Catch all the thrills of boating, jet skiing, tubing, skiing or boarding, as you navigate through the pristine waters of Lake Chelan and other smaller Manson lakes. Whether you want to hold on tight and enjoy the ride or just jump in, there's a perfect place for everyone to get wet in Manson.
For a sightseeing like no other, boat through Manson and the Lake Chelan valley to experience the Cascade Mountain Range from the water. Stunning views include waterfalls, creeks, snow-capped peaks and lots of wildlife so don't forget your camera.
Lakes
Manson is located on the shores of beautiful Lake Chelan where you will enjoy just over 50 miles of pristine boating waters. Additionally, Manson is host to four smaller, secluded lakes that are all perfect for your favorite water play! Plus, we're only a short drive to the grand Columbia River, where you will find yet another great boating adventure. Below you will find information on boat launches, moorage, marine services and more. Click icon to see a map of Manson Lakes:
Public Boat Launches and Moorage
Old Mill Park and Boat Launch (Lake Chelan)
Just east of downtown Manson, this 20-acre recreation facility offers a large parking lot for boat trailers and a pump-out station. Also, enjoy an afternoon picnic and scenic views. On Lake Chelan.
Location: on Lake Chelan, East of Downtown Manson, WA, on Highway 150 Contact: (509) 687-9635
Manson Bay Marina (Lake Chelan)
32-slip marina with water and electricity available. A floating breakwater makes an excellent wave barrier for moored boats. Walk from your boat to downtown Manson in just a few steps to restaurants, shops, grocery stores, post office, and Manson Bay Park.
Launch: Only used during winter months when low water periods occur.
Location: on Lake Chelan, Downtown Manson, WA
Wapato Lake Boat Launch (Wapato Lake, Manson)
Wapato Lake covers 216 surface acres and has a maximum depth of 68 feet. This lake has a little something for most all anglers. Fish species include large mouth bass, crappie, bluegill and real nice sized rainbow trout. Wapato Lake is host to two campgrounds, and has two boat launches, one at each end of the lake.
Roses Lake Boat Launch (Roses Lake, Manson)
Roses Lake is a small and quiet lake nestled in the hills of Manson. The lake provides scenic views of the valley's majestic mountains. Roses Lake features great crappie, trout, catfish and large mouth bass fishing. Bring your boat and enjoy the intimate atmosphere of this little gem of a lake. Also a popular spot for ice fishing in the winter.
Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park (Lake Chelan)
A 235-acre inland waters camping park on the forested south shore of Lake Chelan. The park separates the mountains from the lake and is surrounded by spectacular scenery. With its modern marina, the park affords visitors excellent boating access to the upper reaches of Lake Chelan.
Two boat ramps are available. Due to low water levels, the launch is generally usable from mid-June to the end of December. There is a modern marina with moorage for 20 boats up to 23 feet long. Moorage slips can be reserved for the summer season. To reserve, call (888) CAMPOUT OR (888) 226-7688.
Moorage fees are charged year round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 pm to 8 am. Moorage permits are available at parks offering moorage. The park also sells the Lake Chelan Federal Dock Site Permit, required for use of federal docks along the lake between May 1 and Oct. 31.
Lake Chelan State Park (Lake Chelan)
Lake Chelan State Park is a 127-acre camping park on the forested south shore of Lake Chelan. The park has 6,000 feet of shoreline, lakeside views and expansive lawns for strolling and playing. The park gets an annual average rainfall of 11 inches. Summer tends to be hot and dry. Annual average snowfall is 42 inches. In the winter the watercraft launch is open weekends and holidays only, depending on water level.
The park has one single-lane launch with a nearby 28-car parking lot that fills rapidly on weekends. The park offers 495 feet of dock, some of it near the launch and some of it at the opposite end of the park near lakeside camping.
A daily watercraft launching permit and a trailer dumping permit is available at the park. Fees are charged year-round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 pm to 8 am.
