Bonaparte Lake Fish Stocking
Okanogan County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Bonaparte Lake was last stocked June 2, 2026 with Kokanee. Bonaparte Lake has 226 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 1,582,257 fish stocked over that period.
When Bonaparte Lake is stocked
Bonaparte Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 99 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Bonaparte 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 Bonaparte 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 Bonaparte Lake was last stocked June 2, 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 Bonaparte 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 Bonaparte 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 Bonaparte Lake, freshest activity first.
Sidley Lake
15 miOkanogan County · 3 species · 104 records
Last stocked July 2026
Long Lake
13 miOkanogan County · 2 species · 58 records
Last stocked June 2026
Round Lake
14 miOkanogan County · 2 species · 74 records
Last stocked June 2026
Lake Beth
5 miOkanogan County · 4 species · 69 records
Last stocked May 2026
Curlew Lake
18 miFerry County · 3 species · 256 records
Last stocked May 2026
Lost Lake
14 miOkanogan County · 4 species · 62 records
Last stocked May 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2, 2026 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2025 | Tiger Trout | 15,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 476 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2025 | Tiger Trout | 7,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2025 | Kokanee | 10,985 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2025 | Kokanee | 11,086 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2025 | Kokanee | 11,176 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 2024 | Tiger Trout | 925 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2024 | Kokanee | 20,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 444 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2024 | Tiger Trout | 7,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2023 | Brown Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 28, 2023 | Tiger Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2023 | Tiger Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 469 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2023 | Kokanee | 15,149 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2023 | Kokanee | 4,851 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2023 | Brook Trout | 16,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 2022 | Tiger Trout | 1,750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2022 | Kokanee | 30,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2022 | Brook Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 22, 2021 | Tiger Trout | 2,688 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 13, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 25, 2021 | Brook Trout | 8,832 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2021 | Tiger Trout | 15,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 9,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2021 | Tiger Trout | 8,832 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2021 | Kokanee | 29,597 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 175 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 27, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 30, 2020 | Tiger Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2020 | Kokanee | 19,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 21, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 21, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2019 | Kokanee | 25,008 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2019 | Brook Trout | 21,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2019 | Tiger Trout | 1,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2019 | Tiger Trout | 6,547 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2019 | Tiger Trout | 7,452 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 16, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 15, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 28, 2018 | Brook Trout | 2,640 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2018 | Tiger Trout | 10,035 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2018 | Brook Trout | 12,122 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2018 | Tiger Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 226 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Bonaparte Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Bonaparte Lake was last stocked June 2, 2026 with Kokanee.
What fish species are stocked in Bonaparte Lake?
Bonaparte Lake is stocked with Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Steelhead, and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Bonaparte Lake stocked?
Bonaparte Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Bonaparte Lake stocked?
Bonaparte Lake has been stocked about 7 times a year — 226 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Bonaparte Lake?
About 1,582,257 fish have been stocked in Bonaparte Lake across 226 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Bonaparte 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 Bonaparte Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Bonaparte 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.