Waptus Lake

General data

Name: Waptus Lake
Water system: Columbia River
Water type: Natural lake
Progression: Waptus River -> Cle Elum River -> Yakima River -> Lake Wallula -> Columbia River -> Columbia River Estuary -> Pacific Ocean -> Planet Earth
Climates: Mountain
Continents: North America
Countries: United States of America

Waptus Lake is an alpine freshwater lake located on the southern stretch of the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest in Kittitas County, Washington. Because of its proximity to Cooper Lake and the Pacific Crest Trail, Waptus Lake is a popular area for hiking, camping and fishing. Waptus Lake is surrounded by trails that lead to other Alpine lakes in the vicinity, including the Pete Lake and Spectacle Lake at the base of Chikamin Peak. Ecology Waptus Lake is one of the largest lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, located in a prominent valley along the southwestern skirt of the Mount Daniel area in connection with the Chikamin-Keechelus mountain grouping area.

The lake stretches from northwest to southeast, approximately 1 mile in length and 0.2 miles wide. Waptus River is one of the tributaries of the Cle Elum River.

While mining in the area surrounding Cooper Lake and damming of the Cle Elum River impacted the quality of the salmon habitat, salmon spawning has been prominent on Cle Elum River since the late 2000s.

The Waptus Lake and River watershed supports dolly varden trout, bull and rainbow trout, westslope cutthroat trout, and eastern brook trout.

Waptus Lake

General data

Tag Your Catch and Win a Twin Power!

Post your catch and get a chance to win the Shimano Twin Power XD 4000 PG!

Catch more fish. Discover where and how →

Tag Your Catch and
Win a Twin Power!

Catch more fish.
Discover where and how →