Washington lake guide
Lake Sammamish Fishing
Lake Sammamish is a large, structurally varied King County lake where contours help anglers follow offshore cutthroat, deep summer perch and bass transitions.
LocationKing County, Washington
Primary targetsKokanee, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass
Best seasonSpring through fall
Lake size4853.10 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Average depth58 feet
Max depth105 feet
Elevation30 feet
Public launches2
Summer cautionWind
Lake depth map
Depth contours may take a little time to load. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Contour line20 ft Visible depth label
Source: Washington State Department of Ecology. Historical survey data may not reflect current water levels or underwater hazards. Informational only; not for navigation.
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What makes Lake Sammamish distinctive
Lake Sammamish reaches about 105 feet at its deepest documented point.
Lake Sammamish covers roughly 4,853 surface acres, making it one of the larger waters represented in FishyNW.
FishyNW documents 8 fish species here, giving Lake Sammamish an unusually broad mix of fishing opportunities.
Measured & official data
Water Science
Loading available public monitoring and fishery science…
Pass 3 · depth + water column
Seasonal Fish Habitat
Surface · 0 ft
How to read this data
Temperature, dissolved oxygen, clarity, nutrients, chlorophyll-a, pH, and conductivity are observations from public monitoring records and may be historical. Thermocline depth is shown only when FishyNW can derive a strong vertical temperature gradient from a measured profile. It is not treated as a permanent lake characteristic.
Trophic indication uses the Carlson Trophic State Index only when FishyNW can normalize a measured chlorophyll-a, Secchi, or total-phosphorus value. It is a derived ecological indicator, not an agency impairment determination.
Seasonal Fish Habitat is shown only when verified bathymetry overlaps a same-day, same-station temperature and dissolved-oxygen profile. It is a historical screening snapshot, not a live prediction of where fish are located.
For lake trout, FishyNW uses the broader USGS-tested screening combination of water at or below 15°C (59°F) and dissolved oxygen at or above 4 mg/L. For other coldwater species, FishyNW does not invent a preferred-temperature threshold; it shows only the observed thermocline-to-oxygenated-depth refuge when the evidence supports it.
Harmful-algae status is never inferred from missing data. Always check the linked state source for current advisories before contact recreation.
Open matched Water Quality Portal recordsFishery record
Documented fish species
These species come from the lake record. Open a species guide for identification, seasonal behavior, and practical tactics without confusing general species guidance with a lake-specific survey result.
Trout and salmon
Kokanee
Troll small dodgers, hoochies, wedding rings, or spinners.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Smallmouth Bass
Focus on rock, points, breaks, and transitions.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Largemouth Bass
Look for weeds, docks, wood, shade, and warmer pockets.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Perch and pike
Yellow Perch
Use small jigs, bait, or dropper rigs near schools.
View species guide
Catfish and bullheads
Brown Bullhead
See bottom-oriented tactics, timing, bait options, and handling tips.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Chinook Salmon
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Coho Salmon
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Stocking information
Lake Sammamish Fish Stocking
Recent stocking information summarized from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Dates and quantities can change. Always verify current fishing rules with the official agency before fishing.
Official stocking history
Five-year summary · 2022–2026
View agency record Fish stocked34,627
Stocking events16
Years stocked4
Species stocked1
Species in this period: Kokanee
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2025 | Kokanee | 4,053 | 125.3 fish/lb (~0.01 lb each) | ISSAQUAH HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
| May 27, 2025 | Kokanee | 4,181 | 125.2 fish/lb (~0.01 lb each) | ISSAQUAH HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Last checked: Aug 26, 2026 4:15pm
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
10
verified signals
Research & surveys
Official survey records available
Use the evidence
Turn records into a fishing plan
- Compare survey evidence with the seasonal guide.
- Use the map to connect depth, access, and structure.
- Confirm current rules and access before your trip.
Trip conditions
Current conditions
Loading the local forecast. Check access and official notices before leaving.
TodayLoading
WindLoading
GustsLoading
Rain chanceLoading
Four day outlook
Tools
Today's Lure Pick
Open Tools for species-specific lure guidance.
Angler interpretation
How the fishery changes through the seasons
This is the practical layer: use it alongside the documented species, depth, stocking, survey, access, and regulation record above. The current season opens first.
Spring
trout, bass, kokanee- Start here
- Cooler water, recent stocking, fish moving shallow, and protected shorelines or inlets that warm first.
- Watch for
- Cold fronts, changing water levels, muddy inflow, and early-season ramp conditions.
Summer
bass, panfish, catfish, kokanee early- Start here
- Fish early or late, then adjust toward deeper water, shade, vegetation, or comfortable temperature zones.
- Watch for
- Wind, weeds, algae, heat, and heavier boat traffic.
Fall
trout, bass- Start here
- Cooling water, shoreline structure, points, weed edges, and simple presentations that let you cover water.
- Watch for
- Wind on open water, rapidly changing weather, and shorter daylight windows.
Winter
perch, trout- Start here
- Legal open-water or ice access, stable depth zones, and conservative cold-weather trip plans.
- Watch for
- Ice safety where relevant, ramps, road conditions, cold-water exposure, and current rules.
Know before you go
Rules and restrictions
WDFW lists species-specific closures and protections, including kokanee and steelhead restrictions. Check current rules and emergency changes.
Local angler stops
Nearby bait & tackle
Independent and locally owned shops near this water. Call ahead if you need a specific bait or item.
The Avid Angler
Independent full-service fly fishing shopLake Forest Park, Washington · Seattle-area fly shop serving regional lakes, rivers, and Puget Sound fisheries with gear, flies, classes, guide trips, and local fishing reports.
Pacific Fly Fishers
Independent fly fishing shopMill Creek, Washington · Full-service fly shop with flies, tying materials, rods, reels, instruction, and local knowledge for Puget Sound-area lakes and rivers.
John's Sporting Goods
Independent fishing tackle shopEverett, Washington · Long-running family fishing shop with Puget Sound, salmon, bottomfish, crabbing, shrimping, kokanee, and Northwest tackle plus local fishing knowledge.
Local-business listings can change. FishyNW does not rank shops by payment or sponsorship. Verify current hours and inventory before driving.
Keep exploring
Nearby waters
Phantom Lake — King County
about 1.2 miles away
Phantom Lake in Bellevue is an urban warmwater fishery for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Brown…
Pine Lake — King County about 2.5 miles awayPine Lake in Sammamish is a popular seasonal urban fishery for stocked Rainbow Trout plus Largemouth Bass, Yellow…
Beaver Lake — Sammamish about 4.6 miles awayBeaver Lake in Sammamish is a three-water complex where most fishing occurs on the larger, accessible lake. Stocked…
Lake Boren about 5.3 miles awayLake Boren is a small Newcastle urban fishery with stocked Rainbow Trout, resident Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Largemouth Bass,…
Sammamish River River systemA slow urban river connecting Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington with limited access and seasonal fish movement.
After the trip
Log what happened on the water
Use CatchSignal for catch reports, trip history, photos, and community activity. Keep your fishing history while controlling how much location detail you share.
Sources & feedback
Verified resources
Official links for this lake
Open the source that matches what you are planning.
Community feedback
See something that needs an update?
Send the correction and, when possible, the source. FishyNW reviews submissions before changing the guide.