by Bob Johansen, August 10, 2007

URBAN LAKES SOUTH OF SEATTLE PROVIDE EXCELLENT ANGLING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS, RAINBOW TROUT, YELLOW PERCH, BROWN BULLHEAD CATFISH AND MORE.

The canoe glided silently across the mirror smooth surface of the lake. Dawn was only a promise from the faint light emerging from the east. All was quiet as I shared the early morning with only a few ducks. I finished the hot cup of coffee from my trusty ol' thermos and positioned the canoe about 30 feet off shore from some over-hanging trees and some old logs that I knew rested beneath the calm surface.

The first cast sent a Rapala floating minnow lure soaring to within about two feet of the waters edge. I grew tense as I waited a few seconds for the splash down rings to dissipate. Then, as I twitched the lure gently with the rod tip, the water exploded with a tremendous splash as the three pounder just unloaded on his intended breakfast.

I was fishing on a small, peaceful, largemouth bass lake "down south" -- south of Seattle that is. Located south from Seattle, along the I-5 corridor, 10 of my favorite bass lakes are scattered like blue gems among the urban sprawl. All have undisputed public access and good populations of largemouth bass -- some of them truly lunkers.

It is my hope that the readers of washingtonlakes.com, who fish for bass in these little quality lakes, will gently release most of their catch to insure quality fishing into the future. Starting from the north and fishing south, here is a brief rundown on each of these little lakes.

ANGLE LAKE: This 102 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 52 feet, plays host to largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead catfish and provides excellent angling opportunities for planted rainbow trout. Prime bass habitat in this clear water lake includes numerous private docks, pad fields and a few old submerged logs.

Public access is through the Angle Lake County Park. The park provides rest-rooms, a fairly steep concrete block boat launching ramp, a large fishing dock for anglers without a boat and lots of paved parking space. The lake is open to year around fishing.

To get to Angle Lake from Seattle, travel south on I-5 to the S. 200th Street exit. (Exit #151). Follow S. 200th Street for .6 mile to Pacific Highway South. Turn right (north) for .3 mile to King County Angle Lake Park.

FENWICK LAKE: This little 18 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 31 feet, plays host to largemouth bass, yellow perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullhead catfish and planted rainbow trout. Prime bass habitat, in this stained water lake, includes lots of over-hanging brush and trees, lots of old logs and wood in the water, some pads and a few private docks.

Public access is provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wild-life. The small access area has limited parking space, a shallow but solid gravel boat launching area and usually, a portable toilet. The city of Kent also provides a nice park on the lake shore that provides some bank fishing opportunities. The lake is open to year around fishing.

To get to Lake Fenwick from Seattle, travel south on I-5 to the 272nd Street exit. (Exit # 147). Turn left (east) on 272nd Street for .2 mile to stoplight on Military Road. Go straight through intersection (on green light) for another .9 mile to Lake Fenwick Road on the left. Turn left, onto Lake Fenwick Road, for .6 mile to W.D.F.W. public access area on the right.

STAR LAKE: This little 34 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 50 feet, plays host to largemouth bass, yellow perch brown bullhead catfish and planted rainbow trout. Prime bass habitat, in this clear water lake, includes pad fields, a few overhanging trees and several private docks.

Public access is a street end at 37th Ave. S. Parking is very limited but usually adequate except on the traditional "opening day" of fishing. Star lake is open to year around fishing, but still gets crowds of casual anglers during this "spring time gala." This access is best suited for cartopper or hand carried craft. I have seen a few brave anglers launch small trailered boats -- but this is definitely not for the faint hearted trailer boat angler. Star Lake is open to year around fishing.

To get to Star Lake from Seattle, travel south on I-5 to the 272nd exit. (Exit #147) Turn left (east) and follow 272nd Street for .2 mile to Military Road. Turn right onto Military Road for .2 mile to S. Star Lake Road. Turn left onto S. Star Lake Road for .4 mile to street end access at 37th Ave. S.

STEEL LAKE: This 46 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 24 feet, plays host to largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish brown bullhead catfish and planted rainbow trout. Prime bass habitat, in this lake, includes lots of pads and private docks.

Public access is through Federal Way Recreation Park to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife public access. The W.D.F.W. access has paved parking spaces and a good concrete block boat launching ramp. Restrooms are near the access in the county park. The park also provides a large fishing dock for anglers without a boat. No internal combustion engines are allowed on this lake. Steel lake is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through October 31st.

To get to Steel Lake from Seattle, travel south on I-5 to the 272nd Street exit. (Exit #147). Turn left (east) for .2 mile to Military Road. Turn right onto Military Road for about two miles to stop light at 304th Street. Turn right onto 304th Street for about .1 mile to stop sign at 28th Ave. S. Turn left onto 28th Ave. S. for .4 mile to S. 312th Street. Turn right onto 312th Street for only about .1 mile and enter Federal Way Recreation Park to the right. You will see a "Public Fishing" sign at entrance. Go through park to W.D.F.W. public access.

DOLLOFF LAKE: This little 21 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 19 feet, plays host to largemouth bass, yellow perch, large black crappie, rock bass, pumpkinseed sunfish brown bullhead catfish and planted rainbow trout. I've had crappie over a foot long smash floating minnow lures, 4 3/8 inches long, while casting for bass on this lake. Prime bass habitat, in this stained water lake, includes lots of pads, lots of overhanging brush and willows and a few private docks.

