A Guide to the Best Omak Area Fisheries
One of the best things about coming to the Omak area is the number of lakes that offer great fishing opportunities for the fly angler. For me, it is a real challenge to find the time to fish them all. We all have our favorite lakes to fish, and I am no exception to that. With that said, here in our area, we have several lakes that offer great fishing. There are two fly fishing only lakes and a handful of selective gear lakes. Plus, the big bonus is a handful of what I would call quality lakes within the boundaries of the Colville Confederated Tribes’ Lands.
When it comes to what type of trout we have in the area, we have a pretty good mix of them. Rainbows being the primary in most lakes but, you can also find brown, brook, tiger, cutthroats, and one of the big ones: Lahontan cutthroats. If your game is bass, we have them too. Large and smallmouth plus, perch, crappie, and bluegill. So, here is my guide to the best Omak Area Fisheries
What are the best practices for catch and release of trout? Learn here.
Best Omak Area Lakes
Chopaka Lake
One of the top destination fly-fishing-only lakes in Washington State, Chopaka Lake, will see visiting anglers from all over Washington State -as well as parts of Idaho and Oregon too. Chopaka Lake is located about seven miles northwest of the little town of Loomis and sits at 3,000 feet, nestled between sagebrush and pine tree hills. This 160-acre lake is a loaded with chunky rainbows that will put on a show as they fight hard and become airborne when hooked. Because Chopaka Lake is a fly-fishing-only lake you’ll want to consult the state’s rules pamphlet for more information.
For the first 45 days after it opens on the 4th Saturday in April, finding an open campsite might be a challenge. With 18 campsites available, it does not take long to fill up. Chironomids are the fly of choice for most anglers here right after the lake opens. Throw in leech and bugger patterns and you will be kept busy. Then comes the phenomenal mayfly hatches that this lake is known for. The dry fly action can yield 20 to 30 fish days.
As the spring days give way to summer and the waters warm off, the fishing slows as the rainbows move into deeper water. Once the nighttime temperatures cool down, this is the signaling approach of fall. The fish become very active at this time as they feed heavily to fatten up for the coming winter months. It closes to fishing on the 31st of October.
Camping at Chopak Lake this Summer? Read this before you go.
Blue Lake (Sinlahekin)
The 205 acre Blue Lake is located in the Sinlahekin Valley at an elevation of 1,600 feet. It is located approximately six miles north of the town of Conconully. If you like a lake that has more than one species of trout, Blue Lake is it. Here, you will find rainbows up to 18 inches, browns over 20 inches, and tiger trout that have been introduced into the lake too. The larger tigers are right around 16 inches, right now.
This is another lake that opens the 4th Saturday in April and closes on the 31st of October. There are a number of campsites as well as a toilet facility. Since Blue Lake is not far from Chopaka Lake, it is a good place to go for a change up or back up to Chopaka.
Blue Lake may start off a little slow but, it improves very quickly once spring temperatures warm up. Chironomids and micro leeches are a good bet to get you started in the early part of the season. The mid-May mayfly hatches can closely match that of Chopaka Lake. Most of the time, it becomes a, “what's working today” type of fishery. Bring your best selection of scuds, chironomids, damselflies, and leech patterns with you. Finally, Blue Lake is a selective gear fishery. You’ll want to consult the state rules pamphlet for more details.
Aeneas Lake
Classified as a lowland lake, Aeneas Lake opens on the 4th Saturday in April and closes the 31st of October. At 1,300 feet, this 60-acre lake is located approximately five miles southwest from the town of Tonasket. The boat launch and toilet are located at the south end of the lake.
This fly-fishing-only lake might not get as much pressure as Chopaka Lake but, it sees its fair share of the fly-fishing crowds. With rainbow trout getting up to 18 inches and brown trout coming in at about the same size, it is well worth the trip.
You will want to have your boxes filled with your favorite stillwater patterns. A fly I came up with, Jack’s Boring Leech, was originally created for Aeneas Lake. Also, simple black leeches are a must for this lake. This lake warms up quicker than our other ones so be mindful of water temperatures for the health of the fish after they are caught and released.
