
However, in summer, it becomes a hectic hive of parents and kids enjoying the splash pad and racing down the Salmon Creek Trail. In winter, it’s a quiet, tranquil park with hiking and fishing. The pond is accessed through Salmon Creek Regional Park, which changes a lot throughout the year. Although small, it’s a popular family destination with a beach, paved trails, and picnic tables. Klineline Pond is a 12-acre lake, just 7 miles from downtown and easily accessible from I-5. Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Hiking, Biking.Distance from Vancouver: 7 miles (12 min).

And if fishing is your priority, try colder months, when the park is at its quietest. The shore access for fishing isn’t great, though.Īnother drawback to this location is that it gets pretty busy. And in summer, the lake is teeming with bluegill and largemouth bass. WDFW stocks it with rainbow trout, but you can also expect lake, Skamania, and cutthroat varieties. When the water is cold, it’s all about trout here. What’s more, Battle Ground Lake is an excellent fishery. It’s also the perfect place to try it for the first time. The park has rentals, so you don’t need to own a SUP or a kayak. The lake is restricted to motorized boats, making it an excellent place to kayak and paddleboard. Here, you will find a fishing pier, playgrounds, a boat ramp, and miles of hiking and biking trails. Yet, nowadays, it’s a thriving state park with well-kept grounds and plenty of fun things to do. The cool thing about this location is that it’s a crater of a long-extinct volcano. It’s a fantastic spot for swimming, fishing, and paddling and one of the nearest lakes with campgrounds.

Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Hiking.Distance from Vancouver: 15 miles (20 min).Related: 15 Fun Recreational Lakes near Seattle, WA 2. There are no fishing piers, but shore access is excellent. Plus, it has perch, crappie, and some largemouth bass, too. For example, you can take the 2.5-mile paved route to the neighboring park and get a view of the Columbia River.Īnd when it comes to fishing, Vancouver Lake is teeming with common carp. It’s home to multiple clubs, including the well-established Vancouver Lake Sailing Club on the eastern shore.Ī couple of hiking trails allow you to stretch your legs and get daily steps in.

It’s the best place for family and first-time visits.Īlthough not great for boating, the lake is an excellent paddling spot, especially for beginners who will find its shallow water unintimidating.Īlso, Vancouver Lake is the top location for rowing and dinghy sailing. It has plenty of beach space, two volleyball courts, picnic tables, and a swimming area. However, Vancouver Lake Regional Park on the western side is a much more popular place. The lake has a public boat ramp on its southern shore that’s basically just a dirt slope suitable for kayaks, canoes, and small jon boats. Yet, it offers plenty of recreational opportunities and is the nearest place to relax and unwind in nature. It’s a shallow lake with an average depth of just 3 feet. Vancouver Lake is a 2,287-acre body of water on the Columbia River. Activities: Fishing, Swimming, Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Kitesurfing, Windsurfing, Hiking.Distance from Vancouver: 6 miles (12 min).
