Fishing in Kittitas County

“Working Today For Tomorrow’s Wildlife”

The “Leave No Trace” Ethic

Proper wilderness recreation etiquette is mandatory for these mountain adventures. With hundreds of thousands of anglers and hikers roaming Washington’s high country each season, care must be taken to minimize human impact. Backcountry meadows and shorelines are often extremely delicate.

Alpine fish populations are often equally fragile. Thoughtful anglers keep just one or two for the pan and release the rest for others to enjoy.

Please remember the following tips for recreating responsibly in the backcountry:

Take the time to learn both fishing and land-use regulations for the area you plan to visit.
Pack out everything you pack in. If possible, take out any litter from less-thoughtful hikers or anglers.
Maintain water quality by keeping human waste and waste water away from lakes and streams. If possible, camp at least 200 feet from the nearest lake or stream.
Where campfires are legal and safe, use an established fire ring and only dead and downed wood.
Pack out the viscera from any fish kept, or dispose of it in water 25 feet deep. Burying it at least 100 yards away from lake, trails or camps, is also acceptable.
Be mindful of damaging fragile vegetation, both along the shoreline and in campsites.

Safety

The keys to a safe and enjoyable high country fishing adventure are preparedness and a healthy respect for nature. Keep the following in mind when planning your trip: Solitude is great, but the buddy system is much safer, especially off-trail. Always tell someone where you’re going and when you intend to return.

Mountain lakes are too cold to do much swimming in. Check frequently for leaks in rafts. Use an inflatable sleeping pad as insulation under you and as a backup flotation device. Wear a personal flotation device.

Even for day trips, carry rain gear, warm clothes, survival blanket, compass, map, extra food, backpacking stove and flashlight, especially when off-trail.

Never walk on a “frozen” lake. The freezing pattern is erratic, so a lake may have some supporting ice below the surface snow/slush in one spot, but be unsupported in another. For this reason, high lakes are generally unsuitable for ice fishing, particularly in western Washington.