What fish bite in summer in the West?

Trout, Kokanee salmon and Largemouth bass. Too warm up top. Fish deep and cool, or near cold inflows.

Which lake is best for summer fishing in the West?

Crater Lake in Oregon keeps cold, deep water; Lake Tahoe is a good second choice.

Summer fishing in the West: what bites and where

Hot days push fish deep or into shade. Dawn, dusk and the night are the summer bite. Here is how the fish of the West behave in summer, and 10 lakes that suit the season.

What the fish do in summer

Trout: Too warm up top. Fish deep and cool, or near cold inflows.
Kokanee salmon: Deep below the warm top layer. Troll slow and deep.
Largemouth bass: Active early and late. Head to shade, docks and grass in midday.
Lake trout: Deep and cold-water only. Fish well below the warm top layer.
Smallmouth bass: Prime range. Rocky points, humps and drop-offs.

1. Crater Lake, Oregon

At some 13,200 acres, Crater Lake is a big lake. You will find it within an easy drive of Medford (about 55 miles). The fish here are trout and kokanee salmon. It goes down to about 1949 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and among the clearest lakes in the world. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help.

Crater Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Tahoe, California

At 122,000 acres, Lake Tahoe is a huge piece of water. The fish here are lake trout, trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass. At about 1645 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.

Lake Tahoe today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Chelan, Washington

Lake Chelan covers some 33,300 acres. Expect lake trout, kokanee salmon, trout and smallmouth bass. At about 1486 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a steep ledge worth a first look.

Lake Chelan today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho

Lake Pend Oreille spreads over some 93,900 acres. Expect trout, lake trout, kokanee salmon and northern pike. The deepest water is around 1152 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look.

Lake Pend Oreille today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Oroville, California

Lake Oroville spreads over 15,800 acres of water. It holds spotted bass, trout and catfish. At about 690 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start.

Lake Oroville today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake Crescent, Washington

At 5,130 acres, Lake Crescent is a good-sized lake. You will find it about 69 miles east of Shoreline. Expect trout. The deepest water is around 624 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help.

Lake Crescent today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Powell, Utah

Lake Powell spreads over some 161,000 acres. Expect striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and walleye. It goes down to about 583 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Lake Powell today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Tally Lake, Montana

Tally Lake is a natural lake of 1,330 acres. The lake is near Whitefish. The fish here are lake trout, trout and northern pike. It goes down to about 492 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Tally Lake is the deepest lake entirely within Montana.

Tally Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Mead, Nevada

At 158,000 acres of water, Lake Mead is a huge piece of water. The fish here are striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish and crappie. The deepest water is around 532 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

Lake Mead today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Hungry Horse Reservoir, Montana

At 23,600 acres of water, Hungry Horse Reservoir is a big lake. You will find it about 8.1 miles northwest of Columbia Falls. Expect trout. It goes down to about 500 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Hungry Horse Reservoir is impounded by Hungry Horse Dam on the South Fork of the Flathead River.

Hungry Horse Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Reading the water

Before a summer trip, look at three numbers on the lake page: the water temperature, the wind and the bite windows. Together they say where the fish are and when they feed.