There is no better time to visit Lake Chelan for fishing than right now. The kokanee are in the lower basin of the lake in very good numbers, and they are running up to 14 ½ inches this season. It’s a fishing party off Lakeside Park most every day now, and anglers are having a blast. Also being taken again in very good numbers are Chinook or king salmon on the lake. I gave it a try the other day and had a nice 7-pounder in the boat after only about forty minutes. This was in the middle of day, and anglers who fish early are having very good success. Chinook to 12 pounds have not been uncommon on Lake Chelan this year. The smallmouth bass bite is just now taking off on the lake, too. Fish are finally moving onto their beds in the lower lake and this is when the really big fish of year will be taken. Smallmouth of 4 and pounds are easy targets when they are guarding their beds this time of year. Lake trout fishing is good year-round and some of best eaters are taken now as they feast on the kokanee and mysis shrimp that are in heavy bloom.