Lake Lenore - Soap Lake, WA

Lake Lenore in Grant County offers a fly fishing experience unlike any other in Washington. Known for its alkaline water and desert terrain, the lake supports a healthy population of Lahontan cutthroat trout—one of the few places in the state where these unique trout can be caught.

Fishing is allowed March through November, with strict catch-and-release regulations in place to protect this fragile, specialized fishery. The Lahontans here can grow beyond 20 inches and are most active in spring and fall, when water temperatures are ideal and trout feed heavily in the shallows. Summer fishing is more challenging due to heat-driven fish movement to deeper zones.

Fly fishing dominates here, with anglers relying on woolly buggers, chironomids, and leech patterns fished on floating or intermediate lines. Wading or float tubing is almost essential, as there are no formal docks or boat ramps—access is primitive and undeveloped.

The lake is flanked by basalt cliffs and desert scenery, offering both a physical and visual challenge. No bait is allowed, and only barbless hooks are permitted under selective gear rules.

Lake Lenore isn’t designed for casual anglers—it’s a destination for fly anglers seeking solitude and a chance to catch a wild, powerful trout in a surreal desert setting.