by Jai Colvin for Anglers Club Magazine, September 19, 2015

Winter is coming. When the cold air filters into the high lake areas of Washington State, suddenly if you aren’t ice fishing you aren’t fishing at all. If you want to hit the Pierce County high lakes now is definitely the time. Popular for their abundance of rainbow and brook trout, Pierce County high lakes offer fishermen at all skill levels a chance to throw a line in the water and truly enjoy the sport. But where does one head in Pierce County?

Campbell Lake

Campbell Lake is the ultimate Pierce County high lake, sitting at approximately 5,591 feet above sea level. Offering up trophy sized brook trout, this rather small lake is a big draw for the locals. In order to get there take I-5 south to I-405. Follow 405 to Sunset Blvd N in Renton taking exit 4 to WA-169 then onto WA-410 E, continue on WA-410 to Crystal Mountain Blvd.

Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake is nestled in a wooded setting and has an interesting small island right in the middle of it, good for exploring or doing some bank fishing. Locals report that there is good fishing to be found here for pan sized eastern brook trout. Getting to Cedar Lake is easy. From Wilkeson head east to dirt Rd #7710/7720 towards Celery Meadow/Rooster
Comb trailhead. At 13 miles, just past a target practice area on the left, turn left onto the side road. Stay left at the first road split, then turn right at a (T). Cedar Lake trailhead will be about 0.5 miles on the left before going up another steep road. Cedar Lake is visible on your left from the top of a hill 100 yards past the trailhead.



Echo Lake

Echo Lake is a good sized valley bottom lake that offers great fishing for coastal cutthroat trout; some have reportedly been up to 10 inches in length. The hike up the outlet is a pleasant 7-miles and easily done in this mild landscape. In order to reach Echo Lake, drive east on State Highway 410 from Enumclaw 20.3 miles to Greenwater Road #70. Then left (north) onto Road #70 and follow 9.6 miles to trail sign. Turn right onto Road #7033, the trailhead is on the right side of the road after 0.5 miles.

Lost Lake

Lost Lake is the place to head for eastern brook trout and the occasional coastal cutthroat up to 11 inches in length. Lost Lake is an easy 5.8 mile walk from the Greenwater Lakes trailhead and is open in June while many other high lakes are still snowed in. Get there by driving east on State Highway 410 from Enumclaw 20.3 miles to Greenwater Road #70. Then turn left (north) onto Road #70 and go 9.6 miles to the trail sign. Turn right onto Road #7033, and the trailhead is on the right side of the road after 0.5 miles.

Summit Lake

Summit Lake offers rather small eastern brook trout, but you truly can’t find a prettier place to fish; the view of Mt Rainier is incredible. This is an easy 2.5-mile hike and a good high lake for the older teens to join you on. To get there from Enumclaw, drive west on State Route 410 (Chinook Pass Highway) to SR 165. Proceed on SR 165 to the Carbon River Road/Mowich Lake Highway junction. Turn left onto Carbon River Road and follow it to Cayada Creek Road (Forest Road 7810), just before the national park entrance. Turn left (north) and drive about 6.8 miles to the trailhead at the end of FR 7810



These are just a few of the high lakes in Pierce County. For more Washington high lakes visit our article here. Now is definitely the time. Many of the high lakes have been well stocked over the past four years and locals report that the fishing this year has been extraordinary. So get out there before the snows come!

A lot of folks have been asking for some Washington alpine lakes that are a bit easier to get to. While many of the high lakes require long hikes or a good 4 x 4, there are a few that are only a short walk that still offer some great alpine lake fishing. These are considered “starter lakes” because hitting these fishing holes will definitely whet your whistle when to comes to alpine fishing.

Ann Lake

Ann Lake is as pretty as its name. This mountain lake sits at approximately 5,480 feet in a large bowl below Maple Pass just off the North Cascades Highway. There is a formal trail to take in and the hike is a short 2 miles. The lake has an island on the southwest side from which to fish as well and offers an abundance of west slope cutthroat trout that have been reported to hit up to 12 inches in length. In order to get there drive the North Cascade Highway (Highway 20) to Rainy Pass (4,855 feet), which is the pass 5 miles west of the highest pass on the North Cascades Highway called Washington Pass.



Heather Lake

Heather Lake is a large, valley bottom lake that sits at the end of a well maintained and popular 3.3 mile trail. It is surrounded by trees and offers good fishing opportunities for westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. There are good camping opportunities and it is a short hike from Glasses Lake as well. To get to Heather Lake from Leavenworth travel west on US 2 for 15 miles. Turn north onto State Route 207 (signed for Lake Wenatchee) and proceed 4.2 miles to a Y intersection after crossing the Wenatchee River. Bear left onto North Shore Road. At 7.6 miles, the road becomes Forest Road 65. Continue west on FR 65 for 4.7 miles, turning left onto FR 67. After 0.4 miles turn right onto FR 6701. Continue for 4.7 miles, turning left onto FR 6701-400 signed “Heather Lake T.H.”. Drive for 2.4 miles to the road’s end and trailhead. (elev. 2700 ft.)

Rainy Lake

Rainy Lake is one of Washington’s favorite alpine lakes because it’s one of the very few mountain lakes that can be accessed via a paved 1 mile trail. Rainy is rather large at 53 acres and can be fished using floats. There are abundant westslope cutthroat trout, which reportedly average 10 to 11 inches in length. In order to reach Rainy Lake drive the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20) to Rainy Pass which is the pass 5 miles west of the highest pass on the North Cascades Highway called Washington Pass. On the south side of the highway, there is a large parking area with two trailheads, one to Rainy Lake and the other to Lake Ann and Maple Pass.

Annette Lake

Annette Lake was named by George Wright for Annette Wiestling, a member of the Mountaineers in the early 1900s. The popular 7.5 mile round trip day hike is located just off Interstate 90 and although it is a longer hike, it is an easy one. There is a good population of small to medium sized naturally reproducing rainbow trout, and the lake is stocked every year as well. In order to get to Annette Lake take I-90 Exit 47. Turn south, then left on FS #5590 – trailhead will be on your right. The trail crosses the Iron Horse Trail early on and re-enters the woods flattening out at the lake bowl.

Copper Lake

Copper Lake is an easy hike that starts by crossing the Foss River. Just past Trout Lake the trail takes a bit of a climb, but it isn’t something that the average person can’t handle. This is a large lake located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. You will find mostly eastern brook trout along with some coastal cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. To reach Copper Lake take Hwy 2, 1.9 miles east of Skykomish and then take the Foss River Road turnoff. Continue 4.7 miles then turn left on FS #6835. Follow the road to its end and the signed trailhead #1064. Once at the trail follow it to the recently repaired bridge crossing over the Foss River, past Trout Lake.



Reprinted with permission of Anglers Club Magazine.