Fishing near Yakima, Washington
Yakima County, population 96,968.
- 2 milesto nearest paged water
- 1launch nearby
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Robert Ashworth, CC BY 2.0
First casts for anglers staying in Yakima
Yakima, a city of Yakima County, counted 96,968 residents when the 2020 Census was taken. Head north about 2 miles and Myron Lake is the first paged water. By WDFW acreage, Elton Pond North comes first at 24 acres. A 9 miles tow reaches Mellis Road boat launch on Yakima River, the nearest launch on the layers.
For pier or bank fishing, Lake Myron shore access lies 2 miles away. WDFW planted trout in Myron Lake this year, 2 miles from town.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Yakima; miles are straight lines.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Reservoirs and lakes ringing Yakima
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | WDFW program | Fish WDFW maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myron Lake | 2 miles north | 14 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed |
| Rotary Lake | 3 miles northeast | 20 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch |
| Elton Pond North | 5 miles northeast | 24 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed |
| I-82 Pond 1 | 10 miles southeast | 13 | 0 | Mixed species – Warmwater emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| I-82 Pond 2 | 10 miles southeast | 22 | 0 | Mixed species – Warmwater emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| I-82 Pond 3 | 12 miles southeast | 17 | 0 | Mixed species – Warmwater emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers (surface acres as published, management emphasis, mapped species); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Steelhead and trout streams near Yakima
- Naches River3 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, coho and steelhead trout, 4 WDFW shore or access sites, 46 mi in Washington
USGS streamgages close to Yakima
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap, Wa | 19 cfs, 2.82 ft gage height | Nov 1 7:30 pm |
| Yakima River Above Ahtanum Creek At Union Gap, Wa | 1,050 cfs, 39.96 ft gage height | Nov 1 6:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 1, 2026 7:38 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 Yakima, mapped
- Mellis Road boat launch on Yakima RiverYakima River, WDFW, 9 miles
Pier and platform fishing near Yakima
- Lake Myron shore accesswater access area, 2 miles
- Myron Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Trail around lake leads to shore fishing , 2 miles
- Rotary Lake fishing pierfishing pier, 3 miles
- Rotary Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Excellent shore fishing off the Yakima GreenWay Trail, 3 miles
- Rotary Lake fishing pierfishing pier, 3 miles
- Rotary Lake fishing pierfishing platform, 3 miles
WDFW Facilities layer and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Stocked lakes within reach of Yakima
| Lake | Distance | Latest 2026 plant |
|---|---|---|
| Myron Lake | 2 miles | Rainbow, 300 fish at 0.8 per pound, March 31, 2026, Naches Hatchery |
| Rotary Lake | 3 miles | Rainbow, 2,016 fish at 2.4 per pound, April 28, 2026, Naches Hatchery |
| McCabe Pond | 23 miles | Rainbow, 1,008 fish at 2.4 per pound, April 28, 2026, Naches Hatchery |
| Lost Lake (Yakima County) | 25 miles | Rainbow, 200 fish at 0.8 per pound, May 12, 2026, Naches 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 Yakima
Gear stops leaving Yakima
- Bass Pro Shops Union Gapsporting goods store, Union Gap, 3 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Union Gapsporting goods store, Union Gap, 4 miles
- Stagecoach RV Park / Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Selah
- Don's Dry Dock Marina Incmarina, Yakima
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 Yakima
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bull Trout | 22.50 lbs | Tieton River | April 23, 1961 |
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026. Waters within 40 miles.
Pamphlet rows for Yakima anglers
The Freshwater license is the base item here, $39.95 resident and $115.85 nonresident for the 2026-27 license year. 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 Yakima
Washington towns beside Yakima
- Union Gap4 miles
- Selah4 miles
- Ahtanum4 miles
- Summitview5 miles
- Gleed5 miles
The county page for Yakima water
- Yakima Countyseat: Yakima
Rods and reels from Piscifun ahead of a trip to Yakima
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Fish worth recognising before a day at Yakima
Photo: Yellowstone National Park, Public domain
Photo: Pengo, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
Photo: NPS Natural Resources, Public domain
Questions from anglers bedding down in Yakima
Which lake guide is closest for Yakima anglers?
Myron Lake, 2 miles north.
Which WDFW or park ramp lies closest to Yakima?
Mellis Road boat launch on Yakima River, about 9 miles.
Is there shore fishing close to Yakima?
Closest: Lake Myron shore access, 2 miles.
Where can Yakima anglers buy tackle?
Bass Pro Shops Union Gap lists a store 3 miles from the town point.
Which county page includes Yakima in its town list?
The town sits in Yakima County.
What does WDFW charge a nonresident staying in Yakima?
Out-of-state anglers buy the $115.85 nonresident Freshwater license.
Which large lake is in range of Yakima?
Elton Pond North covers 24 acres and sits 5 miles out.
Which other Washington towns lie close to Yakima?
Nearby towns are Union Gap (4 miles), Selah (4 miles) and Ahtanum (4 miles).
Was a Washington record caught near Yakima?
Bull Trout, 22.50 lbs, from Tieton River, Yakima County.
Where does WDFW plant trout near Yakima?
Myron Lake, 2 miles away, is the closest lake with a 2026 WDFW plant.
Base a Washington fishing trip in Yakima
Lake pages show ramps, trout plants and WDFW species.