GUIDE TO
WASHINGTON
STILLWATERS
This Top 10 list points anglers
toward some of the best trout
fishing in the West
By Stephan Avena
Washington state is a dreamscape for dedicated
stillwater anglers—it hosts more than 8,000 lakes
and many of those, including dozens in the Omak
area, are managed by progressive regulations. Due
to that, these lakes provide excellent trout fishing and
many cases, the opportunity to take large fish.
The following Top-10 list—as chosen by the
staff at the North 40 Fly Shop, Omak—
should read like a lifetime hit-list.
Fishing any of these waters
could lead to the best day
of your life, and we
hope these brief
descriptions inspire you to visit one or more of
these placid, fishy places when the ice breaks
up.
But . . . first a disclaimer: There are great
fishing waters sprinkled around the region,
including many in western Washington. Our Top-
10 list should only be considered a starting point.
In addition, we’ve highlighted 10 lakes that are
pretty well set in the stillwater angler’s mindset.
In other words, we’re not giving away secrets
here. You can read more about these waters in
books and online. But best, feel free to visit us
at North 40 Fly Shop, Omak and we’ll get you
headed in the right direction, with the right gear
and flies.