High Lake fishing and camping

[magnanimous_j]

With the weather getting a bit warmer, my buddies and I were thinking of doing a high lake weekend. Not asking for honey holes or secret lakes, but does anyone have a recommendation for a lake with decent fishing, where you can camp by the water, and isn't a highway for day hikers? Anything from 1-15 miles round trip hike would be fine, and hopefully within a couple hours drive of Seattle?

Thanks for the help. I've been cooped up in the city for WAY too long and I need to get out a bit.

[fair-chase]

Still too early to get much elevation, but here are a couple good resources to start your search...

High Lakes Stocking Report

Washington Hi Lakers/Trail Blazers Forum

[snowpack]

I think it is still a bit early to get above about 4K ft.  You could do some river hikes/lowland lakes and camp low and fish.

[magnanimous_j]

Elevation isn't a huge priority, I just thought it have less people a little higher up (I like to see as few people as possible  ). Also, hopefully the fish wouldn't have that mud-mush flavor/texture that the planted rainbows can get when the lakes are too warm and shallow.

[Alpine Mojo]

a lake with decent fishing
camp by the water
isn't a highway for day hikers
within a couple hours drive of Seattle
like to see as few people as possible

Thats a tall order, but you can find what you are looking for if you are willing to work for it.  Drive more than a couple hours from Seattle and it will get a little easier.  Not much easier, just a little.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Still too early to get much elevation, but here are a couple good resources to start your search...

High Lakes Stocking Report

Washington Hi Lakers/Trail Blazers Forum

Thanks fair chase, I joined the Washington high lakes forum, it's a little clunky compared to hunt wa.

[MLHSN]

Here is another good link:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/high_lakes/

I've been a long-distance member of the High-Lakers for 6 or 7 years now and find both the people and the database to be an endless resource for Washington High-Lakes.

I find the spirit of exploration to be one of the biggest attractions for me and high-lakes fishing.  It's kind of like a treasure hunt.  I spend hours pouring over maps to find some rarely visited blue dot on a topo map.  I've been skunked a few times and a few times I've caught some really nice fish.  But it's almost always a good adventure with good friends, fresh air, and beautiful scenary.

Like a few others have said, it's a little early to be getting to any high-lakes.  Eightmile Lake melts out around May and Black Lake in the Pasayten melts out around early May also.  Apart from that you are pushing into late June/ early July or even August.

[magnanimous_j]

a lake with decent fishing
camp by the water
isn't a highway for day hikers
within a couple hours drive of Seattle
like to see as few people as possible

Thats a tall order, but you can find what you are looking for if you are willing to work for it. 

If it was easy, I wouldn't need your guys help 

I'll work for it, that's half the fun. I just need a push in the right direction.

[MLHSN]

Ok, here's a push.

 The link I posted before has a list towards the bottom of suggested lakes.  Those lakes are all overpopulated with stunted trout, that's why they suggest them. 

However, a number of those lakes have good fishing at lakes very close by.  I would suggest setting up base camp at one those, and then daytrip to nearby smaller lakes.

[whitey]

Still to much snow up where Im going to suggest but put it on the list of things to do.
Rock Lake and Merrit Lake just east of stevens pass. Take some good boots you will need them, but the hike and views are killer and the fishing isnt bad either.

[magnanimous_j]

Thanks for all the advice guys. This should keep me busy this summer. 

[bhawley76]

Mt. Si in north bend has a few good lakes up high. I would have someone drop you off I wouldn't leave my car there. It might not be there when you get back.