Photo of Yakima River: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, CC BY 2.0
Yakima County, Washington
Yakima County from a Washington angler's seat
Census takers counted 256,728 people across Yakima County in 2020, and county government sits in Yakima. Stocking rows for the county carry the WDFW Region 3 label in the WDFW report. A neighbouring state holds part of Columbia River. WDFW counts 59 lakes in the county among its high lakes, most reached on foot.
23 lakes here carry a full page, together 11,123 acres, the biggest being Priest Rapids Lake. WDFW distribution maps place salmon or steelhead runs in Yakima River, Klickitat River, Columbia River and Naches River. Boaters get 7 boat launches from the agency layers, managed by 7 WDFW. The WDFW layer shows 46 shore or access sites for fishing on foot; 14 are piers.
23lake pages
7boat launches
10river pages
4shops listed
Census 2020 population; WDFW Fish Washington lake layers, WDFW facilities and State Parks launch layers (WDFW GIS); WDFW marine areas; retrieved October 31, 2026.
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers (surface acres as published, management emphasis, mapped species); WDFW publishes no lake depths in these layers. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
Species
Fish named most often on water near Yakima County
Across water pages within 50 miles of Yakima, rainbow trout is named more than any other fish.
Rainbow trout36 waters
Largemouth bass17 waters
Pumpkinseed16 waters
Yellow perch13 waters
Brook trout9 waters
Brown bullhead8 waters
Black crappie7 waters
Brown trout3 waters
Coastal cutthroat trout3 waters
Bluegill2 waters
Species mapped in the WDFW Fish Washington layers, WDFW state records and the 2026 WDFW trout plants, counted per water page within 50 miles; not a survey.
More water
Alpine tarns and ponds dotted over Yakima County
A further 64 lakes in Yakima County are mapped but thin on facts.
Water
Acres
WDFW program
Nearest town
Dewey Lake
51
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Buckley
Cramer Lake
18
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Cougar – Little Lake
12
WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes
Tieton
Deer Lake (Yakima County)
12
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Shellrock Lake
11
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Cedar Lake
10
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Cle Elum
Cirque Lake
8
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
East Blankenship Lake
8
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Upper Dewey Lake
8
WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes
Buckley
Surprise Lake
7
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Green Lake (Yakima County)
7
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Crag Lake
6
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Flatiron Lake
6
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Cle Elum
South Blankenship Lake
6
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
American Lake
5
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Lily Lake
5
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Root Lake
5
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Janet Lake
5
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Cle Elum
Hill Lake
4
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Otter Lake
4
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
McDaniel Lake
4
Trout emphasis
Tieton
Basin Lake
4
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Cle Elum
Bear Lake (Yakima County)
4
WDFW high lake, getting started lakes
Tieton
North Blankenship Lake
4
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Reflection Pond
4
Mixed species – Trout emphasis
Terrace Heights
Pillar Lake
4
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Blue Lake (Yakima County)
3
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Sheepherder Lake
3
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Cle Elum
Placer Lake
3
WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes
Buckley
Yakima Sportsmens Pond
3
Mixed species – Trout emphasis
Terrace Heights
Buck Lake (Yakima County)
3
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Tims Ponds
3
Trout emphasis
Tieton
Two Lakes
3
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Long John Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Sheep Lake
2
WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes
Buckley
Hell Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Tieton Ranger Pond
2
Trout emphasis
Tieton
Brown Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Richmond Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Melba Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
One Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Anna Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Cle Elum
Fish Lake (Yakima County)
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Long Lake (Yakima County)
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Art Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Lightning Lake
2
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Indian Flat Pond
2
Trout emphasis
Cle Elum
Bauer Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Devils Washbasin Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Lynne Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Snowplow Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
White Salmon
Wildcat Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Naches Pk – Sportsmen Day Pond
1
Trout emphasis
Naches
Sandstone Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Cle Elum
Warm Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Phantom Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Mal Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Zillah Winery Pond
1
Mixed species – Trout emphasis
Zillah
Ginnette Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Little Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Angel Lake
1
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
Three Sombreros Lake
0
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Cle Elum
Firing Center Pond 1
0
Mixed species – Trout emphasis
Selah
Thunder Lake
0
WDFW high lake, fish stocking
Tieton
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers and USGS NHD lake outlines, retrieved October 31, 2026.
