Lake Chelan Fishing
A 32,623-acre Washington lake in Chelan County.
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Starting out on Lake Chelan
The Fish Washington layer gives Lake Chelan 32,623 acres; the water lies in Chelan County. At around 1,102 feet, the climate on its banks follows the elevation. Manson, about 14 miles away, is the closest Census place. Its WDFW management emphasis: mixed-species water managed with a trout emphasis. Its county sits in WDFW Region 2.
There are 11 launches in the access layers; 11 are public. For fishing without a boat there are 5 shore fishing sites. The 2026-27 pamphlet lists 3 Special Rules here. WDFW hatcheries logged 1 trout plant into it so far in 2026. The lake layer calls bank access good.
WDFW Fish Washington lake layers on geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov (surface acres, elevation, management emphasis, shoreline access, species), USGS NHD outlines, Census 2023 places, retrieved October 31, 2026.
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Species WDFW ties to Lake Chelan, from its lake layer, records and plants:
WDFW Fish Washington species layers (presence, not abundance), WDFW records and the 2026 trout plant report; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Putting a boat on Lake Chelan
- Lake Chelan launchDiscover Pass, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Lake Chelan, Beach Row dockDiscover Pass, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Twenty Five Mile Creek launch on Lake ChelanDiscover Pass, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Twenty Five Mile Creek, Marina entire system on Lake ChelanDiscover Pass, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Lake Chelan launchDiscover Pass, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Lake Chelan launchDiscover Pass, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Lake Chelan launchDiscover Pass, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Lake Chelan, Beach Row dockDiscover Pass, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Lake Chelan, Beach Row dockDiscover Pass, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Lake Chelan, Beach Row dockDiscover Pass, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Lake Chelan, Beach Row dockDiscover Pass, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Bank access on Lake Chelan
- Domke Lake on Lake Chelanshore fishing site, Take ferry to Lucerne, must hike approximately 3 miles to la
- Lake Chelan fishing piershore fishing site, Dock fishing, numerous scattered shore fishing areas
- Lake Chelan fishing pier near Manson (south)shore fishing site, Dock fishing, 150+ meters of shore fishing area
- Lake Chelan shore accessshore fishing site, 100+ meters of shore fishing area
- Lake Chelan fishing pier near Manson (north)shore fishing site, Pier fishing, may have summertime closures
Fallback launches for Lake Chelan
- Roses Lake boat launchRoses Lake, 12 miles southeast
WDFW Water Access Sites and Shore Fishing Sites layers (geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov) and the Washington State Parks boat launch layer, retrieved October 31, 2026. A Discover Pass is needed to park at WDFW access sites and State Parks launches.
Forebay and gauge readings at Lake Chelan
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Chelan At Purple Point At Stehekin, Wa | 1,092.88 ft lake elevation | Nov 2 7:00 pm |
| Lake Chelan At Chelan, Wa | 1,093.05 ft lake elevation | Nov 2 7:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 2, 2026 7:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USACE Northwestern Division water management data, CHL.Elev-Forebay.Inst.1Hour.0.CBT-REV, reading for October 31, 2026 PST, retrieved October 31, 2026; series datum not stated. Provisional.
Compare the timestamp before trusting any Lake Chelan reading.
Trout plants in Lake Chelan
The WDFW report shows 1 trout plants at Lake Chelan, 11,250 fish together.
- Lake CHELANRainbow, 11,250 fish at 2.5 per pound, September 9, 2026, Chelan Pud Hatchery
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026.
Fish an angler can bag at Lake Chelan
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only largemouth bass less than 12" may be retained, except 1 over 17" may be retained. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only 1 smallmouth bass over 14" may be retained. Daily limit 10. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Walleye | 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 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Burbot (Freshwater Ling) | No min. size. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Crappie, Northern Pikeminnow, Peamouth Chub, Perch, Suckers, Sunfish, | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Grass Carp | Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules. | Closed |
| Kokanee | 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 |
| Whitefish | No min. size. Daily limit 15. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Steelhead | Release all wild steelhead. Min. size 20". Daily limit 2. Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed. | Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed |
| Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout | In lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: No min. size. Daily limit 5. | Year-round (statewide lake season, p.23) |
| Trout (combined rivers and lakes same day) | The combined daily limit for an angler that fishes in both rivers and lakes on the same day is 5 trout, no more than 2 may be from rivers. | see the pamphlet |
| Lake Trout | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Eastern Brook Trout (EBT) | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Dolly Varden/Bull Trout | Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules. | Closed |
Statewide rows govern Lake Chelan unless the Special Rules band changes them.
