Lake Stevens Fish Stocking
Snohomish County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Stevens was last stocked April 29, 2026 with Kokanee. Lake Stevens has 171 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 7,794,079 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Stevens is stocked
Lake Stevens is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 107 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Stevens
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Snohomish County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Lake Stevens, 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 Stevens was last stocked April 29, 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 Stevens:
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.
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 Stevens
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 Lake Stevens, freshest activity first.
Flowing Lake
6 miSnohomish County · 3 species · 149 records
Last stocked May 2026
Snohomish River
6 miSnohomish County · 1 species · 25 records
Last stocked April 2026
Bosworth Lake
6 miSnohomish County · 3 species · 102 records
Last stocked April 2026
Blackmans Lake
5 miSnohomish County · 3 species · 157 records
Last stocked April 2026
Panther Lake
5 miSnohomish County · 1 species · 40 records
Last stocked March 2026
Cassidy Lake
3 miSnohomish County · 3 species · 68 records
Last stocked March 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 29, 2026 | Kokanee | 180,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2025 | Kokanee | 180,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2024 | Kokanee | 165,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2023 | Kokanee | 166,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2022 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2022 | Kokanee | 11,011 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2022 | Kokanee | 45,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2022 | Kokanee | 45,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 12, 2022 | Kokanee | 39,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2021 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2021 | Kokanee | 141,285 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2020 | Kokanee | 161,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2019 | Kokanee | 124,616 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2019 | Kokanee | 124,713 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2019 | Kokanee | 166,318 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 2, 2019 | Kokanee | 9,502 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 19, 2018 | Kokanee | 35,750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 2018 | Kokanee | 165,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 17, 2017 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 21, 2017 | Kokanee | 165,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2016 | Kokanee | 170,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2015 | Kokanee | 170,377 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 24, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 66,185 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2014 | Kokanee | 170,116 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 28,710 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 23,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 25,955 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 36,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 29, 2013 | Kokanee | 175,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2012 | Kokanee | 85,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2012 | Kokanee | 97,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 36,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 31,650 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 29,260 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 32,370 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2011 | Kokanee | 67,716 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2011 | Kokanee | 48,546 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2011 | Kokanee | 33,770 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 7, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 23,625 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 22, 2010 | Kokanee | 59,943 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 8, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 33,725 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 15,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2010 | Kokanee | 90,234 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 3,150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2009 | Kokanee | 149,935 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 12,876 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 20,856 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 19,092 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 20, 2008 | Kokanee | 86,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2008 | Kokanee | 64,533 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 171 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Stevens last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Stevens was last stocked April 29, 2026 with Kokanee.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Stevens?
Lake Stevens is stocked with Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Lake Stevens stocked?
Lake Stevens is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Lake Stevens stocked?
Lake Stevens has been stocked about 5 times a year — 171 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Stevens?
About 7,794,079 fish have been stocked in Lake Stevens across 171 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Stevens?
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 Stevens?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Stevens 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.