Isabella Lake

Isabella Lake has a year-round open season but a large population of northern pikeminnow and overwintering cormorants have led to the cessation of rainbow trout stocking. However, a native wild cutthroat population provides some trout fishing opportunity. Largemouth bass, yellow perch and brown bullhead catfish are also present.

A state access with two toilets is available. The boat launch is suitable for smaller boats and canoes.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Shore access is limited to the area around the boat launch.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Mason
Acreage: 211.20 ac.
Elevation: 118 ft.
Center: 47.171335, -123.116084
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: ISABELLA LK (MASO)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Apr 25, 1996	Rainbow	788	0.8	EELLS SPRINGS
Oct 4, 1995	Rainbow	4,689	1.8	EELLS SPRINGS
May 4, 1995	Rainbow	721	0.7	EELLS SPRINGS

Fishing prospects calendar

Coastal cutthroat trout (resident)

Fishing is best for Coastal Cutthroat in the spring and fall. There is a summer lull as fish move offshore into deeper waters to escape the summer heat in July and August. Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams.

Largemouth bass

Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving.

Yellow perch

Yellow Perch can be caught year-round. Fishing is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. Catch begins to decline in the fall as water temperatures cool and fish move offshore forcing anglers to pursue them in boats. Successful fishing for Yellow Perch in the winter involves either targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice.

Brown bullhead

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.

Northern pikeminnow

Fishing success for Northern Pikeminnow increases in May and June as water temperatures increase, and generally peaks in late June, although fishing conditions can vary throughout the Columbia River. After a lull during the heat of summer, fishing success peaks again in late September-early October. Northern Pikeminnow congregate in rocky areas with fast currents near dams, islands, stream mouths, points, eddies, rows of pilings, and ledges or bars in the river. Sunrise, sunset, and night are generally the best fishing times. Studies show there are greater concentrations of Northern Pikeminnow in shallow water during low-light conditions.