Chelan River Fish Stocking
Chelan County, Washington · 2008–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Chelan River was last stocked April 27, 2026 with Chinook Salmon. Chelan River has 132 stocking records on file, spanning 2008–2026, with about 9,757,432 fish stocked over that period.
When Chelan River is stocked
Chelan River is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 97 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Chelan River
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Chelan County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Chelan River, 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 Chelan River was last stocked April 27, 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 Chelan River:
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).
Chinook Salmon Profile Tips
A major sport and tribal fishery in Washington; trolled or jigged in Montana's larger reservoirs.
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 Chelan River
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 Chelan River, freshest activity first.
Wapato Lake
11 miChelan County · 4 species · 149 records
Last stocked June 2026
Jameson Lake
19 miDouglas County · 1 species · 153 records
Last stocked June 2026
Alta Lake
15 miOkanogan County · 5 species · 142 records
Last stocked May 2026
Roses Lake
10 miChelan County · 6 species · 223 records
Last stocked May 2026
Antilon Lake North
14 miChelan County · 2 species · 13 records
Last stocked April 2026
Antilon Lake South
14 miChelan County · 4 species · 62 records
Last stocked April 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 27, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 399 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 95,460 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 28,992 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 140,737 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 92,463 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 139,252 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 28,081 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 16,438 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 6, 2026 | Chinook Salmon | 16,971 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 21, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 496 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 134,021 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 124,802 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 134,529 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 130,172 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2024 | Chinook Salmon | 127,130 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2024 | Chinook Salmon | 125,062 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2024 | Chinook Salmon | 123,663 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2024 | Chinook Salmon | 126,251 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 156,626 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 141,251 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 145,008 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 156,786 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2022 | Chinook Salmon | 145,312 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2022 | Chinook Salmon | 116,219 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2022 | Chinook Salmon | 158,801 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2022 | Chinook Salmon | 153,965 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2022 | Chinook Salmon | 24,211 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2022 | Chinook Salmon | 54,102 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 4,405 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 14,425 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 2,715 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 156,781 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 51,429 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 94,941 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 156,453 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 45,242 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 15,052 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 16,069 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 69,667 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 54,868 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 123,011 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 100,125 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 52,746 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 26,820 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 136,660 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 96,255 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 29,795 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 7, 2019 | Chinook Salmon | 17 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2019 | Chinook Salmon | 189 | 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 Chelan River last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Chelan River was last stocked April 27, 2026 with Chinook Salmon.
What fish species are stocked in Chelan River?
Chelan River is stocked with Chinook Salmon and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Chelan River stocked?
Chelan River is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Chelan River stocked?
Chelan River has been stocked about 7 times a year — 132 recorded stockings between 2008 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Chelan River?
About 9,757,432 fish have been stocked in Chelan River across 132 recorded events since 2008, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Chelan River?
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 Chelan River?
Freshly stocked trout in Chelan River 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.