Lake Sacajawea Fish Stocking
Cowlitz County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Sacajawea was last stocked May 6, 2026 with Brown Trout. Lake Sacajawea has 339 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 787,540 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Sacajawea is stocked
Lake Sacajawea is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 121 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Sacajawea
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Cowlitz County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Lake Sacajawea, 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 Sacajawea was last stocked May 6, 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 Sacajawea:
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).
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
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 Sacajawea
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 Sacajawea, freshest activity first.
Hatchery Creek
9 miGrant County · 4 species · 324 records
Last stocked June 2026
Cowlitz River
3 miLewis County · 5 species · 2642 records
Last stocked May 2026
Kalama River
8 mi3 species · 728 records
Last stocked April 2026
Davis Creek
5 miPacific County · 1 species · 4 records
Last stocked April 2026
Hatchery Lake
9 miMason County · 2 species · 38 records
Last stocked April 2026
Cowlitz River
3 miLewis County · 4 species · 98 records
Last stocked April 2024
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2026 | Brown Trout | 2,700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,640 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 25, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 3, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,175 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 3, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,825 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 23, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 17, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 40 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 17, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 35 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 15 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 35 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 25 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 11, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 2, 2024 | Brown Trout | 1,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 60 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,640 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,970 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 3,016 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 27, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 21, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 18, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 20 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 18, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 18, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 35 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 40 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 8, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 8, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 15, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 15, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 35 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 15, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 15 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 13, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 666 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2022 | Brown Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 45 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 3,080 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 339 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Sacajawea last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Sacajawea was last stocked May 6, 2026 with Brown Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Sacajawea?
Lake Sacajawea is stocked with Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Cutthroat Trout, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Lake Sacajawea stocked?
Lake Sacajawea is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Lake Sacajawea stocked?
Lake Sacajawea has been stocked about 11 times a year — 339 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Sacajawea?
About 787,540 fish have been stocked in Lake Sacajawea across 339 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Sacajawea?
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 Sacajawea?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Sacajawea 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.