About this Location

Facility Overview

Fish Lake #6 Public Access is a dedicated outdoor recreation and water-access parking facility located on the eastern banks of Fish Lake in Okanogan County, Washington (near Riverside and Conconully). Primarily managed to support public outdoor recreation and sports fishing under the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) public lands network, this open-air, unpaved gravel lot provides direct shoreline access and staging space for watercraft trailers and recreational vehicles. Because it is an unroofed surface lot with no overhead height barriers, it easily accommodates high-clearance pickups, SUVs, boat trailers, rooftop kayak carriers, camper vans, and standard passenger cars. Turning radiuses are designed to accommodate vehicle-trailer combinations, though drivers of extra-long setups should maneuver cautiously during busy spring and summer fishing weekends.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Set against the rugged rolling shrub-steppe hills of Okanogan County, this access point serves as a key gateway to premier freshwater recreation. Surrounding points of interest include:

Fish Lake Waters & Shoreline: Located steps from the vehicle parking stalls, Fish Lake is renowned for excellent year-round angling, particularly for rainbow trout, brook trout, and warm-water species, as well as paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing.
Sinlahekin Wildlife Area: Situated just a short drive to the west and north, Washington State\'s oldest wildlife area spans over 14,000 acres, offering prime birdwatching, mule deer spotting, hiking, and primitive exploration.
Conconully State Park & Town Center: Located approximately 10 to 12 miles southwest, the rustic historic mining town of Conconully features dining taverns, general stores, and reservoirs popular for watersports and winter snowmobiling.
Riverside & Okanogan River Corridor: A roughly 10-mile drive east to US Route 97 brings travelers to the towns of Riverside and Omak, hosting local diners, tackle shops, fuel, and cultural attractions like the Omak Stampede arena.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The access area is reached via unpaved rural secondary routes branching off South Fish Lake Road and connecting corridors between Loomis-Oroville Road and Pine Creek Road. Roads leading directly to the site can be dusty in midsummer and rutted or snow-covered during late autumn and winter, making all-wheel-drive or high-clearance capability beneficial during inclement weather. There is no scheduled municipal public transit directly serving Fish Lake; private vehicle transport is required. The location connects within 15 to 20 minutes to US Highway 97, facilitating straightforward travel north toward Tonasket and the Canadian border or south toward Omak, Okanogan, and Wenatchee.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Unpaved gravel and compacted earth apron offering pull-through and back-in spaces.
Trailer-Friendly Layout: Accommodates extended sport-utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and towed boat trailers.
Direct Water Access: Provides unimpeded access for hand-launching non-motorized craft (kayaks, canoes, float tubes) and shoreline fishing.
Open Headroom: No vertical height restrictions, allowing tall campers, vehicle gear racks, and mounted rod vaults.
Permit Requirements: As a state public recreation parcel, visitors generally require a valid Washington State Discover Pass or WDFW Vehicle Access Pass visibly displayed on the windshield.

Ideal For

Anglers & Sportsmen: Convenient parking for dawn-to-dusk fishing excursions targeting local trout species and seasonal ice fishing.
Paddlers & Kayakers: Easy shoreline drop-off for canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and packrafts.
Outdoor Enthusiasts & Birders: Nature watchers exploring the migratory flyways and arid foothills of North Central Washington.
Day Trippers: Drivers seeking a quiet, scenic waterside rest stop or lunch spot off the beaten track.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Cellular coverage can be spotty in the basin around Fish Lake; drivers are advised to download offline navigation maps prior to leaving highway corridors. Be sure to purchase and print or display your Washington State Discover Pass or WDFW Vehicle Access Pass prior to arrival, as on-site automated fee kiosks are not available. Practice Leave No Trace ethics by packing out all personal trash, fish-cleaning remnants, and equipment, and exercise caution along the shoreline during late winter freeze-thaw cycles.