Host - Nick Sherman 

This float tube outing to Lenice Lake (Sunday, April 19) follows the Sunday morning conclusion of the Yakima Upper Canyon outing on 4/17-19 (Friday to Sunday) and precedes the outing to Dusty Lake on the following day, Monday, April 20.  Each is available individually or as part of a combined trip with one of the other two (each will require separate registration).  Lenice is a little over an hour east of the Upper Yakima outing, so it makes a nice add-on.  Or it is a 2-½ hour drive from Seattle.

Lenice Lake is a fairly short walk-in of a quarter mile with a 35’ descent. There is no shoreline fishing.  Most anglers carry float tubes with shoulder straps or pack them in and inflate at the lake.  A pontoon boat or kayak would be possible if you have wheels (the trail from the lot to the lake is sandy).  Club members could help carry a light kayak. 

Lenice Lake is a fairly small water located north of Mattawa. This lake is very productive and supports medium- to large-sized trout, although if it has been stocked, there may be smaller trout in there.  Lenice is very popular with fly fishers.  On average, Lenice Lake has been among the better-quality waters in District 5 (Grant and Adams Counties). At certain times of the year, Lenice Lake can see very high angler effort. Several fly fishing clubs from across the state hold annual outings at Lenice Lake. Per WDFW: Selective Gear Rules are in effect. Very few areas of shoreline fishing are effective.  Last stocked in 2025, but this lake supports holdovers that grow well.

I have had success trolling a leech, micro-leech, or wooly bugger (olive, red, or brown) with a full sinking line. I have cast the same rig to rising trout, which is a lot of fun. I have not used a floating line, but that would probably work well, too. This trip is earlier in the season than I have done before, but I know the fish are there. I caught 20 to 40 fish in the 15” range on three trips last September.

There is an outhouse at the Lenice parking lot, but not at the lake. There is no water or anything else. Suffice it to say, Lenice is in the middle of nowhere. Don’t be discouraged by the desolate parking lot - Lenice is a pretty lake set against a basalt ridge.

A Discover Pass or WDFW Parking permit (comes with your fishing license) is required.

What to Bring:

• The club is not providing food or refreshments.  Eat before you come or bring your meal.

• Water:  Bring water with you to the lake from the parking lot.  You won’t want to stop fishing to go back to the car.
• Washington State fishing license
• Float tube with waders or other backpackable flotation (raft, pontoon boat, kayak).  Don’t forget your air pump for inflating, your fins, and your waders.  [There are a lot of waterfowl, so waders are needed to protect against swimmer's itch.]
• A PFD is always recommended for wading or riding in boats
• 4-6 weight rods with sinking or sink tip line.  You may also use floating, although I have not.  I’ve seen people fishing Chironomids, but I have not.
•  3x tippet will let you cast into weeds without breaking off.  The fish are not leader shy.
•  Net (practice good catch and release methods - keep the fish wet)
•  Rain gear just in case, although this is the desert.
• Warm layer - this is early in the season and the wind can blow here.
• Sunglasses and hat
• Camera

Getting There (from Puget Sound) 

• Put Lenice Lake Public Access into your GPS.  Note that cell service will die when you get close. [also do this if starting from other locations]
• East on I-90
• Exit 137 for WA-26E toward Othello/Pullman
• Right onto WA-243 S
• Left onto Lower Crab Creek Rd SW
• 4.9 miles to Lenice Lake Public Access

(Participants choosing to go to the outing at Dusty the next day can join other Club members who are booking their own rooms at a nearby hotel (not 4-star) to be identified by the Host or camp at a location near either lake.)