Bradley Lake Fish Stocking
Pierce County, Washington · 1999–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Bradley Lake was last stocked June 22, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Bradley Lake has 180 stocking records on file, spanning 1999–2026, with about 216,314 fish stocked over that period.
When Bradley Lake is stocked
Bradley Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 41 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Bradley Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Pierce County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Bradley 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 Bradley Lake was last stocked June 22, 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 Bradley 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).
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Bradley 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 Bradley Lake, freshest activity first.
Lake Tapps
7 miPierce County · 3 species · 41 records
Last stocked June 2026
Voight Creek
7 miPierce County · 4 species · 313 records
Last stocked June 2026
Fivemile Lake
8 miKing County · 2 species · 44 records
Last stocked May 2026
Clarks Creek
4 miPierce County · 3 species · 91 records
Last stocked May 2026
Swan Creek
7 miPierce County · 2 species · 28 records
Last stocked May 2026
Carbon River
3 miPierce County · 1 species · 14 records
Last stocked March 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 22, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 10, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 255 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 20, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 225 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 30, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 11, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,310 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 23, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 15, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 26, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 14, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 406 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 16, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 1, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 729 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 19, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 354 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,558 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,540 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 9, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 850 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,248 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 27, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 252 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 11, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 28, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 303 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 29, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 11, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,104 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 180 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Bradley Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Bradley Lake was last stocked June 22, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Bradley Lake?
Bradley Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Bradley Lake stocked?
Bradley Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Bradley Lake stocked?
Bradley Lake has been stocked about 6 times a year — 180 recorded stockings between 1999 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Bradley Lake?
About 216,314 fish have been stocked in Bradley Lake across 180 recorded events since 1999, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Bradley 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 Bradley Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Bradley 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.