumpkinseed sunfish and rainbow and cutthroat trout.
Prime bass habitat in and around this stained water lake includes, lots of lily pads, old logs, stumps and wood in the water, some old pilings, some cattails and a few private docks.
Public access is provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The access area has limited but usually adequate parking space, a pit toilet and a good concrete plank boat launching ramp. No internal combustion engines are allowed on the lake.
To get there from the town of Snohomish, take Maple Ave. north out of town to the Three Lakes Road. Turn right onto the Three Lakes Road for 3.0 miles to the Panther Lake Road. There is (or at least was) a brown “Panther Lake Boat Launch” sign attached to the same sigh post. Turn left onto the Panther Lake Road for 1.0 mile to another boat launch sign to the right. Turn right, up a small hill, for .2 mile to the WDFW public access area.

SERENE LAKE: This little lake covers 42 surface acres, reaches depths of about 54 feet and is located at 540 feet of elevation.
Fish Species include largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, and planted rainbow trout.
Prime bass habitat in this clear water lake includes lots of lily pad fields and private docks and floats.
Public access is provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The large access area is split into two areas – the boat launch area and the parking area. The boat launch area has a good concrete plank launching ramp and plenty of room for parking but parking is not allowed in this area. The parking area is located on the other side of Serene Way. It is a large parking area and provides a pit toilet. No internal combustion engines are allowed on the lake.
To get there from Everett, travel south on Highway #99 to Shelby Road (just south of the intersection with highway #525 heading east.) Exit right onto Shelby Road for .6 mile to Serene Way. Turn right onto Serene Way for .1 mile to WDFW public access on the right.

KETCHUM LAKE: This little lake is only 20 surface acres, reaches depths of 30 feet and is located at an elevation of 190 feet.
Fish species include largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullhead catfish and planted rainbow trout.
Prime bass habitat in this stained water lake includes overhanging trees and brush, lily pad fields, some cattails and private docks.
Public access is provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The fairly small access area has limited but usually adequate parking space, pit toilets and a good gravel boat launching area. No internal combustion engines are allowed on the lake.
To get there from the town of Stanwood, take Pioneer Highway north about 2 miles to 300th St. NW. Turn right and follow 300th Street NW for 1.1 miles to 76th Ave. NW. The sign post for 76th Ave. also has a “Ketchum Lake Launch” sign. Turn north onto 76th Ave NW for .7 mile to S. Ketchum Lake Road. Turn left and follow the S. Ketchum Lake Road (keeping right at the “Y” in the road for .8 mile to WDFW public access area.

MARTHA LAKE @ ALDERWOOD MANOR: This little lake covers 59 surface acres, reaches depths of about 48 feet and is located at 450 feet of elevation.
Fish species include largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead catfish and rainbow and cutthroat trout.
Prime bass habitat in this lake includes pad fields, overhanging brush and trees, some old logs and wood in the water and private docks and floats.
Public access is provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The long, narrow gravel access area has limited but usually adequate parking space, a pit toilet and a concrete plank boat launching ramp. No internal combustion engines are allowed on this lake.
To get there from Seattle, travel north on I-5 to just past the 405 interchange and take the 164th Street SW exit. (Exit #183) Turn right onto 164th Street SW for .7 mile to stoplight on East Shore Drive. (Sign also points to 6th Ave. West. Turn left for less than .1 mile to the WDFW public access area.

WAGNER LAKE: This little lake covers 22 surface acres, reaches depths of about 22 feet and is located at 300 feet of elevation.
Fish species include largemouth bass and planted rainbow trout.
Prime bass habitat in this clear water lake includes lots of old logs in the water, lots of aging pilings, some small lily pad fields and a few private docks.
Public access is provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The large access area has plenty of parking space, pit toilets and a shallow, gravel boat launching area that is best suited for hand carried water craft. I always fished it from a canoe.
To get there from Monroe, turn north off of Highway #2 at the Red Barn and follow Ann Street. Ann Street becomes Woods Creek Road. Stay on this road for 1.1 miles to the intersection with 211th Ave. SE. Turn left onto 211th Ave. SW. for.6 mile to the intersection with 132nd Street SE. Turn right onto 132nd Street SE. for .7 mile to intersection with 219th Ave. SE. Turn left for .2 mile to WDFW public access on the right – just across the street from the Salem Woods Elementary School.

OTHER LAKES: This is by no means a complete list of good bass fishing lakes in Snohomish County. Other Snohomish lakes, containing a population of bass and having public access that I have fished include Cassidy Lake, Roesiger Lake, Flowing Lake, Storm Lake, Ballinger Lake, Sunday Lake and Chain Lake. I have also caught bass from several other waters in Snohomish County including Kellogg Lake, Beecher Lake, Thomas Lake, Bryant Lake and a few others but the access on some are a little difficult. On these lakes, I bass fished from a canoe. They are, however, well worth exploring for the avid bass angler.

Note: Be sure to check the current “Fishing in Washington” pamphlet for any rule changes like open seasons, catch limits and etc.