Marine Services
Fuel
Fuel is accessible at several locations on Lake Chelan. Year-round fuel is available within walking distance of Manson Bay Marina and well as in Stehekin. Other fuel facilities include: Lakeshore Marina, Lake Chelan Marina, Ship n' Shore, Watson's Resort, Kelly's Resort and Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park.
Gas, Oil and Chemicals: Gas, oil and other chemicals pollute drinking water and are extremely toxic to aquatic life and birds. One quart of oil spilled into the lake can create an unsightly and dangerous two-acre oil slick. Remember:
When fueling your boat, do not overfill, and try not to spill any fuel.
After changing engine oil, wipe spills and do not pump oily bilge water into the lake.
Collect used oil and take it to a waste oil recycling center.
Do not wash your boat in the lake. Pull it ashore and make sure that detergents and other chemicals do not get rinsed into the lake.
Paints, lacquers, antifreeze, thinners, wood preservatives and other chemicals used by boaters should never reach the lake.
Keep your engine tuned properly. This will save y ou money and reduce the discharge of unburnt fuel into the lake.
For more information, call the Waste Disposal Hotline: (509) 682-4663
Pump-out Stations
Pump-out stations are accessible at the following locations on Lake Chelan: Year-round pumpout is avaiable at Manson Bay Marina and in Stehekin. Seasonal pump-out stations include Old Mill Park and Lakeshore Marina.
Sewage: Do not flush sewage into the water we all drink. Lake Chelan is the sole source of drinking water for thousands of people. Many people drink untreated water directly from the lake. Sewage also contains phosphorus and nitrogen that promote the growth of nuisance algae and decrease water clarity. Here are some things you can do to keep sewage out of the lake:
Pumpout stations now exist at four locations on the lake (see above).
Bring a port-a-potty on your boat and dump it at all the pumput stations.
Use toilets at campgrounds spaced along both shores of the lake.
Seal or lock your holding tank so that it cannot be emptied into the lake by mistake.
Graywater from sinks and showers contain bacteria, phosphorus and other substances harmful to the lake and should be disposed of at pumpout stations.
Helpful Reminders
Water Quality: The clear, clean water of Lake Chelan makes it one of the outstanding lakes in the country. As more and more people use the lake for boating, fishing and swimming, it becomes increasingly important that we all work together to prevent water pollution. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the lake and keep it clean.
Trash: Do not throw trash overboard. Not only is trash unsightly, it can be harmful to fish and wildlife.
Carry trash container on your boat and dump it into a garbage can on shore.
Recycle cans, bottles and paper.
Never throw excess fishing line or fishing tackle in the water.
Make it boat policy that nothing goes overboard. If you brought it, take it back!
Milfoil: Eurasian milfoil, a non-native water weed, has invaded Lake Chelan. This agressive weed has no natural enemies and is very difficult to control. Milfoil plants easly break into small pieces, each of which can form roots and start a new plant. Milfoil fragments become attached to boats and trailers and are spread to new locations. Milfoil has a feathery appearance with each leaf having 12 or more pairs of leaflets.
Millfoil grows rapidly and forms dense mats that restrict swimming, boating and fishing. Milfoil can also clog irrigation intake pipes and destroy fish habitat.
Helpy by removing all weeds from your boat and trailer before entering and leaving Lake Chelan or other surrounding lakes. Do not throw any weeds back into the water. Dispose of them in the garbage or on a compost pile.
Information provided by Keep it Blue. Call (509) 661-4320 for more information.
Marine Channels
Police Station: BC 8 for emegencies, 19 for general
Forest Service: Marine Frequency (MF) 16, or Radio Wave 172.50
Lake Chelan Levels
Under the terms of its federal license, Chelan County PUD shall make a reasonable effort to comply with the lake level management practices defined in the Lake Level Plan in Settlement Agreement License Article 405.
Actual lake elevations may vary significantly from expected averages during drawdown and refill periods. Many factors affect lake level including precipitation, temperature, snowpack conditions, and the amount and timing of spring runoff, as well as compliance with the hydro project’s federal operating license and environmental objectives. In addition, there is the goal to meet target lake elevations May through October.
Click HERE to view the current levels for Lake Chelan.