Lake Chelan Fish Stocking
Chelan County, Washington · 1995–2024 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Chelan was last stocked August 20, 2024 with Cutthroat Trout. Lake Chelan has 311 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2024, with about 7,997,038 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Chelan is stocked
Lake Chelan is typically stocked in summer, most often in August — 71 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Chelan
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Chelan County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Lake Chelan, 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 Lake Chelan was last stocked August 20, 2024, 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 Lake Chelan:
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).
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Lake Chelan
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 Lake Chelan, freshest activity first.
Wapato Lake
12 miChelan County · 4 species · 149 records
Last stocked June 2026
Lake Chelan
0 miChelan County · 3 species · 41 records
Last stocked May 2026
Lake Chelan
0 miChelan County · 2 species · 17 records
Last stocked May 2026
Roses Lake
13 miChelan County · 6 species · 223 records
Last stocked May 2026
Antilon Lake North
10 miChelan County · 2 species · 13 records
Last stocked April 2026
Antilon Lake South
10 miChelan County · 4 species · 62 records
Last stocked April 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 20, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 1,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 14, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 14, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 23, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,890 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 24, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 24, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,797 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 18, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 3,120 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 15, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 3,840 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 15, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 3,840 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 14, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 26, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 30,016 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 22, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 8, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 3,835 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 22, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 19, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2014 | Kokanee | 70,177 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 23, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 13,945 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| August 20, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 8, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 1,388 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,268 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,685 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 2, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 10,159 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 4,644 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 19, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,204 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2012 | Chinook Salmon | 38,940 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,898 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 5, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,040 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 5, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,075 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 15,054 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 4, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 7,475 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 29, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 13, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 9,760 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 1, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 2, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 434 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 311 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Chelan last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Chelan was last stocked August 20, 2024 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Chelan?
Lake Chelan is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Chinook Salmon, and Lake Trout.
What time of year is Lake Chelan stocked?
Lake Chelan is typically stocked in summer, most often in August.
How often is Lake Chelan stocked?
Lake Chelan has been stocked about 10 times a year — 311 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2024.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Chelan?
About 7,997,038 fish have been stocked in Lake Chelan across 311 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Chelan?
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 Lake Chelan?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Chelan 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.