Patterson Lake

Located just west of Winthrop, Patterson provides a diverse fishery during most of the year. There is a WDFW access site with gravel boat launch in addition to a private resort with cabins and small boat rentals. Expect to catch kokanee in the 10-11 inch range and yellow perch in the 6-8 inch range. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass inhabit the lake and are best caught during early morning or late in the evening. The lake has become a populat ice fishery with anglers catching trout, kokanee, and yellow perch.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Good for ice fishing

Shoreline access: Good - Shore access is from the road along side of the lake and from the WDFW parking lot.

WDFW water access areas on this lake

Patterson Lake

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Okanogan
Acreage: 160.20 ac.
Elevation: 2391 ft.
Center: 48.456386, -120.245597
Open in Google Maps

View larger map

Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: PATTERSON LK (OKAN)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Aug 30, 2024	Rainbow	2,500	2.5	CHELAN HATCHERY
Sep 15, 2023	Rainbow	2,500	2.5	CHELAN HATCHERY
Sep 14, 2023	Tiger Trout	2,500	2.8	CHELAN HATCHERY
Oct 7, 2022	Rainbow	2,500	2.5	CHELAN HATCHERY
Oct 6, 2022	Tiger Trout	2,500	2.5	CHELAN HATCHERY
Nov 3, 2021	Rainbow	1,600	3	CHELAN HATCHERY
Oct 14, 2021	Rainbow	891	2.4	CHELAN HATCHERY
Oct 26, 2020	Rainbow	2,700	3	CHELAN HATCHERY
Oct 26, 2020	Rainbow	1,200	3	CHELAN HATCHERY
Oct 2, 2020	Tiger Trout	1,400	2.5	CHELAN 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.

Kokanee

The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries.

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.

Smallmouth bass

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.

Black crappie

Fishing improves throughout the Spring, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull, while Fall sees an improvement as waters cool, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. During winter, the bite is slower, but anglers can have great success fishing through the ice when conditions are safe.

Bluegill

Bluegill can be caught year-round, but fishing is best in the warm months of Summer. Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking during the spawn in early-Summer. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season in which to catch Bluegill, but persistent anglers can find them in schools of like-sized fish offshore.