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McGinnis Lake
The million-acre tribal lands of the Colville Confederated Tribes have several quality lakes that are open to non-tribal members. One of these lakes is McGinnis Lake. At 2,400 feet in elevation and 118 acres, it has one of the best brook trout fisheries in the state. To have better access to where the fish are, some type of a boat is a must. This is one lake where a throat pump will be a necessity.
Located about eight miles northeast of Coulee dam, McGinnis Lake is one of three lakes located close to each other. The others are: Buffalo Lake, which contains large rainbows and largemouth bass and Rebecca Lake that is another bass lake. These other two lakes can offer some excellent fly-fishing opportunities for the fish they contain. You will need to purchase a non-tribal member fishing license. You can either go online to the tribe's website or stop in here at the Omak North40 Fly Shop and pick one up.
With the average fish running about 16 inches, you just never know what you might hook into. The list of what these fish feed on runs from olive chironomids or chromies, #20 olive/tan scuds, damselflies, mayflies' leeches, and even minnows. Once you find what they like, it will be on. Then things will die down and you’ll have to switch to something else.
Rat Lake
The nice thing about Rat Lake is that when I go, I have rarely seen more than just a couple of other boats when I have been there. Rat Lake is 61 acres at an elevation of 1,673 feet, and it is located west of Brewster by about six miles. This lake holds rainbows, brown trout and, about two years ago, tiger trout were introduced to the lake. A boat launch and toilet are located at the south end of the lake.
A word of caution at this lake. If you choose to walk around the shoreline, be careful where you step. Once the weather warms up the area, rattlesnakes are out and at times close to the shoreline. Rat Lake is open year-round as a selective gear fishery, and if you are unclear about this type of fishery, check the states rules pamphlet.
Here at the shop, we have a saying about Rat and that is, “anything olive.” For us, most of the time, if you use an olive leech or bugger that has olive or has some olive coloring in it, you will be catching some fish. That does not mean you should not try other flies -black or olive chrinomids will get you results some of the time. I also use a yellow leech pattern that has done quite well for me. Other times, minnow patterns can solicit very savage strikes. Most of the rainbows will be in the 16-inches range with some carryovers right around the 20-inches mark, and the browns will be coming in right around 14 inches on the average. The tigers will be right around 12 inches on the average.
Green Lakes
Both Green Lakes are open year-round under the selective gear rules. Green Lake is 45 acres and Little Green Lake is 10 acres. Both are at an elevation of 1,560 feet, and they are located six miles northwest of the City of Okanogan. There is a campground and boat launch on the east side of Green Lake too.
The Green Lakes are the type of lakes where you go if you want to have a fun time just catching feisty rainbow trout. These are also excellent lakes for beginning fly anglers -to boost their confidence. The smaller 10 to 12-inch trout will mob your fly without hesitation. Plus, there are also a number of carryovers in the 17-inches range but, you will have to get past the little guys to have a shot at their big brothers and sisters.
Dry fly action can be a real hoot here with parachute Adams and purple hazes. If you’re a mind to chironomid fish, the color and size are important. You’ll have to play around to figure out what the color of the day is. Leeches, buggers, minnows all work well here.
Davis Lake
If you want a little change of scenery from the Okanogan Valley, the Methow Valley to the west might be a good idea. Another year-round selective fishery lake, Davis, has little to moderate pressure most of the time. It is located four miles southeast of the western theme town of Winthrop, and it sits at an elevation of 2,160 feet. Plus, there is a state access boat ramp at the north end of the lake. This easy access location means you’ll able to get on the lake quickly.
Fun to fish, Davis is about 40 acres and home to rainbow trout 12 to 17 inches. It is one of those lakes that leeches seem to be the preferred fly pattern. My first fly in the water here is a pumpkin head leech. Most of the time it’s the only fly I’ll tie on, not to say other patterns won't work -because they do… After the lake turns over in the springtime, chironomids are always a good pattern to use. Various other leech patterns have done quite well, and damselfly nymphs are another very productive pattern from mid-May on.
The Omak area has a number of lakes that offer great fishing opportunities, and these are just a handful of our more popular lakes located in Okanogan County. If you have any questions on other lakes or waters, give us a call at the Omak North40 Fly Shop. Tight lines and see you on the water.