Pass Lake

Pass Lake on Fidalgo Island near Anacortes is the most celebrated and historically significant stillwater fly fishing destination in Washington State — a small (108 acres), fly-fishing-only, catch-and-release lake that has been managed under these special regulations since 1950, making it one of the longest-running quality stillwater management programs in North America. The lake's 75-year history of catch-and-release, fly-only fishing has created a rainbow trout population of extraordinary quality — large, wild fish averaging 16–22 inches that are sophisticated, well-fed, and extremely selective. These are among the most technically challenging stillwater rainbows in the Pacific Northwest, requiring precise chironomid presentation, careful depth matching, and patient approach. They are not easy fish, but when the hatch is on and the presentation is right, Pass Lake rainbows fight with the power of fish twice their size. The lake's small size means it can be covered thoroughly with a float tube, and the chironomid emergences that dominate the fishery are consistent and predictable from ice-off (late February) through November. The lake's proximity to the Anacortes ferry terminal and the San Juan Islands makes it an excellent destination for Seattle-area anglers — the drive from Seattle is 90 minutes on Interstate 5. Pass Lake has historically produced Washington State record rainbows, and the current management regime ensures that fish continue to grow to exceptional sizes in the lake's nutrient-rich water.