Harts Lake Fish Stocking
Pierce County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Harts Lake was last stocked March 31, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Harts Lake has 105 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 252,623 fish stocked over that period.
When Harts Lake is stocked
Harts Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in March — 28 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Harts 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 Harts 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 Harts Lake was last stocked March 31, 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 Harts 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.
Catfish Rigging
Fish a Carolina slip-sinker bottom rig with a 1/2 to 1 oz egg sinker, swivel, and 1/0–3/0 circle hook. Baits such as chicken liver, cut baitfish (shad), nightcrawlers, and stink baits produce best during early morning, dusk, or night in deeper holes.
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.
Channel Catfish Profile Tips
Popular with bait anglers using cut bait, worms, or prepared 'stink bait'; often stocked specifically for summer evening fishing.
Recommended Tackle for Harts 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.
Heavy Duty Offset Circle Hooks (1/0–3/0)
Circle hooks naturally turn into the corner of a catfish's jaw as it turns, preventing gut-hooking and improving hookup rates.
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 Harts Lake, freshest activity first.
Lake Lawrence
6 miThurston County · 4 species · 166 records
Last stocked May 2026
Rapjohn Lake
6 miPierce County · 3 species · 112 records
Last stocked May 2026
Clear Lake
5 miThurston County · 5 species · 199 records
Last stocked April 2026
Silver Lake
5 miPierce County · 4 species · 84 records
Last stocked April 2026
Lacamas Creek
5 miClark County · 1 species · 8 records
Last stocked December 2024
Lacamas Creek
5 miLewis County · 4 species · 18 records
Last stocked January 2017
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 25, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 576 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 11, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 26, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 562 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 10, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 21, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,092 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 22, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,795 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 18, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 581 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,350 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 17, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 564 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 3,080 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 3,080 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 16, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 558 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 3,353 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,021 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,413 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 550 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 26, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 306 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 350 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 690 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 19, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 560 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 429 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 425 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 23, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 23, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 9, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 350 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 18, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 6,400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 6, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 27, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 350 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 18, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 6,636 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 18, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 740 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 19, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 6,480 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 4, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 14, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 4,250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 16, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 490 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 4, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 1,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 5, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 1,428 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 5, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 1,872 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 12, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 48 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 105 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Harts Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Harts Lake was last stocked March 31, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Harts Lake?
Harts Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Channel Catfish.
What time of year is Harts Lake stocked?
Harts Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in March.
How often is Harts Lake stocked?
Harts Lake has been stocked about 3 times a year — 105 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Harts Lake?
About 252,623 fish have been stocked in Harts Lake across 105 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Harts 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 Harts Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Harts 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.