Silver Lake is in a pretty busy part of town. And for many residents who live in the South Everett and Mill Creek areas, this is their neighborhood fishing spot. It is larger than any nearby lakes, at just under 100 acres. Combine its size with the fact that over half of its shoreline is accessible to the public, there is a reason that Silver Lake is one of the more beloved, albeit busy, lakes in Snohomish County. Although you will find that ambient hum of nearby traffic from anywhere on the lake, there is a sense of peacefulness on the lake’s shoreline.
Silver Lake Fishing Access
From my vantage on the beach at Thornton A Sullivan Park, I could imagine this being a very busy place come springtime. The pathway that connects the parking area with the lakeshore takes you past manicured lawn under the canopy of huge douglas fir trees. When you get to the lake, you will notice a vast expanse of sandy beach. This is great for easy fishing but I could imagine this area becomes a popular summer swimming hole later. However, docks on either end of the park’s central beach look like they would be inviting year-round.
On the eastern shoreline of Silver Lake is Hauge Homestead Park. It has some good shoreline access as well as a nice T shaped dock that can accommodate multiple fishers. A pathway takes you northbound along the lake past several other public fishing docks.
The lake lacks a public boat ramp, so you would need to drag in a small car-topper boat to explore beyond the lake’s public parks.
Where is Silver Lake?
Silver Lake is located in South Everett, Washington in Snohomish County. It is wedged between Interstate 5 and Bothell-Everett Highway (SR 527). The easiest way to get to the lake from Interstate 5 would be to take the 128th Ave SE (SR 96) Exit, head east and then north on Bothell-Everett Highway (SR 527) a short distance to the access point of your choosing.
- WDFW Lowland Lakes – Silver Lake (Snohomish County)
- City of Everett – Thornton A Sullivan Park
- City of Everett – Hauge Homestead Park
- Nearby Lakes – Martha Lake, Stickney Lake, Lake Serene
Silver Lake Fishing
The vast majority of the people that fish Silver Lake do so from the shore. And the vast majority of the people that fish from shore are most interested in Rainbow Trout.
Last I checked (2020), there was a healthy number of trout stocked in the lake in April, then again in November. These trout are easiest to catch within a few weeks of being stocked. They will gobble up a small ball of Powerbait without much thought. After a while, they start to become accustomed to the natural forage of the lake. At that point, artificial baits become less effective. I like to fish a bottom set-up for Powerbait, using a 3’ – 4’ leader, a small hook, and a sliding egg sinker.
If you have the will to get a small boat or float tube down to the lakeshore, you will have a little more variety of tactics. Slow trolling a small dodger and wedding ring, maybe even tipped with a small piece of night crawler, can be highly effective.
There are a few locals that target Largemouth Bass along the lake’s docks and other structure. But this is best done from some sort of floating device. You would need to drag your pontoon boat or kayak down to the lake from the parking areas. There are also reports of Yellow Perch in the lake.
Foraging Chanterelle Mushrooms in Washington
