Merrill Lake closure

J

JB20

Smolt
Washington department of natural resources has a note on their site saying Merrill Lake and all public access is closed due to winter storm damage. Can anyone confirm whether or not that info is up to date? Much appreciated!
 
I don't have an answer here, but I finally decided to get a Washington license this year, and Merrill was on my list to check out. Bummed if this is the case.
 
The boat ramp and campground are definitely closed. The road from the gate to the ramp was destroyed.
IMG_3030.jpeg
I have emails out to my contacts in WDFW and DNR to clarify if just the ramp and campground are closed or the entire lake.
There’s no reason the entire lake should be closed…
 
I have confirmed with DNR that it’s just DNR property (ramp and campground area) that is closed.
There are areas on the north end of the lake you can still hike your float tube down.
 
Darn. It was on my list this year as well.
 
Thanks for all the info, everyone. I also got in touch with DNR and they said May/June is the timeframe for getting things reopened. Hopefully that means it won’t be a lost season entirely!
 
Any update on progress? I think the road to the boat ramp and campground are still closed?
 
If you drive a bit north of the access road there is a semi wide spot in the road where you can park and hike a trail down to the shoreline on the north end of the lake and launch a float tube. Or at least there used to be... It's been a decade or two since I've fished there.
 
I talked to somebody (DNR) up there a week ago, and they were just unloading some equipment. They said about three weeks. The trail is still there, marked with a sign to remind us to display a discover pass.
 
ColinShots said:
I don't have an answer here, but I finally decided to get a Washington license this year, and Merrill was on my list to check out. Bummed if this is the case.
Click to expand...
Guess you'll start having to stop at that other big lake on your way...
 
ColinShots said:
I’d have no idea what to do there. However, I’m happy to tag along with you one of these days…
Click to expand...
Be careful. The edge of that rabbit hole is steep and slippery.


mcswny said:
Tie on a fly the size of a baby duck and swing for the fences :)
Click to expand...
I've tried duckling flies. they don't seem to have a taste for them. But then again, they don't have much of a taste for anything I throw.
 
Paul_ said:
According to DNR Merrill Lake access will be closed for the foreseeable future out of a “abundance of caution”.
Click to expand...
Hell, the GPNF has been using that excuse for over 40 years... must be spreading... The best way to decrease your workload if you're managing the forest is to keep people out.
rant mode off... I go now...
 
The report should include the instability of the hillside that caused the original issue. DNR indicates that during the process of preparing for the reopening, they discovered continued landslide and unstable slope risks above the campground, boat launch, and access road. I cannot argue with their decision...
 
TroutStyx said:
The report should include the instability of the hillside that caused the original issue. DNR indicates that during the process of preparing for the reopening, they discovered continued landslide and unstable slope risks above the campground, boat launch, and access road. I cannot argue with their decision...
Click to expand...
did they do any logging above that area? Years ago you could go past Merrill to McBride lake which no longer exists. Had great callibaetis hatches there but it got washed out. I don't anywhere around Mt, St. Helens is stable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top