Lake Margaret Fish Stocking
King County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Margaret was last stocked April 9, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Lake Margaret has 78 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 354,662 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Margaret is stocked
Lake Margaret is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 45 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Margaret
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in King County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Lake Margaret, 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 Margaret was last stocked April 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 Lake Margaret:
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.
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.
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 Lake Margaret
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.
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 Margaret, freshest activity first.
Moss Lake
6 miKing County · 1 species · 20 records
Last stocked July 2026
King Lake
3 miPend Oreille County · 1 species · 46 records
Last stocked May 2026
Moss Lake
6 miLewis County · 1 species · 14 records
Last stocked September 2025
Elwell Creek
5 miSnohomish County · 1 species · 2 records
Last stocked January 2024
Drunken Charlie Lake
4 miKing County · 1 species · 21 records
Last stocked September 2021
Stossel Creek
6 miKing County · 2 species · 7 records
Last stocked April 2018
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 9, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 4,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 3, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,173 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 21, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,322 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,182 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 3,839 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 11, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,191 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 12, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 803 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,189 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 14, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 18, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 24, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 5,013 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 20, 2017 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 3,163 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,850 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 10, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 19, 2015 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,040 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 5,013 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 27, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 2,990 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 2,047 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 30, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 5,028 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 20, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 9,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 4,069 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 13, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,804 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 4,862 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 5,359 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 15, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 744 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 22, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 17, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,406 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 3,550 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| January 11, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 27, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 4,020 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 25, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 78 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Margaret last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Margaret was last stocked April 9, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Margaret?
Lake Margaret is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Lake Margaret stocked?
Lake Margaret is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Lake Margaret stocked?
Lake Margaret has been stocked about 2 times a year — 78 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Margaret?
About 354,662 fish have been stocked in Lake Margaret across 78 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Margaret?
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 Margaret?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Margaret 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.