Special rules printed for Lake Chelan
| Water as printed | Species | Rule and season |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Chelan | Trout | Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release wild cutthroat trout. (Year-round) |
| Lake Chelan | Other game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Year-round) |
| Lake Chelan | Salmon | Min. size 15". Daily limit 1. No catch record card required. (Year-round) |
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 93 (pamphlet PDF), read on eRegulations October 31, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older need a Washington Freshwater license ($39.95 resident, $115.85 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license; salmon, steelhead and sturgeon also take a catch record card.
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.
Lake Chelan in the WDFW sport fish records
| Species | Weight | Angler | Water as printed | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Trout (Mackinaw) | 35.63 lbs | Phil Colyar | Lake Chelan, Chelan County | Feb. 4, 2013 |
WDFW sport fish records (freshwater and saltwater record lists, kept by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)) as listed October 31, 2026. All Washington records.
Who runs weigh-ins on Lake Chelan
Organizer dates, launches and printed results for Lake Chelan are kept on one page.
Nearby lakes set beside Lake Chelan
Anyone wanting more room can drive to Wapato Lake (Chelan County), 195 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation | Launches | 2026 plants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Chelan | 32,623 | 1,102 ft | 11 | 1 | |
| Upper Antilon Lake | 9 miles southeast | 34 | 2,329 ft | 0 | 0 |
| Lower Antilon Lake | 10 miles southeast | 36 | 2,329 ft | 0 | 0 |
| Dry Lake | 11 miles southeast | 81 | 1,167 ft | 0 | 1 |
| Wapato Lake (Chelan County) | 11 miles southeast | 195 | 1,232 ft | 0 | 1 |
| Roses Lake | 12 miles southeast | 178 | 1,168 ft | 1 | 6 |
WDFW Fish Washington lake layers, access layers and the 2026 trout plant report; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Near Lake Chelan
Neighbouring lakes to Lake Chelan
- Upper Antilon Lake9 miles southeast
- Lower Antilon Lake10 miles southeast
- Dry Lake11 miles southeast
- Wapato Lake (Chelan County)11 miles southeast
- Roses Lake12 miles southeast
Guide services listed near Lake Chelan
- Allan's Fishing Guide Servicecharter, Chelan, (509) 670-0411
- Darrell and Dads Family Guide Service Fishing Tripscharter, Manson, (509) 687-0709
- Don Talbot's Fishing Guide Servicecharter, Wenatchee, (509) 679-8641
Lodging towns for anglers working Lake Chelan
- Manson14 miles
- Chelan20 miles
- Entiat25 miles
Lake Chelan county by county
- Chelan Countyseat: Wenatchee
Piscifun reels and line rigged for Lake Chelan
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The shoreline country around Lake Chelan, in pictures
Photo: Dan Ox, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: JOHN LLOYD, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Douglas Sherwood, CC BY 2.0
Photo: JamesInOregon, CC BY 2.0
Before you drive to Lake Chelan: common questions
Where in Washington is Lake Chelan?
The WDFW point falls in Chelan County, about 14 miles from Manson.
What size does the Fish Washington layer give Lake Chelan?
Near 32,623 acres.
Which listed ramp suits a first trip to Lake Chelan?
Use Lake Chelan launch, one of 11 launches.
Which gamefish are on record at Lake Chelan?
WDFW names rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and lake trout.
Does WDFW print Special Rules of its own for Lake Chelan?
Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout: In lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: No min. size. Daily limit 5.; Year-round (statewide lake season, p.23). A 2026-27 Special Rule overrides part of that.
Do I need a Washington license to fish Lake Chelan?
Anglers 16 and older need a Washington Freshwater license ($39.95 resident, $115.85 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license; salmon, steelhead and sturgeon also take a catch record card.
Were trout planted in Lake Chelan in 2026?
Yes, 1 rows so far; most recent Rainbow, 11,250 fish at 2.5 per pound, September 9, 2026, Chelan Pud Hatchery.
Who sells worms and PowerBait near Lake Chelan?
Bring bait from home; nothing on our Washington list is near.
Where can I check the level at Lake Chelan?
Above: the dated reading from USGS.
Has Lake Chelan produced a Washington record?
Lake Trout (Mackinaw), 35.63 lbs, by Phil Colyar (Feb. 4, 2013).
Plan a Cascades-to-coast trip around Lake Chelan
Check the daily limit before a fish goes on the stringer.