Snoqualmie Valley’s Best Fishing Lakes
The Snoqualmie Valley has shifted from a sleepy rural area into Seattle’s outdoor playground. There is so much to do out here in the country! Some of the best trout and bass fishing lakes in the Seattle area are in the Snoqualmie Valley.
The valley is a popular destination for everything from summertime river floats, mountain biking, road cycling, community supported agriculture, hiking, camping and of course fishing! I put together a list for you of my favorite Snoqualmie Valley fishing lakes. Most lakes have public access, some on the list are not, but my goal is to share with you all of the best lake fishing opportunities available in the Snoqualmie Valley.
Whether you are looking for great lake fishing close to Issaquah, Redmond, Bellevue, Seattle or Kirkland… the Snoqualmie Valley is a great place to wet a line!
Snoqualmie Valley Lakes Fishing Map
Snoqualmie Valley Lake Fishing Seasons
Check local fishing regulations before planning a trip. Some lakes are open year round and some are open seasonally. Some lakes have special regulations!
Snoqualmie Valley’s Secret Lakes
While the Snoqualmie Valley has many well known lakes that offer easy access, there are countless farm ponds, oxbow lakes, forestland ponds and alpine lakes that you need to explore! I have spent my entire childhood exploring this beautiful valley and have come across a few hidden gems. I’d share them with you, but that would ruin the adventure! Bust out the map and get into exploration mode! I always make sure I respect private property and know where I can go and where I can’t. Have fun out there!
Moss Lake near Duvall
This small 6 acre pond is located just east of Lake Joy. It offers some natural Coastal Cutthroat and Largemouth Bass. There is a primitive launch at Moss Lake for small boats, canoes and kayaks.
Lake Joy in Duvall
Lake Joy is located about five miles southeast of Duvall, Washington. The lake offers no public access, but is a local favorite for those that have access via a friend with a lakefront home. The lake is very woody; its shoreline is ringed with a thick mat of lily pads by early summer. Lake Joy is a Largemouth Bass fishing paradise. Fishing for Largemouth Bass starts in April and remains good through September. Fishing is open year round.
Rasmussen Lake in Duvall
Rasmussen Lake is a tiny pond located on the eastern edge of downtown Duvall, Washington at the end of Cherry Street. It is a very murky lake that has public access and is rarely fished but offers Largemouth Bass. Fishing is open year round.
Lake Marcel near Duvall
Lake Marcel is located about four miles southeast of Duvall, Washington. It is a private lake with a beautiful community park designated for local residents and their guests. If you can get the invite from a community member, this is a fun little lake to fish! Rainbow Trout are stocked by the community and the lake also has Largemouth Bass. Fishing is open year round.
Sikes Lake near Carnation
Sikes Lake is located north of Carnation, Washington and borders Carnation Farms Road. Sikes is a long, narrow lake and surrounded by fields. This lake is well known by locals for its trophy Largemouth Bass. It is open to fishing year round but fishing is best from March through September.
Crescent Lake near Monroe
Crescent Lake is located several miles south of Monroe, Washington and is a very good place to target Largemouth Bass. Access from Crescent Lake Road off West Snoqualmie Valley Road, or Tualco Road off SR 203. Although the road parallels the lake, the shoreline is overgrown. A small rowboat, canoe or kayak would be perfect for this lake.
Lake Alice near Fall City
Lake Alice is located south of Fall City, Washington. This suburban lake is ringed with homes, but has a small public fishing access; this access point is primarily a boat launch site, and offers little bank fishing opportunities. Lake Alice is opened to fishing year round, and is stocked with Rainbow Trout. The lake hosts a fair number of Largemouth Bass as well. This is a great place to fish in the early spring before most of the Snoqualmie Valley’s best lakes open in late April.
