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197-acre lake near Manson. The lake tops out around 65 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
On the chart, Wapato Lake draws 197 acres inside 2.5 miles of shoreline. Nearly circular (index 1.3), so the story is the bottom, not the bank. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 12% of this chart. End to end it runs roughly 1.1 mi, about 0.4 mi across. You'll find it in Chelan County. For a second option, Roses Lake lies 1 mi southeast.
Start shallow in spring: kokanee sit in 10 to 30 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 20 to 65 ft, and winter fish settle into 16 to 65 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 65 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in summer. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning. Throw a dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn 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 | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | open water | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 20 to 65 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 70 ft | dawn | Deep basin (65 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (47 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 16 to 65 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (65 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: rainbow trout in 5 to 20 ft. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 30 ft, wintering in 8 to 40 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 47 ft range, prime in winter. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (47 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: bluegill in 1 to 6 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 4 to 15 ft before dropping to 10 to 25 ft for winter. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a feeding flat in about 1 ft of water that rates prime for bluegill in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | midday & dusk | Shallow bay flat (1 ft) | 1/32 oz jig + micro plastic, Tiny popper (evenings) |
| Summer | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | Small sponge spider (fly), Micro tube jig |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 10 to 25 ft | midday | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: brown bullhead in 2 to 8 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 3 to 12 ft before dropping to 10 to 25 ft for winter. The spot to know is Shallow feeding flat, a feeding flat in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for brown bullhead in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & night | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | |
| Summer | 3 to 12 ft | night & dusk | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft | dusk | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | |
| Winter | 10 to 25 ft | midday | open water |
Spring puts crappie in skinny water — 2 to 8 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 10 to 25 ft; cold water stacks them in 15 to 35 ft. Shallow feeding flat is the standout, a feeding flat at roughly 7 ft, rated prime for spring crappie. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | 1/16 oz jig + tube, Curly-tail grub |
| Summer | 10 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | Jig trolled/spider-rigged, Small crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 8 to 20 ft | dawn | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | Jig + minnow combo, Small swimbait (1.5-2") |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday | open water | Tungsten jig + soft plastic, Tiny jigging spoon |
In spring, largemouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 20 ft before dropping to 15 to 35 ft for winter. Spring largemouth bass concentrate at Shallow feeding flat, a prime-rated feeding flat around 7 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow feeding flat (7 ft) | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday | open water | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
Wapato Lake also holds pumpkinseed (2 to 10 ft in summer), yellow perch (10 to 30 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
The chart marks 7 structure features on Wapato Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 65 ft.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2 | Rainbow trout | 31,300 | — |
| May 26 | Rainbow trout | 12,500 | — |
| May 19 | Rainbow trout | 2,100 | — |
| Apr 28 | Rainbow trout | 13,600 | — |
| Apr 27 | Rainbow trout | 47,600 | — |
| Mar 31 | Rainbow trout | 2,000 | — |
| Mar 23 | Rainbow trout | 3,000 | — |
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 Wapato Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Washington fishing regulations →
Wapato Lake is about 65 ft (20 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 kokanee, rainbow trout, bluegill, brown bullhead, crappie, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch on Wapato Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 65 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in summer. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For kokanee, the summer bite is best in early morning. 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, Wapato Lake was most recently stocked Jun 2 with 31,300 rainbow trout. The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Wapato 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.
Roses Lake 1 mi · Alta Lake 13 mi · Lake Chelan 14 mi · Fish Lake 26 mi · Lake Wenatchee 29 mi · Grimes Lake 30 mi · Jameson Lake 30 mi · Methow River 35 mi · Davis Lake 36 mi · Big Twin Lake 37 mi · Patterson Lake 37 mi · Lake Cortez 38 mi
See how Wapato Lake stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in Washington · best crappie lakes in Washington · best bluegill lakes in Washington · best rainbow trout lakes in Washington
More water nearby: Chelan County fishing maps (7 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.