You must have a pontoon boat or some means of getting on the lake – no fishing is permitted from shore (if you hike the lake, you are restricted to “stay on the trail” and there are only two access points to the shoreline where boats may land). The usual flies will work, such as buggers, leeches, nymphs or a fly that floats well. Some days nothing works. You ought to bring both floating and deep sinking lines.

Driving Directions: Access off I-5 via SR 504, Exit No.49; go east on
the well maintained state road.
Coldwater Lake is 45 miles from I-5. You will pass Seaquest State Park
at 5.2 miles, Toutle at 11, Kid Valley at 18.3 (last place for gas), Eco
Park at mile-post 24.1, and finally Coldwater at milepost 45.
Or you can go through Toledo until that road makes a T intersection with SR 504.
– Gasoline powered motors are prohibited – it is part of Mount Saint Helens Monument
– Federal pass required (America the Beautiful pass)
– Boat ramp is gravel (Not concrete)
– Can be windy, 5+ mpg most of the day. Winds are usually blowing up the mountain in the morning, and down the mountain in the afternoon

It takes about two hours of driving to get there and I recommend getting there around 9 am particularly if you plan to fish chironomids. Some club members will be arriving between 9 AM and 10 AM at the launch, which is at the SW end of the Lake, which is NE of Spirit Lake Highway/504.
Coldwater Lake is managed as a quality trout fishery. Wild rainbow and cutthroat are in the lake. Access is limited. Contact National Volcanic Monument Headquarters at 360-449-7800 for more information.