Public access is provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wild-life. The large access area has lots of parking space, pit toilets and a good concrete block boat launching ramp. No internal combustion engines are allowed on this lake. Lake Dolloff is open to fishing year around.

To get to Lake Dolloff from Seattle, travel south on I-5 to the S. 272nd Street exit. (Exit #147). Turn left (east) onto S. 272nd Street for .2 mile to Military Road. Turn right (south) onto Military Road for 2.4 miles. Just as you pass under the I-5 freeway overpass, turn left onto 31st Ave. S. (Sign will point to Lake Dolloff Elem. School). Follow 31st Street for .3 mile to "Y" in the road. Keep right at "Y" onto 38th Ave. S. .6 mile to W.D.F.W. public access on the right.

NORTH LAKE: Fish species in this 55 acre lake include largemouth bass and planted rainbow trout. The lake has a maximum depth of 34 feet. Prime bass habitat includes lots of pad fields, private docks and some overhanging brush and trees.

Public access is provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wild-life. The large access area has lots of paved parking space, pit toilets and a concrete block boat launching ramp with dock. No internal combustion engines are allowed on this lake. North Lake is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through Oct.32st.

To get to North Lake from Seattle, travel south on I-5 to the So. 320th Street exit. (Exit # 143). Turn left (east) on So.320th Street for .5 mile to Weyerhaeuser Road. Turn right onto Weyerhaeuser Road for .3 mile to "Public Fishing" sign, on the left, pointing to the W.D.F.W. public access.

GENEVA LAKE: Fish species in this 29 acre lake include largemouth bass and planted rainbow trout. The lake has a maximum depth of 46 feet. Prime bass habitat includes lots of pad fields, lots of old logs and wood in the water and a few private docks.

Public access is provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wild-life. The small, narrow, steep access has very limited parking space and a solid gravel boat launching area. A pit toilet is located, across the street, at the Lake Killarney public access. There is also a county park, located at the N.E. section of lake shoreline, that provides a fishing dock and some shoreline fishing opportunities. Lake Geneva is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through October 31st.

To get to Lake Geneva from Seattle, travel south on I-5 to the 320th Street exit. (Exit #143). Turn left (east) under freeway for .7 mile to Military Road. Turn right (south) onto Military Road to S. 342nd Street. Turn right onto S. 342nd Street and follow it as it "S" curves and becomes 344th Street. Turn left at 38th Ave. for .3 mile to the W.D.F.W. public access on the left. Lake Killarney access is on the right.

KILLARNEY LAKE: This little 31 acre lake has a maximum depth of only 15 feet and only a small area of that depth. Fish species include largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill and brown bullhead catfish. Prime bass habitat includes pad fields, private docks, some old logs and wood in the water and some overhang brush and trees.

Public access is provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wild-life. The access area has been recently upgraded with a new pit toilet, a new fence and re-graveled parking area and boat launch. No internal combustion engines are allowed on the lake. Lake Killarney is open to year around fishing.

To get to Lake Killarney from Seattle, follow the same directions as given for Lake Geneva. The two lakes are located across the street from each other.

FIVEMILE LAKE: This 38 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 32 feet, plays host to largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and planted rainbow trout. Prime bass habitat in this stained water lake includes lots of pads, overhanging brush and trees and some private docks.

Public access is through the Fivemile Lake County Park. The park provides paved parking spaces, modern restrooms, picnic tables and a large fishing dock for those anglers without a boat. Hand carried boats must be carried or dragged about 150 yards from the parking area to waters edge. An easier launch for hand carried craft is at the south-east corner of the lake from the shoulder of Military Road. Road side parking at this site is very limited. Fivemile Lake is open to year around fishing.

To get to Fivemile Lake from Seattle, travel south on I-5 to the So. 320th Street exit. (Exit #143). Turn left (east) onto So. 320th Street for .7 mile to Military Road. Turn right (south) onto Military Road for 3.2 miles to S. 366th Street. Enter Fivemile Lake County Park on the right.

TROUT LAKE: This little 18 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 27 feet, plays host to largemouth bass, yellow perch, some large black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead catfish and planted rainbow trout. This is another lake where I've caught foot long crappie that smashed a floating Rapala on the surface. Prime bass habitat on this stained water includes some overhanging brush and trees, pad fields and private docks.

Public access is a street end at 44th Ave. S. Parking space is limited but there is a good, solid gravel boat launching area. Internal combustion engines are not allowed on this lake. Trout Lake is open to year around fishing.

To get to Trout Lake from Seattle, follow the same directions as Fivemile Lake except -- travel south on Military Road, just past the entrance to Fivemile Lake County Park, to 42nd St. S. Turn left onto 42nd St. S. for .7 mile as it curves and changes to S. 376th Street. Keep left on S. 376th St. to street end access at 44th Ave. S.

Authors note: To my fellow bass anglers – It has been a while since I have fished these lakes and some things may have changed. Hopefully this information will help some of you fellows find your way to explores some of these beautiful little lakes. Be sure to check for any regulation changes before angling. Tight lines and good luck. BJ