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Bennington Lake Fish Stocking

Walla Walla County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record

Source: Washington fish & wildlife agency· updated 2026-06-16

According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Bennington Lake was last stocked June 16, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Bennington Lake has 273 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 646,076 fish stocked over that period.

June 16, 2026
Last stocked
646,076
Fish stocked
1
Species
273
Stocking records

When Bennington Lake is stocked

Bennington Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 107 stocking events in that peak month.

How Bennington Lake's stockings spread across the calendar year.

Angler's Field Guide

Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Bennington Lake

Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Walla Walla County, Washington.

Post-Plant Behavior & Timing

Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Bennington 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 Bennington Lake was last stocked June 16, 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 Bennington 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.

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 Bennington Lake

Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.

Hatchery Trout FavoriteBerkley

Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough

Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.

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Top Casting LurePanther Martin

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.

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Essential RiggingEagle Claw

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.

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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 Bennington Lake, freshest activity first.

Big Soos Creek

King County · 3 species · 804 records

Last stocked July 2026

Mineral Lake

Lewis County · 3 species · 525 records

Last stocked July 2026

Minter Creek

Kitsap County · 4 species · 651 records

Last stocked July 2026

Fork Creek

Pacific County · 4 species · 561 records

Last stocked June 2026

Lewis River North Fork

Cowlitz County · 4 species · 1360 records

Last stocked June 2026

Klineline Pond

Clark County · 4 species · 561 records

Last stocked June 2026

Stocking history

Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.

DateSpeciesNumberSource
June 16, 2026Rainbow Trout2,825Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 12, 2026Rainbow Trout2,825Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 29, 2026Rainbow Trout1,300Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 29, 2026Rainbow Trout100Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 21, 2026Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 4, 2026Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 4, 2026Rainbow Trout50Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 20, 2026Rainbow Trout180Washington fish & wildlife agency
Show 42 more stocking records →
DateSpeciesNumberSource
April 17, 2026Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 16, 2026Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 3, 2025Rainbow Trout2,975Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 2, 2025Rainbow Trout132Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 20, 2025Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 13, 2025Rainbow Trout5,100Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 9, 2025Rainbow Trout350Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 6, 2025Rainbow Trout5,100Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 30, 2024Rainbow Trout2,920Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 23, 2024Rainbow Trout150Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 21, 2024Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 13, 2024Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 7, 2024Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 6, 2024Rainbow Trout180Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 25, 2024Rainbow Trout2,825Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 16, 2024Rainbow Trout3,105Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 1, 2023Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 17, 2023Rainbow Trout3,000Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 17, 2023Rainbow Trout3,000Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 16, 2023Rainbow Trout3,000Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 16, 2023Rainbow Trout3,000Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 15, 2023Rainbow Trout525Washington fish & wildlife agency
July 1, 2022Rainbow Trout2,250Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 22, 2022Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 26, 2022Rainbow Trout1,138Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 24, 2022Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 17, 2022Rainbow Trout300Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 16, 2022Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 9, 2022Rainbow Trout300Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 4, 2022Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 22, 2022Rainbow Trout2,675Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 16, 2021Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 10, 2021Rainbow Trout3,100Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 8, 2021Rainbow Trout2,550Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 11, 2021Rainbow Trout439Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 5, 2021Rainbow Trout2,610Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 5, 2021Rainbow Trout100Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 4, 2021Rainbow Trout100Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 4, 2021Rainbow Trout2,610Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 3, 2020Rainbow Trout2,040Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 22, 2020Rainbow Trout2,142Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 21, 2020Rainbow Trout2,142Washington fish & wildlife agency

The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.

Showing 50 of 273 stocking records.

Frequently asked

When was Bennington Lake last stocked?

According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Bennington Lake was last stocked June 16, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.

What fish species are stocked in Bennington Lake?

Bennington Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout.

What time of year is Bennington Lake stocked?

Bennington Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.

How often is Bennington Lake stocked?

Bennington Lake has been stocked about 9 times a year — 273 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.

How many fish have been stocked in Bennington Lake?

About 646,076 fish have been stocked in Bennington Lake across 273 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.

Do you need a fishing license to fish Bennington 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 Bennington Lake?

Freshly stocked trout in Bennington 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.

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