Fishing Lake Sammamish

AKA: Sammamish Lake

Popular Fish Species
Lake Sammamish Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
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Lake Sammamish, WA

Popular Fish Species Lake Sammamish, WA

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are the most sought-after species at Lake Sammamish, with fish over 3 pounds very common. Largemouth bass also reside here in good numbers. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good when they move to shallow water. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around any sort of rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. Other times, focus your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Cutthroat Trout Fishing

The ideal approach to catching cutthroat is fly fishing, and the key is to match the hatch. Catching cutthroat trout in Lake Sammamish with lures or bait can also productive. Presented properly, cutthroat trout can be caught on small spinners and spoons. Like all fish, cutthroat like to have some sort of cover. This year, fishing for cutthroat trout here has been fair to very good, year round depending on conditions. While the ideal setting for cutthroats is in a river or stream, they are also stocked in reservoirs, like Lake Sammamish. They will hang out in boulders, fallen trees, along drop-offs and ledges.

Yellow Perch Fishing

Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at Lake Sammamish. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.

Lake Sammamish Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow perch, cutthroat, chinook salmon, coho salmon, kokanee, sockeye salmon, steelhead and burbot at Lake Sammamish in Washington.

With primary access through Lake Sammamish State Park, Lake Sammamish is an anglers paradise. The 4,900-acre, located lake in the west-central part of the state, 5 miles east of Bellevue, has about 20 miles of shoreline. Popular fish species include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and walleye. The elevation here is only 30 ft above sea level and water temperatures support both cold-water and warm-water species of fish. Trout, two kinds of bass, four kinds of salmon, perch, sunfish, steelhead and burbot all reside here in healthy numbers. Some shoreline fishing is available at the park for those wishing to fish from the bank. Canoes and kayaks can be portaged from the park as well.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Sammamish

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Sammamish Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Issaquah Paddle Sports
Rentals: Kayaks
425 891-5039

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Lake Sammamish State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off E Lake Sammamish Parkway, this is a thirteen-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.