Fishing near Bellevue, Washington
King County, population 151,854.
- under a mileto nearest paged water
- 8launches nearby
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Matthew Rutledge, CC BY 2.0
First casts for anglers staying in Bellevue
Bellevue, a city of King County, counted 151,854 residents when the 2020 Census was taken. Head northeast under a mile and Larsen Lake is the first paged water. By WDFW acreage, Lake Washington comes first at 21,934 acres. A 5 miles tow reaches Lake Sammamish launch, the nearest launch on the layers.
Saltwater anglers reach Elliott Bay in about 10 miles. For pier or bank fishing, Phantom Lake shore access lies 1 mile away. WDFW planted trout in Lake Boren this year, 5 miles from town.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Bellevue; miles are straight lines.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Reservoirs and lakes ringing Bellevue
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | WDFW program | Fish WDFW maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larsen Lake | under a mile northeast | 10 | 0 | Warmwater emphasis | coastal cutthroat trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Phantom Lake | 2 miles east | 64 | 0 | Warmwater emphasis | largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch |
| Lake Sammamish | 3 miles east | 4,853 | 6 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | coastal cutthroat trout, kokanee, largemouth bass |
| Lake Boren | 5 miles south | 16 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout, largemouth bass |
| Pine Lake (King County) | 5 miles east | 86 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Lake Washington | 5 miles west | 21,934 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | coastal cutthroat trout, kokanee, largemouth bass |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers (surface acres as published, management emphasis, mapped species); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Marine areas a drive from Bellevue
| Water | Kind | Distance | Launches | Piers and shore | Marine area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elliott Bay | regional marine water | 10 miles west | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| Seattle-Bremerton (Marine Area 10) | WDFW marine area | 15 miles west | 3 | 22 | 10 |
| Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11) | WDFW marine area | 18 miles southwest | 0 | 8 | 11 |
| Colvos Passage | regional marine water | 21 miles southwest | 0 | 2 | 11 |
| Sinclair Inlet | regional marine water | 23 miles west | 2 | 10 | 10 |
Anyone 16 or older needs a Washington Freshwater license, priced at $39.95 for residents and $115.85 for nonresidents in 2026-27. Marine areas fall under the Saltwater license: $40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident in 2026-27.
WDFW Recreational Marine Areas, WDFW and State Parks marine launches, WDFW piers; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Steelhead and trout streams near Bellevue
- Duwamish River9 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 2 USGS gauges, 5 mi in Washington
- Snoqualmie River11 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 4 mapped launches, 3 USGS gauges, 43 mi in Washington
- Sammamish River11 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, coho and kokanee, 1 mapped launch, 14 mi in Washington
- Raging River12 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 mapped launch, 1 USGS gauge, 16 mi in Washington
- Tolt River14 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 mapped launch, 1 WDFW shore or access site, 1 USGS gauge, 8 mi in Washington
USGS streamgages close to Bellevue
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Issaquah Creek Near Mouth Near Issaquah, Wa | 28 cfs, 3.88 ft gage height | Nov 1 6:15 pm |
| Cedar River At Renton, Wa | 327 cfs, 8.59 ft gage height | Nov 1 6:15 pm |
| Duwamish R At E Marginal Way Br At Duwamish, Wa | 6.84 ft gage height | Nov 1 5:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 1, 2026 6:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS NHD flowlines, WDFW SWIFD salmon and steelhead distribution, WDFW and State Parks launches and USGS gauges; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Ramps and piers by Bellevue, mapped
- Lake Sammamish launchLake Sammamish, State Parks, 5 miles
- Lake Sammamish launchLake Sammamish, State Parks, 5 miles
- Lake Sammamish launchLake Sammamish, State Parks, 5 miles
- Lake Sammamish launchLake Sammamish, State Parks, 5 miles
- Lake Sammamish launchLake Sammamish, State Parks, 5 miles
- Lake Sammamish launchLake Sammamish, State Parks, 5 miles
- Beaver Lake boat launch on Beaver Lake – SammamishBeaver Lake – Sammamish, WDFW, 7 miles
- Lake Desire boat launchLake Desire, WDFW, 11 miles
Pier and platform fishing near Bellevue
- Phantom Lake shore accessaccess point (no launch), 1 mile
- Phantom Lake fishing piershore fishing site, Public pier, 1 mile
- Lake Washington fishing pier near Beaux Arts Village (east)shore fishing site, Large public pier with spacious fishing area, adjacent to sw, 2 miles
- Lake Washington fishing pier near Beaux Arts Village (north), King Countyshore fishing site, Public pier, can be crowded with swimmers, 2 miles
- Lake Washington fishing piershore fishing site, Small public pier at the end of SE 15th Street, shallow wate, 3 miles
- Lake Washington fishing pier near Beaux Arts Village (north), King Countyshore fishing site, Public pier offers good fishing in the summer, can be crowde, 3 miles
WDFW Facilities layer and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Stocked lakes within reach of Bellevue
| Lake | Distance | Latest 2026 plant |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Boren | 5 miles | Rainbow, 1,350 fish at 2.2 per pound, May 26, 2026, Puyallup Hatchery |
| Pine Lake (King County) | 5 miles | Rainbow, 8,700 fish at 2 per pound, April 13, 2026, Tokul Cr Hatchery |
| Green Lake (King County) | 10 miles | Rainbow, 1,632 fish at 0.85 per pound, October 13, 2026, Whitehorse Pond |
| Lake Desire | 11 miles | Rainbow, 905 fish at 0.6 per pound, October 15, 2026, Tokul Cr Hatchery |
Planted lakes near town, with the newest WDFW release for each.
