Freshwater Rules - West Side Lakes

Special Rules for West Side Lakes

There are over 7,500 lakes, reservoirs, and ponds (excluding beaver ponds), in Washington State waters unlisted within this site, that are open to fishing for Game Fish (except DOLLY VARDEN/BULL TROUT and GRASS CARP) year-round.

These year-round fishing opportunities are regulated under the Statewide Freshwater Rules as listed in Freshwater Rules with the following exceptions:

• seasonal waters listed under West Side Lake Special Rules and East Side Special Rules
• waters within tribal reservation lands
• waters within national park boundaries (not national forests)
• within boundaries of federal military installations

If a lake is owned by a municipality such as a city or county, they have the authority to implement restrictions such as Electric Motors Only, No Motors Allowed, Night Closure, etc. For more information regarding any of these possible restrictions, you may want to contact the County's Department of Parks & Recreation or Sheriff's office before fishing.