Rivers
Streams to drift or wade in Yakima County
Yakima RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and kokanee, 15 mapped launches, 5 WDFW shore or access sites, 5 USGS gauges, 218 mi in Washington
Klickitat RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 4 mapped launches, 1 WDFW shore or access site, 2 USGS gauges, 95 mi in Washington
Columbia RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 8 WDFW shore or access sites, 6 USGS gauges, 728 mi in Washington
Naches RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 4 WDFW shore or access sites, 46 mi in Washington
Bumping RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and kokanee, 33 mi in Washington
American RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 1 USGS gauge, 25 mi in Washington
Tieton RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and kokanee, 22 mi in Washington
South Fork Tieton RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and kokanee, 21 mi in Washington
North Fork Tieton RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and kokanee, 15 mi in Washington
Little Naches RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 1 WDFW shore or access site, 14 mi in Washington
More creeks and sloughs of Yakima County (7)
Fish Creek1 WDFW shore or access site, 3 mi in Washington
Kelly Ditch1 WDFW shore or access site, 4 mi in Washington
Middle Fork Little Naches RiverSWIFD lists coho and steelhead trout, 6 mi in Washington
Rainier Fork American River5 mi in Washington
South Fork Little Naches RiverSWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 10 mi in Washington
Sulphur Creek Wasteway1 WDFW shore or access site, 7 mi in Washington
West Fork Klickitat RiverSWIFD lists chinook and steelhead trout, 6 mi in Washington
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 7:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS NHD flowlines and Washington lengths, WDFW SWIFD salmon and steelhead distribution, WDFW and State Parks launches, USGS gauges; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Stocking
Stocked trout in the lakes of Yakima County
In 2026, 54 WDFW plants put 74,812 trout into 13 waters inside Yakima County.
Tims PondRainbow, 49 fish at 0.2 per pound, October 22, 2026, Goldendale Hatchery
Tims PondRainbow, 11 fish at 0.1 per pound, October 22, 2026, Goldendale Hatchery
Sarge Hubbard PondRainbow, 11 fish at 0.1 per pound, October 22, 2026, Goldendale Hatchery
Sarge Hubbard PondRainbow, 49 fish at 0.2 per pound, October 22, 2026, Goldendale Hatchery
Naches Sportsmans PondRainbow, 200 fish at 1.6 per pound, September 12, 2026, Naches Hatchery
Tims PondRainbow, 1,000 fish at 1.6 per pound, August 31, 2026, Naches Hatchery
Tims PondRainbow, 1,311 fish at 2.3 per pound, June 3, 2026, Naches Hatchery
Indian Flat PondRainbow, 862 fish at 2.3 per pound, June 3, 2026, Naches Hatchery
Dog LakeRainbow, 3,335 fish at 2.3 per pound, June 1, 2026, Naches Hatchery
Clear Lake (Yakima County)Rainbow, 3,335 fish at 2.3 per pound, June 1, 2026, Naches Hatchery
Clear Lake (Yakima County)Rainbow, 2,080 fish at 2.6 per pound, May 28, 2026, Mossyrock Hatchery
Tims PondRainbow, 1,248 fish at 2.4 per pound, May 27, 2026, Naches Hatchery
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026; newest plants first.
WDFW Facilities layer (boat launches, piers, shore sites) and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026. Lanes and per-launch fees are not published in these layers.
Regulations
Statewide freshwater rules across Yakima County
The baseline for Yakima County is the statewide freshwater table; named waters below set their own terms. Lake and river trips call for the Freshwater license: $39.95 if you live in Washington, $115.85 if you do not. A catch record card rides along with the license whenever salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut are kept.
Min. size 12" in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 8. Only 1 over 22" may be retained. May be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until daily limit is in possession.
Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31
No min. size. Daily limit 10. When fishing with bait, all kokanee that are lawful to possess and are equal to or greater than the minimum size are counted as part of the daily limit whether kept or released.
Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for
Tiger Muskellunge (Tiger Muskie)
Min. size 50". Daily limit 1.
Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for
In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2.
Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23)
Where Yakima County breaks from the statewide tables (786)
Water and reach
Species
Rule
Ahtanum Creek: from mouth to confluence of North and South Forks
All species
Selective gear rules.
Ahtanum Creek: from mouth to confluence of North and South Forks
All game fish
Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31)
Middle Fork Ahtanum Creek: from mouth to A2000 Spur Rd. Bridge in NE 1/4 of Section 34
All species
Selective gear rules.
Middle Fork Ahtanum Creek: from mouth to A2000 Spur Rd. Bridge in NE 1/4 of Section 34
All game fish
Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31)
Middle Fork Ahtanum Creek: from the A2000 Spur Rd. Bridge in NE 1/4 of section 34 upstream to the A2800 Rd. Bridge at Tree Phones Campground (about 3.5 miles).
All species
CLOSED WATERS.
Middle Fork Ahtanum Creek: from A2800 Rd. Bridge at Tree Phones Campground upstream
All species
Selective gear rules.
Middle Fork Ahtanum Creek: from A2800 Rd. Bridge at Tree Phones Campground upstream
All game fish
Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31)
North Fork Ahtanum Creek: from mouth to Grey Rock Trailhead Bridge crossing
All species
Selective gear rules.
