Washington lake guide
Rimrock Lake Fishing
Rimrock Lake is included in FishyNW's contour-required Washington expansion because mapped depth structure is useful to anglers for locating basins, breaks, points, channels and seasonal fish-holding water.
LocationYakima County, Washington
Primary targetsKokanee, Rainbow Trout
Best seasonSpring to early summer
Lake size2546.30 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Max depthabout 196 feet near Tieton Dam
Elevation2926 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 Rimrock Lake distinctive
Rimrock Lake reaches about 196 feet at its deepest documented point.
Rimrock Lake covers roughly 2,546 surface acres, making it one of the larger waters represented in FishyNW.
Rimrock Lake has documented stocking context in the FishyNW research record, adding a managed-fishery component to its profile.
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
Trout and salmon
Rainbow Trout
Use bait, small spinners, spoons, or slow trolling depending on access.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Brook Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Stocking information
Rimrock Lake 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.
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2003 | Kokanee | 158,620 | 515 fish/lb (~0 lb each) | NACHES HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
| Oct 5, 1999 | Cutthroat | 7,938 | 441 fish/lb (~0 lb each) | NACHES HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Last checked: Aug 17, 2026 4:12pm
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
9
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
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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, 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
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- 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
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
Check current WDFW lake-specific and statewide regulations before fishing.
Keep exploring
Nearby waters
Clear Lake — Yakima County
about 5.6 miles away
Clear Lake — Yakima County is included in FishyNW's contour-required Washington expansion because mapped depth structure is useful…
Cle Elum Lake about 43.5 miles awayCle Elum Lake is included in FishyNW's contour-required Washington expansion because mapped depth structure is useful to anglers…
Kachess Lake about 47.0 miles awayKachess Lake is included in FishyNW's contour-required Washington expansion because mapped depth structure is useful to anglers for…
Keechelus Lake about 48.4 miles awayKeechelus Lake is a large mountain reservoir where bathymetry is useful for trolling kokanee and trout, tracking channel…
Tieton River River systemA cold, dam-influenced Naches tributary flowing from Rimrock Lake through a steep Highway 12 canyon. Fishing conditions can…
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.