Fishing Rock Lake

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Rock Lake, WA

Popular Fish Species Rock Lake, WA

Rainbow Trout Fishing

Continuous stocking programs by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has helped to maintain a good population of rainbow trout for anglers at Rock Lake. Fish for rainbow trout here with worms, salmon eggs, prepared baits, small spinners, spoons, jerkbaits and small crankbaits in vibrant colors to mimic their preferred prey. While fishing from a boat is preferred, plenty of trout are caught here by anglers fishing from the bank. Additionally, floating or sinking flies, such as nymphs, streamers, or dry flies, are popular choices for fly anglers targeting rainbow trout. Trolling with lures or flies behind a boat, casting near shoreline structures, or still fishing with bait can all yield success. Adjusting lure size, color, and retrieve speed can enhance chances of enticing these colorful and spirited fish.

Black Crappie Fishing

A nice population of black crappie resides in Rock Lake. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually 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. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. 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.

Brown Trout Fishing

Currently, fishing for brown trout in Rock Lake is delivering some nice catches. These hearty fighters migrate around the lake in search of baitfish and comfortable water temperatures, preferably in the 50 to 62 degree range. In spring brown trout, along with the baitfish, move to the shallows which warms first. As the days get warmer in summer they move deeper, again following schools of bait. As Fall and Winter arrive, browns tend to stay in deeper water. When these trout move deep, it is typically in the 20- to 45-foot range. Nightcrawlers are always a good bait for brown trout. In-line spinners, bait-colored crankbaits and small spoons are other options.

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Rock Lake Fishing Video

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow perch and kokanee at Rock Lake in Washington.

Located in a remote area of eastern Washington, Rock Lake is a fishery which gets limited fishing pressure. For the dedicated fishing buffs who visit this 2,200-acre lake, the fishing can be quite good. Popular fish species found here include rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, largemouth bass, sunfish, perch and smallmouth bass. There are more than 15 miles of shoreline, and only a small area nearby the one primitive boat ramp is accessible for fishing from the bank.