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15-acre lake near Seattle. The lake tops out around 31 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
On the chart, Bitter Lake draws 15 acres inside 0.7 miles of shoreline. At index 1.3 the outline is almost a bowl — read the depth changes, not the shoreline. About 44% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 0.3 mi of water from one end to the other. The water lies in King County. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Green Lake, 3 mi south of here.
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 30 ft before dropping to 6 to 31 ft for winter. Winter rainbow trout concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 23 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon most summer days.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (23 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 9 to 31 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 6 to 31 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (23 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Spring puts brown bullhead in skinny water — 2 to 8 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 3 to 12 ft, wintering in 10 to 25 ft. Spring brown bullhead concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a prime-rated weed flat around 3 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & night | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | |
| Summer | 3 to 12 ft | night & dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft | dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | |
| Winter | 10 to 25 ft | midday | Deep basin (29 ft) |
Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 9 to 31 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. Throw a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait until the fish tell you otherwise.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 9 to 31 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday | Break off the point (23 ft) | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
5 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 29 ft, is the deepest of them.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27 | Rainbow trout | 1,400 | — |
Source: WDFW fish-stocking reports, retrieved 2026-09-23.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Washington waters are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — and special regulations can apply to Bitter Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Washington fishing regulations →
Bitter Lake is about 31 ft (9 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target rainbow trout, brown bullhead, largemouth bass on Bitter Lake.
Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per WDFW fish-stocking reports records, Bitter Lake was most recently stocked Apr 27 with 1,400 rainbow trout. The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Bitter Lake is regulated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Check the official Washington regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Green Lake 3 mi · Shilshole Bay 5 mi · Inner Elliott Bay 8 mi · Browns Bay 8 mi · Lake Washington 8 mi · Martha Lake 10 mi · Lake Serene 10 mi · Eagle Harbor 11 mi · Stickney Lake 11 mi · Blakely Harbor 12 mi · Crystal Lake 12 mi · Port Gamble Bay 13 mi
See how Bitter Lake stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in Washington · best rainbow trout lakes in Washington
More water nearby: King County fishing maps (18 charts). Browse all Washington fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.