What are some good high mountain lakes or rivers for fishing in the Cascades or Olympics, or somewhere else in the area? I'm planning a backpacking trip this weekend, and want to avoid going to a lake or river with no fish.

Harts lake on oly pen..been along time but it's in the middle of nooowhere, quinalt river to the west fork of the dose...great hike, big stars...might have to plan this one again...thanks for bringin back memories.....

I don't know if I'd take the chance of leaving my vehicle parked at the trail head. Chances are good that something will happen to it! Pretty sad signs of the times.

Seven Lakes Basin, ONP.

Thanks for the responses. Ichtyoid, which of the lakes in the Seven Lakes basin do you fish? We went there last summer, and the lakes by the camping spots weren't that great. I saw a promising lake cut almost in half by a rocky peninsula while looking down from the top of the ridge, but didn't have time to hike down to it.

Also, I just started fly-fishing, and I was wondering if it's worth it to bring the new gear, or should I just stick to spin-casting in the backcountry? Thanks again.

Charr, we've been backpacking a ton over the last 8 years, and we haven't had any problems. Maybe your car is nicer than ours, or the vandals/thieves are more thick in your neck of the woods.

People who find high alpine lakes that are good fishing are about as likely to tell you about them as someone who as a good small water salmon river. I have seen that question asked on hiking forums and they get nothing

Yeah, I was afraid of that. I've found a few good lakes already, and I didn't feel comfortable sharing them on this board. If anyone wants to, you can email me and we'll trade lake names.

Email is crlong@seas.upenn.edu

If it was me - I'd go to Lake Chelan and take the ferry to Prince Creek. I was tehre abotu 5 years ago in July or August and had some of the best fly fishing I ever experienced. We hiked about 4 miles up to camp the first night (8% grade, 4 miles was a good workout). I fished the stream up there with bead heads - the eddy behind every rock would yeild about four 8-12" trout- I think they were golden's didn't look like anything I was familiar with and I've caught lots of bows, brookies and cutts. After C&R'ing about 60, I kept a couple for dinner. Same gig for breakfast.

Then in the afternoon, I hiked back down and fished the base near the lake. Casting across the stream as far as I could (it's pretty wide there - 90' or so) and then let the water pull the bead head out and down into the dip where the stream enters the lake. I caught about 15 fish all over 2 lbs. there, including many 3 and 4 lb cutts and bows. I know this will sound like a lie, but I literally had a hard time getting a fish small enough for two guys to eat for dinner. Eventually, I retained one fat 15" bow that was probably 1.5-2lbs. Absolutely the best two days with the bug rod in my life.

I do a good amount of high alpine lake fishing every summer. My absolute favorite will remain a secret only because it is small and shallow, and could not stand much pressure.

Some suggestions though are:

- Boulder Lake on the Oly Pen past Olympic Hot Springs. Fair amount of pressure but nice 10"-12" fish.

- Colchuck in the Enchantments. Great fishing but you'll need a hard to get permit to overnight there. Day trips are ok.

- Doubtful Lake in the North Cascades via Cascade Pass.

Twin Lakes.....but it's 8 miles to get in. Nice place to go for a long weekend. As with many other high mountain lakes it wouldn't be able to stand up to the pressure if it were fished hard.