North Fork Ahtanum Creek: from mouth to Grey Rock Trailhead Bridge crossing
All game fish
Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31)
North Fork Ahtanum Creek: from Grey Rock Trailhead Bridge crossing to Shellneck Creek (about 1.7 miles)
All species
CLOSED WATERS.
North Fork Ahtanum Creek: from Shellneck Creek upstream
All species
Selective gear rules.
North Fork Ahtanum Creek: from Shellneck Creek upstream
All game fish
Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31)
American River: from mouth to Hwy. 410 Bridge at river mile 5.4
All species
Selective gear rules.
American River: from mouth to Hwy. 410 Bridge at river mile 5.4
All game fish
Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31)
American River: from Hwy. 410 Bridge at river mile 5.4 to Mesatchee Creek Trail river crossing at river mile 15.8
All species
Selective gear rules.
American River: from Hwy. 410 Bridge at river mile 5.4 to Mesatchee Creek Trail river crossing at river mile 15.8
All species
CLOSED WATERS. (July 16-Sept. 15)
American River: from Hwy. 410 Bridge at river mile 5.4 to Mesatchee Creek Trail river crossing at river mile 15.8
All game fish
Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-July 15)
American River: from Hwy. 410 Bridge at river mile 5.4 to Mesatchee Creek Trail river crossing at river mile 15.8
All game fish
Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sept. 16-Oct. 31)
American River: from Mesatchee Creek Trail river crossing at river mile 15.8 upstream
All species
Selective gear rules.
American River: from Mesatchee Creek Trail river crossing at river mile 15.8 upstream
All game fish
Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31)
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026. Special Rules as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), pamphlet page 48 (pamphlet PDF), read on eRegulations October 31, 2026.
Records
Heaviest fish WDFW credits to Yakima County
Species
Weight
Angler
Water
Date
Bull Trout
22.50 lbs
Louis Schott
Tieton River
April 23, 1961
Bluegill
2.33 lbs
Ron Hinote
Tampico Park Pond, Yakima County
June 10, 1984
Smallmouth Bass
8.75 lbs
Ray Wonacott
Columbia River
April 23, 1966
Blue Catfish
17.75 lbs
Rangle Hawthorne
Columbia River
July 9, 1975
Peamouth
1.48 lbs
Michael Lane
Columbia River
May 10, 2026
American Shad
3.85 lbs
Tom Magnuson
Columbia River
June 21, 2005
Largescale Sucker
8.96 lbs
Kimo Gabriel
Columbia River
March 21, 2026
Mountain Whitefish
5.13 lbs
Steven Becken
Columbia River
Nov. 30, 1983
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026.
Local help
Yakima County bait counters and charter skippers
Shop listings for Yakima County
Stagecoach RV Park / Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Selah
Bass Pro Shops Union Gapsporting goods store, Union Gap
Dick's Sporting Goods Union Gapsporting goods store, Union Gap
Don's Dry Dock Marina Incmarina, Yakima
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide and charter listings (city of business); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photos
Lakes, rivers and sound close to Yakima County, pictured
Yakima River45 mi Photo: brewbooks, CC BY-SA 2.0Klickitat River41 mi Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domainColumbia River69 mi Photo: Bonnie Moreland, Public domainLake Umatilla60 mi Photo: Bruce Fingerhood, CC BY 2.0
Answers
What Washington anglers ask about Yakima County
Which agencies run the launches in Yakima County?
7 launches; 7 WDFW.
Which Yakima County lake shows the most acres in the WDFW layer?
Priest Rapids Lake, at 6,387 surface acres in the WDFW layer.
What tops the species tally for Yakima County water?
Rainbow trout lead the count of water pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch.
Where in Yakima County can an angler restock gear?
Stagecoach RV Park / Bait & Tackle is one of 4 shops listed here.
Can visitors hire a fishing guide based in Yakima County?
No skipper gives a city in the county.
Which town has the Yakima County courthouse?
Yakima, home of the courthouse.
Does fishing in Yakima County need a saltwater license?
Lake and river trips call for the Freshwater license: $39.95 if you live in Washington, $115.85 if you do not.
Which counties touch the Yakima County line?
The list above starts with Klickitat County, Kittitas County and Benton County.
Which Yakima County lakes or creeks have their own rule?
The 2026-27 pamphlet prints 786 Special Rule entries touching this county, starting with Ahtanum Creek; the table above shows the first ones.
Does Yakima County water hold a state record?
Bull Trout, 22.50 lbs, from Tieton River, Yakima County (April 23, 1961).
When was Yakima County water last planted?
54 WDFW plants so far in 2026, 74,812 fish; the latest went into Tims Pond on Oct. 22, 2026.
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 
