Kachess Lake Fish Stocking
Kittitas County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Kachess Lake was last stocked June 9, 2026 with Kokanee. Kachess Lake has 141 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 12,364,819 fish stocked over that period.
When Kachess Lake is stocked
Kachess Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in May — 40 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Kachess Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Kittitas County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Kachess 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 Kachess Lake was last stocked June 9, 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 Kachess 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).
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.
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 Kachess 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Kachess Lake, freshest activity first.
Baker Lake
4 miWhatcom County · 4 species · 922 records
Last stocked May 2026
Thorp Lake
4 miKittitas County · 1 species · 30 records
Last stocked October 2025
Easton Pond
5 miKittitas County · 1 species · 77 records
Last stocked June 2024
Morgan Creek
6 mi1 species · 17 records
Last stocked March 2024
Baker Lake
4 miWhatcom County · 2 species · 19 records
Last stocked May 2018
Baker Lake
4 miWhatcom County · 2 species · 34 records
Last stocked May 2017
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 9, 2026 | Kokanee | 153,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2026 | Kokanee | 146,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 18, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 31,383 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2025 | Kokanee | 59,250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2025 | Kokanee | 42,305 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2025 | Kokanee | 59,250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2025 | Kokanee | 59,250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2025 | Kokanee | 136,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 15, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2024 | Kokanee | 98,789 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2024 | Kokanee | 113,408 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2024 | Kokanee | 113,408 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,477 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,943 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 32,032 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2023 | Kokanee | 74,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2023 | Kokanee | 108,790 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2023 | Kokanee | 70,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 23, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 95,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2022 | Kokanee | 28,750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 14, 2022 | Kokanee | 107,494 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 13, 2022 | Kokanee | 149,567 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 4, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 745 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 4, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,071 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 7, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 53,896 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 42,156 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 41,918 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 20, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 43,366 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2021 | Kokanee | 103,948 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2021 | Kokanee | 208,234 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 36,138 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 25, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 27,235 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 23,880 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 24,697 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 63,653 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,544 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2020 | Kokanee | 416,396 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 33,405 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,421 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 5, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 41,733 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2019 | Kokanee | 354,400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2019 | Kokanee | 22,880 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 17, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 272 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2018 | Kokanee | 104,226 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 28, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 73,751 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 73,403 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2017 | Kokanee | 416,205 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 21, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 45,354 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 38,624 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 9, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 38,895 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 141 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Kachess Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Kachess Lake was last stocked June 9, 2026 with Kokanee.
What fish species are stocked in Kachess Lake?
Kachess Lake is stocked with Kokanee and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Kachess Lake stocked?
Kachess Lake is typically stocked in summer, most often in May.
How often is Kachess Lake stocked?
Kachess Lake has been stocked about 4 times a year — 141 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Kachess Lake?
About 12,364,819 fish have been stocked in Kachess Lake across 141 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Kachess 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 Kachess Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Kachess 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.