Alta Lake Fish Stocking
Okanogan County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Alta Lake was last stocked May 19, 2026 with Kokanee. Alta Lake has 142 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 1,723,532 fish stocked over that period.
When Alta Lake is stocked
Alta Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 61 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Alta Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Okanogan County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Alta Lake, they typically congregate in schools near public access points, boat ramps, or inlets for the first 24 to 48 hours while adjusting to natural water conditions.
Since Alta Lake was last stocked May 19, 2026, anglers visiting within 1 to 2 weeks of a reported event generally experience the highest activity before fish disperse into deeper cover.
State Regulations & Licensing
- •Fishing License: A valid Washington freshwater fishing license is required for anglers age 16 and older.Purchase Washington license online →
- •Official Rules & Limits: Bag limits, bait restrictions, and seasonal boundaries are set by Washington fish & wildlife agency.Official Washington regulations guidebook →
- •Ethical Conservation: Use barbless hooks and keep fish submerged in water during unhooking.Trout Thermal Advisory: When water temperatures rise above 68°F (20°C), released trout face severe mortality from thermal exhaustion. Target warmwater species or fish early in the morning when lakes and streams warm up.
Recommended Tackle & Presentations
Techniques tailored to the species stocked in Alta Lake:
Stocked Trout Tactics
Use light 4–6 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Float scented dough bait (PowerBait) 12–18" off bottom using a sliding slip-sinker rig with a size 14–16 treble hook. For active casting, throw 1/16 to 1/8 oz inline spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) or small spoons (Kastmaster) along drop-offs.
Kokanee & Salmon Tactics
Troll small dodgers followed by micro-hoochies or wedding ring spinners tipped with shoepeg corn. Use downriggers or lead-core line to reach cooler thermocline depths (typically 20–50 ft in summer).
Kokanee Profile Tips
Usually caught by trolling small lures or bait behind flashers at depth; a major fall spectacle when spawning runs turn red in tributary streams.
Rainbow Trout Profile Tips
The most commonly targeted stocked trout in the country, taken on bait, spinners, and flies alike; a common first fish for new anglers.
Recommended Tackle for Alta Lake
Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.
Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough
Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.
Panther Martin Classic Teardrop Inline Spinner
The heavy convex blade spins instantly upon retrieval, sending vibration through the water that triggers aggressive reaction bites along drop-offs.
Sliding Sinker & Treble Hook Rigging Kit
Sliding egg sinkers allow cautious trout to run with bait without feeling line drag, while size 14–16 treble hooks keep dough bait securely pinned.
Mack's Lure Classic Wedding Ring Spinner
A classic Western trolling lure designed to be tipped with shoepeg corn and run behind a dodger in deep thermoclines.
As an Amazon Associate, StockedWaters earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are chosen for hatchery-conditioned fish behavior and ethical rigging. We may receive a referral commission if you buy through these links. Read our editorial policy & standards.
Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Alta Lake, freshest activity first.
Wapato Lake
13 miChelan County · 4 species · 149 records
Last stocked June 2026
Roses Lake
13 miChelan County · 6 species · 223 records
Last stocked May 2026
Chelan River
15 miChelan County · 2 species · 132 records
Last stocked April 2026
Antilon Lake South
11 miChelan County · 4 species · 62 records
Last stocked April 2026
Antilon Lake North
11 miChelan County · 2 species · 13 records
Last stocked April 2026
Methow River
3 miOkanogan County · 2 species · 354 records
Last stocked April 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2026 | Kokanee | 12,630 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2026 | Kokanee | 11,970 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2025 | Kokanee | 11,396 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2025 | Kokanee | 11,406 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2025 | Kokanee | 2,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2024 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2023 | Kokanee | 12,024 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2023 | Kokanee | 5,414 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2023 | Kokanee | 7,562 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 365 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 35,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2022 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,015 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2021 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 28,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 23, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 23, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 23, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 23, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 12, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 555 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 27,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2020 | Kokanee | 27,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 174 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2019 | Kokanee | 35,064 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 40,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 125 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 40,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2018 | Kokanee | 25,241 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 17, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 25 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 24,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2017 | Kokanee | 3,727 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2017 | Kokanee | 4,346 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2017 | Kokanee | 4,212 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2017 | Kokanee | 4,246 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2017 | Kokanee | 4,250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 142 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Alta Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Alta Lake was last stocked May 19, 2026 with Kokanee.
What fish species are stocked in Alta Lake?
Alta Lake is stocked with Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Brown Trout, and Tiger Trout.
What time of year is Alta Lake stocked?
Alta Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Alta Lake stocked?
Alta Lake has been stocked about 4 times a year — 142 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Alta Lake?
About 1,723,532 fish have been stocked in Alta Lake across 142 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Alta Lake?
Yes, all anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid Washington freshwater fishing license. Always review current regulations from Washington fish & wildlife agency for site-specific rules, bag limits, or stamps.
How do you catch stocked trout in Alta Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Alta Lake typically respond well to floating dough bait (such as PowerBait) floated 12–18 inches off bottom on light 4–6 lb leader, live nightcrawlers under a bobber, and small inline spinners or spoons retrieved along shorelines and drop-offs.