Benson Lake Fish Stocking
Mason County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Benson Lake was last stocked May 14, 2026 with Cutthroat Trout. Benson Lake has 132 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 421,266 fish stocked over that period.
When Benson Lake is stocked
Benson Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 62 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Benson Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Mason County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Benson 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 Benson Lake was last stocked May 14, 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 Benson 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).
Cutthroat Trout Profile Tips
Known for being relatively easy to catch on dry flies, making it a favorite of western fly anglers; many subspecies are managed under catch-and-release rules to protect native populations.
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 Benson 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Benson Lake, freshest activity first.
Mason Lake
2 miMason County · 4 species · 196 records
Last stocked June 2026
Spencer Lake
5 miMason County · 2 species · 295 records
Last stocked May 2026
Devereaux Lake
6 miMason County · 3 species · 153 records
Last stocked May 2026
Emerald Lake Ponds
5 miMason County · 1 species · 4 records
Last stocked May 2026
Mill Pond
4 miPacific County · 1 species · 36 records
Last stocked May 2026
Mill Pond
4 miKing County · 1 species · 58 records
Last stocked April 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2026 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,920 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,260 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,046 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 15, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 518 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 11, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,620 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 10, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,010 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,905 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,920 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 5,608 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 4,850 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 5,613 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 4,975 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,920 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 5,995 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,860 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,010 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,195 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,195 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 12, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 5,050 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 3,070 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 1, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 4,960 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,016 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 5,303 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 4,864 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,019 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,920 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 5,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,065 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 5,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 30, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 4,990 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,920 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 35 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 5,640 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 131 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 7,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,052 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 1,045 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 140 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 5,650 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 7,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 132 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Benson Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Benson Lake was last stocked May 14, 2026 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Benson Lake?
Benson Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Kokanee.
What time of year is Benson Lake stocked?
Benson Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Benson Lake stocked?
Benson Lake has been stocked about 4 times a year — 132 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Benson Lake?
About 421,266 fish have been stocked in Benson Lake across 132 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Benson 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 Benson Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Benson 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.