Kittitas County is home to Ellensburg, Cle Elum, Vantage and some of the very best fishing in Central Washington. From trout-filled alpine lakes to the mighty Columbia River, anglers of all skill levels will find incredible opportunities here.
This area includes the upper Yakima River — one of the premier rainbow trout fly-fishing rivers in the entire West. But beyond the famous Yakima, you’ll also find kokanee, bass, walleye, and more in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs throughout the region.
For guests staying at our vacation rental in Vantage, these fishing destinations are just a short drive away — making it easy to spend your mornings on the water and your evenings relaxing with stunning views of the Columbia Gorge.
Top Fishing Spots in Kittitas County
Cle Elum Lake
A large reservoir known for kokanee and lake trout (mackinaw), Cle Elum also holds rainbow, cutthroat, and burbot. Late spring to early summer is best, before drawdowns lower the water.
Cle Elum River
Flowing both above and below Cle Elum Lake, this river is a great spot for catch-and-release trout fishing, along with whitefish in the winter months.
Columbia River
The Columbia forms Kittitas County’s eastern border and offers a wide variety of fishing. Depending on the season, you might target salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, walleye, or smallmouth bass. Guests at our Vantage vacation rental especially love this spot, since it’s only minutes from the house and offers year-round opportunities.
Cooper Lake & Cooper River
Stocked with rainbow trout each spring, Cooper Lake is a beautiful high-elevation spot where motors are prohibited. The Cooper River adds more trout fishing for those who don’t mind hiking.
Easton Ponds
Easily accessible and family-friendly, these ponds are heavily stocked each spring with thousands of rainbow trout, including jumbo-sized plants.
FioRito Lakes
North FioRito Lake is stocked with rainbow trout in spring, while both lakes also provide warmwater fishing for crappie, bass, and perch.
Kachess Lake
A top kokanee destination with hundreds of thousands of fingerlings stocked annually. Cutthroat trout are also common, and burbot lurk in the depths.
Keechelus Lake
Visible from I-90, this reservoir is best known for kokanee but also produces trout and burbot. Bank fishing is plentiful, though boats often do better.
Lavender Lake
A smaller, family-friendly lake that’s stocked with thousands of rainbow trout each year. Great for beginners.
Mattoon Lake
Near Ellensburg, this lake is loaded with rainbow trout in the spring and often gets bonus broodstock plants of jumbo fish in the fall.
McCabe Pond
Located south of Ellensburg, this 7-acre pond is stocked with rainbow trout and also has sunfish and the occasional channel catfish.
Naneum Pond
Reserved for youth, seniors, and anglers with disabilities, this pond offers a steady springtime rainbow trout fishery.
Teanaway River
A beautiful mountain stream with rainbow and cutthroat trout. The upper stretches are especially scenic and rewarding.
Tucquala Lake
A wild fishery where anglers can keep native rainbows (limit two) and brook trout. Accessible north of Cle Elum Lake.
Woodhouse Pond
A chain of ponds near Ellensburg with early spring rainbow trout fishing, then warmwater species like bass and perch through summer.
Yakima River
Perhaps the crown jewel of Central Washington trout streams, the Yakima is a fly-fishing paradise managed for trophy rainbows. With dozens of miles of fishable water, it’s one of the top destinations in the West.
Staying Near the Columbia Gorge
Our vacation rental home in Vantage makes the perfect basecamp for your Central Washington fishing adventure. Located minutes from the Columbia River, you’ll be within an easy drive of Ellensburg, Cle Elum, and all the lakes and streams listed above.
After a full day on the water, come back to unwind on the deck overlooking the Gorge, cook up your fresh catch, and enjoy everything this unique area has to offer.
Whether you’re here for serious fly fishing on the Yakima, chasing kokanee in the mountain lakes, or exploring the Columbia River for bass and walleye, you’ll find world-class waters all around.