Early Season Alpine Lakes Fishing

[pickardjw]

Looking at a backpacking trip in late May to an Alpine lake that's around 6400' elevation. My research on hiking forums / websites hasn't turned up any real information about whether the lake will be frozen at that time or not. Anyone have any experience or knowledge to share?

There are some pictures of this particular lake in November with only icy edges...but I assume it does fully freeze over at least between late December and early March.

[ganghis]

probably not ice free until August.  Expect snow camping.  Unfortunately there's a relatively short window for snowfree backpacking at higher elevations in the Cascades, like August-September.  October can be okay sometimes too, just depends on the weather

[KP-Skagit]

Can be variable depending on depth of lake, location, exposure. East side and West side also factor in. My experience on the west side is most of the alpine is choked with snow until at least July. I think it will be later this year.

Few years ago I hiked up to a lake that was only 4000 in late June and there was a large sheet of ice still floating in it. West side.

I would expect a lot of snow in your way and at least a partly frozen lake.

[fishngamereaper]

It varies year to year...

This year it will probably not only be frozen but still covered in snow..but who knows...a couple warm week's and everything changes..

Most alpine lakes are generally fishable by July.

Which lake would be helpful...not like any of those lakes are secret.

[pickardjw]

Yeah this one's no secret, Lake Ingalls. So east side of the Cascades and its on the east / south east slope. Been up there a few times in September. Definitely expect some snow, just don't know if it's a waste of time to bring fishing poles.

I dug way back into All Trails photos and found some June 2018 where the ice was pretty broken up all across the lake. No telling if that's early June or Late June though...

[pickardjw]

I think I'm convinced that Ingalls will be to frozen over in late May to fish, so going in a different direction...

Anyone have suggestions on backcountry lakes to fish in late May? Range would be around or under 3 hours from Seattle...

[elkchaser54]

Last summer I hit up the alpine lakes wilderness first week of June and snow level was around 4500 ft of elevation with lakes open and was able to cast some spoons

[jackelope]

Just saw a screenshot on a local ski/snowboard FB page indicating Mt Baker had the most snow in the lower 48 and Stevens Pass was #3. It’s been a monster snow year in our Cascades. I doubt there will be any true backcountry fishing in May anywhere at any sort of elevation anyway.

Here you go.

[fishngamereaper]

Snow level 1k this week, forecast 18-20" new snow the next week... probably be July before anything above 4k thaws enough to fish...

Backcountry fishing is better July/August anyway when the bugs are thick.

No recommendations for true backcountry lower lakes to fish that will probably be thawed.

[pd]

The lakes above 4k' in the Olympics are still solid with a snow/ice cap on Memorial Day, in a typical year.  I agree with Jackelope, the fishing is actually better in July or August--the fish are HUNGRY and the bugs are plentiful.

[BNAElkhntr]

Looking at a backpacking trip in late May to an Alpine lake that's around 6400' elevation. My research on hiking forums / websites hasn't turned up any real information about whether the lake will be frozen at that time or not. Anyone have any experience or knowledge to share?

There are some pictures of this particular lake in November with only icy edges...but I assume it does fully freeze over at least between late December and early March.


I doubt youll get that high this year in may lot of snow up high

[Blacktail135]

 I’ve always considered around July 4th as a time to start thinking about high lake fishing. September is the prettiest time to go I think.

[jstone]

Not a high mountain lake but stayed a couple days at Domkey lake and the fishing was awesome. I wanted to hike up to Mirror Lake and fish but the smoke from the Omsk fire was way to thick. I will try again this year.

[Skyvalhunter]

As a high lake fish stocker and surveyor there are alot of variables but usually mid July is a good estimation. Don't forget your bug spray.

[zwickeyman]

I’ve always considered around July 4th as a time to start thinking about high lake fishing. September is the prettiest time to go I think.