Fishing can be quite enjoyable, but kids often have shorter attention spans. It may help to combine a fishing trip with a playground — either fishing first with the promise of a playground afterward or getting the wiggles out before settling into fishing. Visit 10 of the best places to fish around Seattle and head to the park afterward.
Kids younger than 15 don’t need a fishing license throughout the regular season. However, anglers of all ages (kids and adults) who fish for salmon, halibut, sturgeon, steelhead, or Dungeness crab must have a catch record card while fishing. You can read more about fishing licenses here. Another essential thing to read about is the Washington State Department of Health advisories for Lake Washington fish consumption; learn more here.
Species note: Lake Washington is home to dozens of species, primarily coastal cutthroat trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and black crappie. The smaller lakes are stocked with rainbow trout, plus a few resident species.
North End
Martha Lake Park (Lynnwood)
- Shoreline access: Public piers, the boat ramp
- Species: Rainbow trout (stocked), largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead
- Season: April through October
- Address: 16300 E. Shore Drive, Lynnwood, WA 98036
This 6-acre park offers room to roam, with two playgrounds, multiple fishing piers, and a small beach. There is a pirate ship playground and a pier next to the parking lot. Head west along the paved trail to reach more piers, the beach, and the second playground. Two-pole fishing is allowed.
Martha Lake Park. (Image: Anne Renz)
Lake Tye Park (Monroe)
- Shoreline access: From the shore
- Species: Triploid rainbow trout (stocked), largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullhead
- Season: Year-round
- Address: 14964 Fryelands Blvd, Monroe, WA 98272
This is a lovely park for a family fun day and a great place to go fishing around the Seattle area. You can fish from the shore and play on the sandy beach. The playground is steps away, with a unique circular swing set and lots of fun play structures. The paved, level 1.6-mile loop around the lake is great for walking or biking. Round out the fun with the skate park, baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, and picnic shelters.
Lake Tye Park (Image: Anne Renz)
Log Boom Park (Kenmore)
- Shoreline access: 1,200 lineal feet of shoreline; public pier, max depth 8′
- Species: See Lake Washington species note, above
- Season: Year-round
- Address: 17415 61st Ave NE, Kenmore, WA 98028
The park packs a lot of activities into a small 4-acre space! The playground is located halfway between the pier and the small beach. Even if you’re not fishing, the long pier is a nice spot to view seaplanes or the sunset. In summer, WhatsSup rents paddleboards. The Burke-Gilman trail runs next to the park—watch for fast-moving bicycles, or go for a ride yourself!
Log Boom Park. (Image: Anne Renz)
Seattle
Madison Park Beach (Seattle)
- Shoreline access: Public pier, max depth 9′
- Species: See Lake Washington species note, above
- Season: Year-round
- Address: 1900 43rd Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
With a long, narrow strip of beach, Madison Park has room to spread out. The beach transitions from small rocks on the north end (near the fishing pier) to sandy. Head uphill to reach the playground. Kids can enjoy playing “floor is lava” on the bigger play structure, which is made of ropes and poles. The park also has toddler-size equipment, swings, a small zipline, stone animal sculptures, and a tennis court. There are several restaurants, a grocery store, and a coffee shop nearby.
Madison Park. (Image: Anne Renz)
Seward Park (Seattle)
- Shoreline access: Public pier (search for “Reverend UG Murphy Pier“), max depth 10′
- Species: See Lake Washington species note, above
- Season: Year-round
- Address: 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118
At 300 acres, there is plenty to explore at Seward Park! The fishing pier is on the northwest side of the park and the playground is on the southwest side, about 1 mile apart. You can stroll or roll between the two spots on the perimeter loop, which is a paved path around the outside of the park. There are also several hiking trails through old-growth forests, a swimming beach, tennis courts, picnic shelters, a clay studio, and an environmental center.
Seward Park on Lake Washington. (Image: Anne Renz)
Eastside
Cottage Lake Park (Woodinville)
- Shoreline access: Public pier
- Species: Rainbow trout (stocked), coastal cutthroat trout, perch, crappie, bullhead
- Season: Last Saturday of April through October
- Address: 18831 NE Woodinville-Duvall Rd, Woodinville, WA 98072
This pleasant park has lovely lake views from the fishing pier or the boardwalk. Take a stroll on the paved paths or play basketball on the multi-use court. The playground has several low ropes obstacles to climb. It’s a nice complement to the high ropes course adjacent to the playground, which is operated by the Northshore YMCA.
Cottage Lake Park. (Image: Anne Renz)
Juanita Beach Park (Kirkland)
- Shoreline access: Public pier, max depth 7′
- Species: See Lake Washington species note, above
- Season: Year-round
- Address: 9703 Juanita Dr NE, Kirkland, WA 98034
This popular park is a great spot to visit. With an inclusive playground, protected swimming area, and extended pier, this popular park is a great spot to visit. The playground was remodeled in 2020 with a fun mix of all-abilities play equipment and synthetic turf. The sandy beach and swimming area are lifeguarded from July through Labor Day. The U-shaped pier, about 1/4 mile long, is nice for fishing or a stroll over the water. Across the street, younger kids can climb into a tree stump turned fairy house!
Juanita Beach Park. (Image: Anne Renz)
Luther Burbank Park (Mercer Island)
- Shoreline access: Public pier, max depth 20′
- Species: See Lake Washington species note, above
- Season: Year-round
- Address: 2040 84th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
This park has a bit of everything! On the north side of the parking lot, follow the gravel path past the amphitheater to a short boardwalk and lake access with a pebbly beach. Then follow the paved path back to find an abandoned dairy barn foundation — perfect for hide-and-seek/tag. You’ll also pass an off-leash dog park with lake access on your way back to the playground with newer play structures. There are tennis courts next to the playground, and the fishing piers are just down the hill.
Luther Burbank. (Image: Anne Renz)
South End
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park (Renton)
- Shoreline access: Public pier, max depth 30′
- Species: See Lake Washington species note, above
- Season: Year-round
- Address: 1201 Lake Washington Blvd N, Renton, WA 98056
With so much to do, it’s hard to know where to start! The long U-shaped fishing pier ends next to the two-story pavilion, an excellent spot for lunch (Ivar’s, Kidd Valley, or bring your own snacks). Walk past the boat launch to reach the sandy swimming beach. The playground is bigger than most, with some inclusive features and lots to climb. Check out the sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, and horseshoe pits for more fun.
Gene Coulon Park (Image courtesy City of Renton)
Lake Wilderness Park (Maple Valley)
- Shoreline access: Fishing pier; bank access on the northwest shore
- Species: Rainbow trout (stocked), kokanee, largemouth bass
- Season: 4th Saturday of April through October
- Address: 22500 SE 248th St, Maple Valley, WA 98038
Fish from the pier, play on the sandy beach, or swim in the lake! Follow the paved path to the playground, with a fun mix of equipment including a rope carousel. There are also baseball fields, tennis courts, and picnic shelters. You could also check out the adjacent Lake Wilderness Arboretum and Gaffney’s Grove Disc Golf Course — both free admission. Bring a picnic lunch and you could easily spend a day here!
