Clear Lake Fish Stocking
Thurston County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Clear Lake was last stocked April 22, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Clear Lake has 199 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 1,663,696 fish stocked over that period.
When Clear Lake is stocked
Clear Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 120 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Clear Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Thurston County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Clear 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 Clear Lake was last stocked April 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 Clear 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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Clear 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 Clear Lake, freshest activity first.
Lake Lawrence
5 miThurston County · 4 species · 166 records
Last stocked May 2026
Rapjohn Lake
8 miPierce County · 3 species · 112 records
Last stocked May 2026
Silver Lake
7 miPierce County · 4 species · 84 records
Last stocked April 2026
Twelve Lake
7 miKing County · 2 species · 48 records
Last stocked April 2026
Harts Lake
5 miPierce County · 2 species · 105 records
Last stocked March 2026
Mine Creek
9 miKing County · 1 species · 1 records
Last stocked July 2020
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 22, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,190 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,117 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,230 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 278 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,010 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,179 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,518 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,037 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 7,502 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,155 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 3,750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 3,759 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,005 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,775 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 5, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,744 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 4,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 675 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,926 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 3,837 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 7,660 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,758 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,760 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 552 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 3,498 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 3,910 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 4,530 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 6,255 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 4,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 550 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 3,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 550 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 4,575 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 6,247 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 4,501 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 27, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 85 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 199 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Clear Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Clear Lake was last stocked April 22, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Clear Lake?
Clear Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Brook Trout.
What time of year is Clear Lake stocked?
Clear Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Clear Lake stocked?
Clear Lake has been stocked about 6 times a year — 199 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Clear Lake?
About 1,663,696 fish have been stocked in Clear Lake across 199 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Clear 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 Clear Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Clear 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.