The Millpond in Snoqualmie
Borst Lake (The Millpond) is located ¼ mile east of downtown Snoqualmie in the shadow of Mount Si. It is accessible from Millpond Road, where there is ample bank access and a few great places to launch a canoe, kayak or small skiff from the road. The Millpond is a very large and shallow lake that quickly gets choked by lily pads as the water warms in the late spring. There are a few people that fish Borst Lake regularly, but I am always surprised that there aren’t more people that fish it. Trophy Largemouth Bass lurk in the lake! Borst Lake is opened for fishing year round.
Ames Lake near Redmond
Ames Lake is located two miles west of Carnation, Washington. This lake has no public access. If you have access to the lake, fishing for Perch, Largemouth Bass and Trout is good from April through October. Ames Lake is open year round.
Beaver Lake in Sammamish
I’m adding Beaver Lake to the list because… 1.) It is one of the best lakes in the area for Rainbow Trout and Largemouth Bass. 2.) It is really close to the Snoqualmie Valley and 3.) It has the best winter trout fishing anywhere in the area.
Cottage Lake in Woodinville
Cottage Lake is one of my favorite local trout fishing lakes! It is located four miles east of Woodinville on Woodinville-Duvall Road. Cottage Lake County Park offers a fishing dock, car topper boat launch and plenty of bank access. The lake is heavily stocked with Rainbow Trout in the spring and has great Largemouth Bass fishing. The lake is opened for fishing from the last Saturday in April through October.
Langlois Lake near Carnation
Langlois is well known its solitude and great fishing. This beautiful lake is located about one mile south of Carnation, Washington. There is a public fishing access on NE 24th Street (Lake Langlois Road) which is a great place to launch a boat but doesn’t really have any bank fishing opportunities. The lake is deep and its shoreline is rich in sunken logs, fallen trees and other great Largemouth Bass structure. The lake is open for fishing on the last Saturday in April through October. The Rainbow Trout that are stocked in the lake provide great fishing!
Lake Margaret near Duvall
Lake Margaret is one of the more popular fishing lakes in the Snoqualmie Valley. It is located about 5 miles northeast of Duvall, Washington. Fishing is a popular pastime for lakeside homeowners, but most of the folks out on the lake access Lake Margaret from the public fishing access located on the lake’s southern end. The public fishing access offers good bank fishing and a place to launch a small boat. Lake Margaret is opened for fishing from the last Saturday in April through October. The lake is heavily stocked with Rainbow Trout and also has a healthy population of Cutthroat Trout that spawn in Margaret Creek on the north side of the lake. While this lake offers Largemouth Bass fishing, very few anglers target them.
Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend
Rattlesnake Lake is a 107 acre lake located about six miles south of North Bend, Washington. It is one of the most beautiful places to fish in the Snoqualmie Valley as it is surrounded by forests and Rattlesnake Ridge looming above the lake. Access to the lake is from 436th Avenue SE which leads right into Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area, a popular access point for backpackers, day hikers and fishermen. Bank access is amazing here with most of the lake accessible from shore. Bait is prohibited but casting small spinners or spoons from shore makes this one of my favorite lakes in the valley to fish from the bank.
With all the natural beauty in the area, it might surprise you to know that this is not a natural lake. When the Cedar River, to the south, was dammed to create the City of Seattle water supply that is Chester Morse Lake, seepage from the rising waters filled the basin that is now Rattlesnake Lake. The lake is still supplied from seepage from Chester Morse and based on its water levels, Rattlesnake will drastically change in volume and acreage when reservoir levels change. The lake water has perfectly preserved many old growth stumps from previous logging and they are very visible as you row around the lake. The lake holds lots of Rainbow Trout and is a popular place to fly fish, troll lures or cast from shore.
Suggested Riptidefish Pages
- The Very Best Trout Fishing Lures of the Pacific Northwest
- The Ultimate Guide for Snoqualmie River Trout Fishing
- Brook Trout – Species Overview
12 Great Lures for Chinook Salmon Fishing in Puget Sound