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026.
Washington tackle and guides for Bellevue
Gear stops leaving Bellevue
- Dick's Sporting Goods Bellevuesporting goods store, Bellevue, 2 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Issaquahsporting goods store, Issaquah, 8 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Seattlesporting goods store, Seattle, 11 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tukwilasporting goods store, Tukwila, 12 miles
- Angle Maidenbait and tackle shop, Auburn
- Tow Boat Seattlemarina, Auburn
- Bellevue Marinasmarina, Bellevue
- Brandt's Landing Marinamarina, Bellevue
Skippers and river guides for Bellevue visitors
- Adventure Charterscharter, Seattle, (206) 789-8245
- Digital Anglerscharter, Redmond, (206) 819-7010
- Emerald Water Anglerscharter, Seattle, (206) 708-7250
- Fish Finders Private Charterscharter, Seattle, (206) 632-2611
- Screaminreels Guide Servicecharter, Duvall, (206) 849-2574
- Tight Lines Sports Fishingcharter, Des Moines, (206) 715-0879
Yellow Pages and chain store listings (miles only for shops with an exact point), guide and charter listings; retrieved October 31, 2026.
State record fish caught a drive from Bellevue
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie | 4.50 lbs | Lake Washington | May 1, 1956 |
| Sockeye Salmon | 10.63 lbs | Lake Washington | July 20, 1982 |
| Atlantic Salmon, sea-run | 14.38 lbs | Green River (King County) | Sept. 22, 1999 |
| Black Bullhead | 1.81 lbs | Cassidy Lake | Sept. 4, 2020 |
| Largemouth Bass | 12.53 lbs | Bosworth Lake | Aug. 8, 2016 |
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026. Waters within 40 miles.
Pamphlet rows for Bellevue anglers
The Freshwater license is the base item here, $39.95 resident and $115.85 nonresident for the 2026-27 license year. Salmon and bottomfish trips on marine water take the $40.71 resident Saltwater license ($81.70 for nonresidents). The catch record card, issued with the license, logs every salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut taken home.
| Species | Limit | 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 |
| Largemouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | 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 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | 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 |
| Walleye | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | 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 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | 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 rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2. | Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23) |
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, river and marine pages print any Special Rule or marine area table.
On the roads out of Bellevue
Washington towns beside Bellevue
- Clyde Hill4 miles
- Mercer Island4 miles
- Yarrow Point4 miles
- Medina4 miles
- Newcastle5 miles
The county page for Bellevue water
- King Countyseat: Seattle
Rods and reels from Piscifun ahead of a trip to Bellevue
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Fish worth recognising before a day at Bellevue
Photo: Yellowstone National Park, Public domain
Photo: Pengo, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: USFWS – Pacific Region, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Mike Cline, Public domain
Questions from anglers bedding down in Bellevue
Which lake guide is closest for Bellevue anglers?
Larsen Lake, under a mile northeast.
Which WDFW or park ramp lies closest to Bellevue?
Lake Sammamish launch, about 5 miles.
Is there shore fishing close to Bellevue?
Closest: Phantom Lake shore access, 1 mile.
Where can Bellevue anglers buy tackle?
Dick's Sporting Goods Bellevue lists a store 2 miles from the town point.
Which county page includes Bellevue in its town list?
The town sits in King County.
What does WDFW charge a nonresident staying in Bellevue?
Out-of-state anglers buy the $115.85 nonresident Freshwater license. Marine areas call for a Saltwater license on top.
Which large lake is in range of Bellevue?
Lake Washington covers 21,934 acres and sits 5 miles out.
Which other Washington towns lie close to Bellevue?
Nearby towns are Clyde Hill (4 miles), Mercer Island (4 miles) and Yarrow Point (4 miles).
How close is Bellevue to marine fishing?
Elliott Bay, regional marine water, about 10 miles away.
Was a Washington record caught near Bellevue?
Black Crappie, 4.50 lbs, from Lake Washington, King County.
Where does WDFW plant trout near Bellevue?
Lake Boren, 5 miles away, is the closest lake with a 2026 WDFW plant.
Base a Washington fishing trip in Bellevue
Lake pages show ramps, trout plants and WDFW species.