This lake is a day-use area only. No overnight camping allowed.
Located just three miles southeast of Snoqualmie Pass along the south side of I-90, take the Hyak exit to the boat launch & parking area on the south side of the reservoir. With a year round season, Keechelus should be good for 8 to 12 inch kokanee by early June. Trolling or still fishing is effective and chumming is permitted. Rainbows, cutthroat, and burbot are also taken. There is a 10 fish catch limit for kokanee in addition to a two-fish 14-inch minimum size trout daily limit. The lake is annually stocked with kokanee fry.
Please note:
- The lake is closed to fishing for bull trout; please carefully release any bull trout that are inadvertently hooked. There are no lake trout (mackinaw) in this lake.
- Gold Creek is closed to all fishing. Do not drive in the creek.
- Do not drive on the reservoir bed unless it is to launch or retrieve a boat at an established launch site.
Keechelus gets light fishing pressure, with poor boat launching after the reservoir is drawn down in late summer. Caution should be taken if fishing during the winter months due to snow and ice conditions. There is a Forest Service boat launch at the upper (southwest) end of the lake.
Two-pole fishing is NOT allowed
Shoreline access: Good - Good shoreline access around most of the reservoir off Hwy access roads and trails.
Species you might catch
- Bull trout
- Burbot
- Cutthroat trout
- Golden trout
- Kokanee
- Pygmy Whitefish
- Rainbow trout
- Westslope cutthroat trout
Lake information
County: Kittitas
Acreage: 2408.50 ac.
Elevation: 2521 ft.
Center: 47.326711, -121.351609
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