Fishing Moses Lake

Popular Fish Species
Moses Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Moses Lake, WA

Popular Fish Species Moses Lake, WA

Moses Lake Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Moses Lake continues to sustain a robust smallmouth bass population. Many locals enjoy smallmouth fishing, as smallies are tough fighters and very exciting to catch. Smallmouth bass fishing is good virtually anytime they are shallow. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Largemouth bass also reside here in good numbers. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish. When the lake freezes over, consider ice fishing for smallies.

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to a significant baitfish and excellent fisheries management by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, walleye are thriving in the fertile waters of Moses Lake this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rock and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Black Crappie Fishing

Moses Lake holds a plentiful population of black crappie, which are fat and healthy this year. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a nice bunch of slabs. Because crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Moses Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, yellow perch and whitefish at Moses Lake in Washington.

Surrounded by a mixture of rural and urban areas, Moses Lake is a great destination for fishing. Smallmouth bass and walleye dominate the attention of anglers at this 6,800-acre reservoir, located in the central part of Washington, at the town of Moses Lake.

In addition to working the 120 miles of shoreline for smallmouth bass, anglers also fish for catfish, crappie, trout, whitefish, panfish and perch. The elevation of the lake is 1,070 ft above sea level. At parks, campgrounds and some urban areas there is access for bank fishing or launching canoes and kayaks.

Primary fish species residing in Moses Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Moses Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Lakeshore Water Sports
Rentals: Kayaks
509 765-9201

PRO Touch Boat Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
509 765-1030

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Blue Heron Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, at the west end of the Highway 90 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Cascade Valley Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, far east side, off W Valley Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Connelly Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Bouldercrest Road NE, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Linden Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, far east side, off Linden Ave, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lower Peninsula Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located on the southeast shore of the peninsula, off Battery Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

North Moses Lake Public Access Boat Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off Old Moses Lake Highway, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Marinas

Cascade Marina
8138 Scott Rd NE
Moses Lake, WA 98837
509 765-6718