Council Lake (Skamania County)

Council Lake is a drive up mountain lake on the north west flank of Mt. Adams.  It has a U.S. Forest Service campground.  It is stocked annually with catchable rainbow trout, but also contains eastern brook, brown trout, and cutthroat trout.

The lake is open year round to fishing.  But lake access is usually blocked by snow until late spring/early summer.  Access is again blocked by snow around mid-November.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Skamania
Acreage: 43.70 ac.
Elevation: 4225 ft.
TRS: T09R09E SEC13
Center: 46.266702, -121.629467
Open in Google Maps

Fish stocking info

Release Location: COUNCIL LK (SKAM)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Jun 3, 2000 Eastern Brook Trout 3,131 2.16 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Jul 28, 1999 Eastern Brook Trout 2,096 1.65 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Oct 13, 1998 Cutthroat 2,345 134 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Jul 6, 1998 Eastern Brook Trout 3,178 2.74 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Jul 8, 1997 Eastern Brook Trout 3,232 2.43 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Aug 14, 1996 Eastern Brook Trout 4,568 18.2 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Jun 26, 1996 Eastern Brook Trout 1,224 1.7 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Jun 25, 1996 Eastern Brook Trout 2,006 1.7 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Jun 23, 1995 Eastern Brook Trout 1,947 2.2 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Jun 21, 1995 Eastern Brook Trout 2,013 2.2 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY

Fishing prospects calendar

Rainbow trout

Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide, but they can be caught year-round in most waters with a little patience and persistence. Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.
Chart showing fishing prospects throughout the calendar year