Information on Fly-Fishing in Dry Falls, Washington

No water flows over Dry Falls today, but thousands of years ago they carried a torrent of water that would have dwarfed Niagara Falls. The Ice Age floods that tore through the landscape of Washington 15,000 years ago left in their wake a rugged gorge dotted with sparkling lakes, including an 88-acre jewel known as Dry Falls Lake. The lake lies in the shadow of the 400-foot, 3.5-mile-wide cliff known as Dry Falls, and provides some of the best fly-fishing water in the Northwest.

  1. An Abundance of Fish

    • Dry Falls is primarily known as a trout lake, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife stock thousands of rainbow and brown trout in the lake every year. Brown trout are the longer lived species, allowing them to reach a larger size. Brown trout measuring 20 inches are not uncommon, and fish up to 26 inches have been reported. Rainbow trout are far more common, however, and the lake offers up a great abundance of 12- to 15-inch rainbows, with the occasional 20-inch giant. The fishing is excellent from the spring opener right through when the fishing season ends in fall.

    Tips and Tactics

    • For fly fishermen, a wide variety of tactics can be effective on Dry Falls Lake. Insect hatches -- particularly mayflies and damselflies -- occur in abundance on the lake starting in May. Dry flies that imitate local insects can usually draw strikes. Take a look around when you arrive to see what's hatching, and throw the closest imitation you can find. About half of Dry Falls Lake consists of fertile, weedy shallows, and these areas are particularly good for casting dry flies early in the morning and late in the evening. Wet flies and streamers that imitate minnows are also effective, especially for brown trout, which feed on newly-stocked rainbow trout fingerlings and other bait fish. Try casting wet flies around the drop-offs that link the weedy shallows to deeper water.

    Ample Access

    • Dry Falls Lake is located within Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park, which provides boat launch facilities and parking on the south shore. Many anglers fish from pontoon boats, but smaller craft like canoes and kayaks are also useful on the lake. Float tubes in particular are small, lightweight, easily maneuverable and low to the water, which makes them perfect for fly-fishing. Shore access is limited by the towering cliffs that partly surround Dry Falls Lake, but a small section of the shore is accessible near the boat launch, and a few other suitable fishing spots can be reached on foot. The state park also provides access to several nearby fishing lakes, including Park Lake, Mirror Lake and Deep Lake.

    Being Prepared

    • A current Washington freshwater fishing license is required for all anglers over the age of 15. You can purchase a license through the Washington Department of Fish and Game website and at most bait shops and sporting goods stores across the state. Trout season begins on the last Saturday in April and lasts until November 30th at Dry Falls Lake, although season dates may be subject to change. The Washington Department of Fish and Game publishes an annual fishing regulations guide that is available for free through their website and where licenses are sold.