Anyone know if catfish are present in Lake Union? Also, what is the best way to catch crappie in Lake Union?

I would NOT EVER eat any fish from Lake Union.

Just my two cents.

The crappie should be spawning soon. Maybe another week tops and they'll be in the shallows. Two weeks ago they were suspended over rock piles just outside the spawning grounds so they're waiting for the water temps to hit 60 before moving up. An all white crappie jig 2-3' under float is the ticket. There's plenty wood cover all around the lake that holds them. Look for old pilings in the north end. The night bite is always better then fishing during the day.

The bass have been up shallow for almost a month now:


I'd stay away from the bottom feeders as well. The lake gets a lot of storm water run off in the spring. The bass and crappie should be fine but I wouldn't mess with the perch or cats myself. Check around the mouth of the slough up north for cats to 12lbs. Cut perch, leeches, or worms work best.

Thanks for the info. Yea, I've been told not to eat any fish from the lake. I heard the bass dont taste that well. That true? Also, what are some other good lakes around the seattle area?
Huskies

The smaller bass taste fine to me lol . I release the big guys though so I wouldn't know how they taste. Most of the bass come into Union from Lake Washington only to spawn then head back to L. Washington during the summer when most of Union is too salty for them.

Lake Washington is good for cats, crappie, bass, trout, perch, etc. Blueberry is good for crappie (caught a 14" crappie there last week) and bass. Phantom Lake is good as well. All of the smaller lakes around Federal Way hold bass, crappie and bluegill. Green Lake can also be good for channel cats later in June.

SlabKing, you are a fishing machine.

It's a sickness......really

Slab, I'm going to take you fishing with me.

You could teach me a few things about Bass fishing.