Fishing at
Lake Chelan Chelan County

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Stocking Reports
Map
Fish Species
Monthly Outlook
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Fishing Reports

Mackinaw
Kokanee
Rainbow Trout
Salmon
Smallmouth Bass

Lake Chelan is a very large freshwater lake located in Chelan County, Washington. At an elevation of 1102 ft. and 32622.7 acres, it's home to several species of fish, including tench, burbot, kokanee, peamouth, lake trout, chiselmouth, rainbow trout, chinook salmon, largemouth bass, pygmy whitefish, signal crayfish, smallmouth bass, bridgelip sucker, largescale sucker, three-spine stickleback and westslope cutthroat trout. Lake Chelan provides good shoreline access and a number of boat launches.

Stocked Fish: Cutthroat,Rainbow
Lake Size: 32622.7 acres
Elevation: 1102 ft.
Boat Launch: Yes (5)
Chelan Riverwalk Park Lake Chelan State Park Lakeshore Marina Park Old Mill Park (Chelan Co.) Twenty-Five Creek State Park
Shoreline Access: Good

Lake Chelan Stocking Reports

Lake Chelan has been historically stocked with cutthroat and rainbow. The largest rainbow ever stocked is 0.4 lbs. This year so far, there has been 6 stockings of cutthroat and rainbow at an average of 0.37 lbs. In the past, Lake Chelan stocked tens of thousands of cutthroat and rainbow averaging 0.36 lbs.

Date	Quantity	Fish
June 18, 2025	10500	Cutthroat @ 0.33lbs
June 18, 2025	10260	Cutthroat @ 0.37lbs
June 17, 2025	10387	Cutthroat @ 0.37lbs
June 17, 2025	11340	Cutthroat @ 0.37lbs
June 16, 2025	11340	Cutthroat @ 0.37lbs
June 9, 2025	13396	Cutthroat @ 0.38lbs
October 23, 2023	1890	Rainbow @ 0.37lbs
October 10, 2022	4000	Rainbow @ 0.4lbs
October 10, 2022	3750	Rainbow @ 0.4lbs
July 7, 2021	73697	Cutthroat @ 0.34lbs
June 29, 2021	33944	Cutthroat @ 0.36lbs
June 28, 2021	6500	Cutthroat @ 0.36lbs

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Lake Chelan Map

Lake Chelan Fish Species

Lake Chelan provides excellent opportunities for kokanee and westslope cutthroat trout as well as good opportunities for lake trout. There is also a chance to catch tench, burbot, peamouth, chiselmouth, rainbow trout, chinook salmon, largemouth bass, pygmy whitefish, signal crayfish, smallmouth bass, bridgelip sucker, largescale sucker and three-spine stickleback throughout the year.

	January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December
Tench
Burbot
Kokanee
Peamouth
Lake trout
Chiselmouth
Rainbow trout
Chinook salmon
Largemouth bass
Pygmy Whitefish
Signal crayfish
Smallmouth bass
Bridgelip sucker
Largescale sucker
Three-spine stickleback
Westslope cutthroat trout

Lake Chelan Fishing Reports

An extremely popular lake, there has been hundreds of reports by anglers at Lake Chelan.

Anglers reported the most success with mackinaw. Kokanee is also a popular species to fish for at Lake Chelan.

A list of the best bait to use for stocked rainbow trout.

Lake Chelan - Mackinaw Fishing Tips

At Lake Chelan, the best time for catching mackinaw is morning. Anglers also reported success with mackinaw around all day. Popular baits used include corn and attractor for mackinaw. Trolling and trolling with fly are the common and successful methods used at Lake Chelan to catch mackinaw.

Lake Chelan - Kokanee Fishing Tips

The most popular time for catching kokanee at Lake Chelan is morning. Anglers also reported success with kokanee around all day. Corn and maggots are the most common and successful baits used at Lake Chelan to catch kokanee. Anglers often fish by trolling and trolling w/downriggers for kokanee.

Lake Chelan - Rainbow Trout Fishing Tips

At Lake Chelan, the best time for catching rainbow trout is morning. Anglers also reported success with rainbow trout around noon. Popular baits used include worms and power bait for rainbow trout. Trolling and bottom fishing from shore are the common and successful methods used at Lake Chelan to catch rainbow trout.

Lake Chelan - Salmon Fishing Tips

The most popular time for catching salmon at Lake Chelan is morning. Anglers also reported success with salmon around all day. are the most common and successful baits used at Lake Chelan to catch salmon. Anglers often fish by trolling and trolling with fly for salmon.

Lake Chelan - Smallmouth Bass Fishing Tips

At Lake Chelan, the best time for catching smallmouth bass is all day. Anglers also reported success with smallmouth bass around morning. Bottom fishing from boat and top fishing from shore are the common and successful methods used at Lake Chelan to catch smallmouth bass.