If you are going to launch a boat from the Lake Wenatchee State Park please read the following so you have the correct permits:
Sockeye season has been confirmed, to begin Saturday August 4th. Some items for fishermen accessing the lake from Lake Wenatchee State Park to be aware of:
· Parking and launch passes must be displayed on the vehicle. You will need: 1) an Annual Boat Launch Pass, or 2) An Annual Discover Pass and a one-day launch permit, or 3) a one-day parking pass and a one-day launch permit. One-day parking passes ($10) and launch permits ($7) are available by self-registration at the boat launch. If you have no annual passes, launching and parking will cost $17 – please bring cash or check for that amount. Campers in this park do not pay, but must display their camp receipt or confirmation letter.
· Take a close look at that parking/launch pass you are hoping to use. Parking permits issued when you purchase a fishing or hunting license are not valid in state parks. It must say “Discover Pass” / valid on all state lands.
· Please look for signing regarding parking your boat and trailer. We try really hard to park everyone as efficiently as possible to help assure there is room for everyone. In the upper parking area, boats and trailers may remain connected while parallel-parked on the left hand side. All trucks/trailers must disconnect and back-in angle park on the right hand side of this parking area.
· For those coming early, please be considerate of those sleeping in the campground and the residence by the boat launch. Quiet please! The sound of voices, engines, and slamming car doors travel a long way here.
Park staff will be out there on the busiest mornings around 4 a.m. to help avoid traffic jams, keep the parking tight, and speed up the parking/launch fee process. Please be patient, we’ll do the best we can to get you on the water quickly! If you have more questions about the park (not fishing questions!) see the State Park page on lakewenatcheeinfo.com or call us at 509 763-3101.
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I’m hearing a lot about folks who are reluctant to come up due to potential parking limits at the state park. This year, apparently due to the abundance of salmon fishing along the Columbia, use has been very light at the park. Saturday morning opening day we had 41 truck/trailers (less than 1/2 capacity). No line-up of more than two rigs that I saw!
Over the years we have rarely filled the park to capacity during Sockeye season. . . and occasionally there have been rushes resulting in significant time in line. But these are the exceptional times everyone remembers, kind of like those occasional epic mosquito hatches that become stuff of camper legend. Plenty of room, lots of fish. Come on up!
–Rick Halstead, Park Manager
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