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Deer Lake Fish Stocking

Stevens County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record

Source: Washington fish & wildlife agency· updated 2026-05-27

According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Deer Lake was last stocked May 27, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Deer Lake has 305 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 6,166,569 fish stocked over that period.

May 27, 2026
Last stocked
6,166,569
Fish stocked
5
Species
305
Stocking records

When Deer Lake is stocked

Deer Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 87 stocking events in that peak month.

How Deer Lake's stockings spread across the calendar year.

Angler's Field Guide

Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Deer Lake

Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Stevens County, Washington.

Post-Plant Behavior & Timing

Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Deer 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 Deer Lake was last stocked May 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 Deer 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.

Brook Trout Profile Tips

A favorite of high-country and small-stream anglers; often more willing to strike than brown or rainbow trout in the same water.

Recommended Tackle for Deer Lake

Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.

Hatchery Trout FavoriteBerkley

Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough

Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.

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Top Casting LurePanther Martin

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.

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Essential RiggingEagle Claw

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.

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Kokanee & Salmon FavoriteMack's Lure

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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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 Deer Lake, freshest activity first.

Spring Creek

12 mi

Klickitat County · 1 species · 29 records

Last stocked July 2026

Loon Lake

5 mi

Stevens County · 5 species · 162 records

Last stocked June 2026

Sacheen Lake

13 mi

Pend Oreille County · 3 species · 188 records

Last stocked May 2026

Jumpoff Joe Lake

5 mi

Stevens County · 3 species · 158 records

Last stocked April 2026

Fan Lake

9 mi

Pend Oreille County · 1 species · 34 records

Last stocked March 2026

Waitts Lake

11 mi

Stevens County · 4 species · 234 records

Last stocked March 2026

Stocking history

Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.

DateSpeciesNumberSource
May 27, 2026Rainbow Trout100,128Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 18, 2026Brook Trout12,018Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 11, 2026Rainbow Trout15,300Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 11, 2026Brook Trout16,225Washington fish & wildlife agency
March 31, 2026Rainbow Trout6,385Washington fish & wildlife agency
March 31, 2026Rainbow Trout14,615Washington fish & wildlife agency
March 9, 2026Rainbow Trout300Washington fish & wildlife agency
February 18, 2026Rainbow Trout2,808Washington fish & wildlife agency
Show 42 more stocking records →
DateSpeciesNumberSource
February 17, 2026Rainbow Trout22,264Washington fish & wildlife agency
November 20, 2025Brook Trout600Washington fish & wildlife agency
October 15, 2025Rainbow Trout10,973Washington fish & wildlife agency
October 3, 2025Rainbow Trout1,862Washington fish & wildlife agency
October 3, 2025Rainbow Trout13,140Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 21, 2025Brook Trout1,275Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 21, 2025Brook Trout29,748Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 15, 2025Rainbow Trout7,140Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 15, 2025Rainbow Trout12,925Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 8, 2025Rainbow Trout13,969Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 8, 2025Brook Trout14,650Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 21, 2025Rainbow Trout6,639Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 1, 2025Rainbow Trout3,217Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 1, 2025Rainbow Trout12,047Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 1, 2025Rainbow Trout18,243Washington fish & wildlife agency
April 1, 2025Rainbow Trout6,041Washington fish & wildlife agency
March 25, 2025Rainbow Trout89Washington fish & wildlife agency
March 25, 2025Rainbow Trout18,272Washington fish & wildlife agency
March 17, 2025Rainbow Trout300Washington fish & wildlife agency
November 18, 2024Brook Trout600Washington fish & wildlife agency
October 25, 2024Rainbow Trout780Washington fish & wildlife agency
October 25, 2024Rainbow Trout9,220Washington fish & wildlife agency
September 23, 2024Brook Trout6,192Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 18, 2024Rainbow Trout14,980Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 29, 2024Rainbow Trout52,545Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 5, 2024Brook Trout14,980Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 5, 2024Rainbow Trout14,980Washington fish & wildlife agency
March 1, 2024Rainbow Trout300Washington fish & wildlife agency
February 27, 2024Rainbow Trout9,676Washington fish & wildlife agency
February 27, 2024Rainbow Trout15,369Washington fish & wildlife agency
November 16, 2023Brook Trout768Washington fish & wildlife agency
October 18, 2023Rainbow Trout14,100Washington fish & wildlife agency
October 18, 2023Rainbow Trout2,000Washington fish & wildlife agency
October 18, 2023Rainbow Trout14,098Washington fish & wildlife agency
October 18, 2023Rainbow Trout14,800Washington fish & wildlife agency
October 9, 2023Rainbow Trout13,022Washington fish & wildlife agency
October 6, 2023Rainbow Trout26,977Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 23, 2023Rainbow Trout30,046Washington fish & wildlife agency
June 23, 2023Rainbow Trout38,675Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 22, 2023Rainbow Trout4,095Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 22, 2023Rainbow Trout6,678Washington fish & wildlife agency
May 10, 2023Brook Trout15,000Washington fish & wildlife agency

The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.

Showing 50 of 305 stocking records.

Frequently asked

When was Deer Lake last stocked?

According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Deer Lake was last stocked May 27, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.

What fish species are stocked in Deer Lake?

Deer Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Kokanee, Cutthroat Trout, and Steelhead.

What time of year is Deer Lake stocked?

Deer Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.

How often is Deer Lake stocked?

Deer Lake has been stocked about 10 times a year — 305 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.

How many fish have been stocked in Deer Lake?

About 6,166,569 fish have been stocked in Deer Lake across 305 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.

Do you need a fishing license to fish Deer 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 Deer Lake?

Freshly stocked trout in Deer 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.

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