Anyone recommend a lake on the westside of the mountains that I can go for some serious lakers. Almost everything I've read on LT in Washington is in the east. Thanks for the help.

There are not any, that I know of, on the west side of the HUMP.

Carl is Right, there are NONE. Closest is Eight Mile a hike in out of Leavenworth up
the Icicle. This one is chancy. Best Closest Bet: Lake Chelan.

There's some lakes in the Cascades where the game department is using lake trout to control brook trout populations. But you'd have to hike to them.

Hey.. there is one west side lake that's fairly well known that has lake trout. Isabel out of Gold Bar. You'd need to pack in a raft.

There is supposed to be some in Wallace lake or are those "Macks".

"Macks" and lake trout are the same thing.

Easy Limits. Just read my quote at the bottom that should tell you everything about me.

Ah, I see.

There are 4 westside lakes with Macks in them. The closest to seattle is probably Watcom Lake. Another is Bear lake in Cowlitz county.

Isabell and Wallace lakes are pretty small but deep. Do you know if there is a launch on Isabell?

No launch at Isabel as it is quite a hike. No driving to lake at all. Float plane is one of the most common ways in there.

Who can afford to charter a float plane. :p

Lucky asz G/F hooked up with this beauty, 13.7lbs 36" and 4 more over 10 last time out. Just a teaser.

All released of course.

Dave you are cruel indeed. What I would give to hook into one of those. Nice fish buddy! Hey, send me that picture and I'll post it. Secret lake, of course.

A launch on Isabel??? Well, there is one if you trailer your boat on the end of a float plane. Last time I fished Isabel there was a boat on the lake that someone flew in. A set of collapsable oars would be a good thing to have in your pack.

My earlier email said "you'd need to pack in a raft".

30 years ago there were articles on fishing Isabel and Wallace with casting large spoons from the shore. They mentioned double digit sized fish... and that's not inches.

I do know of a person about 5 year ago that packed in a raft, a casting rod, some banana sinkers and a pack of herring. Won't say the results, but let's say it's worth considering.

Some lakes in the Cascades a short driving distance from Seattle have lakers in them to control overabundant brook trout. You might pay attention to people reporting stunted brookies from good sized lakes and "prospect" in them. Might surprise you.

Hey Zen, how long is the hike into Isabell? Size 2 and up panther martins work well from shore. If the hike isn't 10 miles straight up, then i'd like to try it sometime. The double digit comment has surely sparked a serious interest. How steep are the sides of the lake. Depth? Is it river fed?