Eight Creek Fish Stocking
Washington · 2001–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Eight Creek was last stocked April 27, 2026 with Steelhead. Eight Creek has 52 stocking records on file, spanning 2001–2026, with about 2,960,289 fish stocked over that period.
When Eight Creek is stocked
Eight Creek is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 44 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Eight Creek
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Eight Creek, 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 Eight Creek 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 Eight Creek:
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).
Steelhead Profile Tips
A prized winter and spring fishery in both states, known for powerful, sustained fights.
Coho Salmon Profile Tips
A popular fall target in Washington's rivers and marine waters.
Recommended Tackle for Eight Creek
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 Eight Creek, freshest activity first.
Salmon Creek
6 mi4 species · 300 records
Last stocked April 2026
Salmon Creek
6 miOkanogan County · 1 species · 57 records
Last stocked April 2025
Salmon Creek
6 mi3 species · 17 records
Last stocked May 2023
Cannonball Lake
4 miSnohomish County · 1 species · 2 records
Last stocked July 2022
Salmon Creek
6 miPacific County · 1 species · 11 records
Last stocked January 2019
Brown Creek
9 miMason County · 1 species · 4 records
Last stocked May 2016
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 27, 2026 | Steelhead | 35,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 105,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2025 | Coho Salmon | 68,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2025 | Coho Salmon | 47,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2025 | Steelhead | 43,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2024 | Steelhead | 54,688 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2024 | Coho Salmon | 109,738 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2023 | Steelhead | 10,036 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 16, 2023 | Coho Salmon | 86,657 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2022 | Steelhead | 26,150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2022 | Coho Salmon | 76,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2021 | Coho Salmon | 104,400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2021 | Steelhead | 31,850 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2020 | Coho Salmon | 78,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2020 | Steelhead | 31,850 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2019 | Steelhead | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2019 | Coho Salmon | 104,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2018 | Coho Salmon | 100,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2018 | Steelhead | 30,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2017 | Coho Salmon | 62,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2017 | Steelhead | 24,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2016 | Coho Salmon | 93,780 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2016 | Steelhead | 30,150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2015 | Coho Salmon | 85,050 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2015 | Steelhead | 29,160 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2014 | Steelhead | 27,630 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2014 | Coho Salmon | 86,130 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2013 | Steelhead | 24,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2013 | Coho Salmon | 105,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2012 | Steelhead | 29,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2012 | Coho Salmon | 100,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 1, 2010 | Coho Salmon | 100,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 1, 2010 | Steelhead | 32,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2009 | Steelhead | 40,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2009 | Coho Salmon | 100,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2008 | Coho Salmon | 93,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2008 | Steelhead | 28,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2007 | Coho Salmon | 100,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2007 | Steelhead | 47,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2007 | Steelhead | 17,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2006 | Steelhead | 37,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2006 | Coho Salmon | 101,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2004 | Coho Salmon | 43,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2004 | Coho Salmon | 45,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2004 | Steelhead | 22,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2003 | Coho Salmon | 44,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2003 | Coho Salmon | 45,090 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2002 | Steelhead | 6,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2002 | Coho Salmon | 48,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2002 | Coho Salmon | 47,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 52 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Eight Creek last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Eight Creek was last stocked April 27, 2026 with Steelhead.
What fish species are stocked in Eight Creek?
Eight Creek is stocked with Steelhead and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Eight Creek stocked?
Eight Creek is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Eight Creek stocked?
Eight Creek has been stocked about 2 times a year — 52 recorded stockings between 2001 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Eight Creek?
About 2,960,289 fish have been stocked in Eight Creek across 52 recorded events since 2001, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Eight Creek?
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 Eight Creek?
Freshly stocked trout in Eight Creek 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.