Lake Washington Fish Stocking
King County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Washington was last stocked May 30, 2026 with Coho Salmon. Lake Washington has 203 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 2,386,982 fish stocked over that period.
When Lake Washington is stocked
Lake Washington is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 62 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Lake Washington
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 Washington, 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 Washington was last stocked May 30, 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 Washington:
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).
Coho Salmon Profile Tips
A popular fall target in Washington's rivers and marine waters.
Chinook Salmon Profile Tips
A major sport and tribal fishery in Washington; trolled or jigged in Montana's larger reservoirs.
Recommended Tackle for Lake Washington
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 Washington, freshest activity first.
Green Lake
6 miKing County · 5 species · 244 records
Last stocked June 2026
Lake Boren
7 miKing County · 1 species · 38 records
Last stocked May 2026
Juanita Creek
6 miKing County · 1 species · 43 records
Last stocked May 2026
May Creek
7 miSnohomish County · 3 species · 23 records
Last stocked April 2026
May Creek
7 miKing County · 2 species · 23 records
Last stocked April 2026
Portage Lake
4 miKittitas County · 1 species · 10 records
Last stocked July 2025
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 30, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 151 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 14,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 14,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 137 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 62 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 1,960 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 14, 2026 | Coho Salmon | 199 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2025 | Coho Salmon | 14,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 28, 2025 | Coho Salmon | 236 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2025 | Coho Salmon | 140 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2025 | Chinook Salmon | 392 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 26, 2025 | Coho Salmon | 4,978 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 9, 2025 | Coho Salmon | 2,760 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2024 | Coho Salmon | 172 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2024 | Coho Salmon | 14,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2024 | Coho Salmon | 140 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2024 | Chinook Salmon | 389 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 27, 2024 | Coho Salmon | 483 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 26, 2024 | Coho Salmon | 4,554 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 1, 2024 | Coho Salmon | 1,913 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2023 | Coho Salmon | 14,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2023 | Coho Salmon | 113 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2023 | Coho Salmon | 171 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2023 | Chinook Salmon | 50 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 31, 2023 | Coho Salmon | 3,529 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2023 | Coho Salmon | 189 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 1, 2023 | Coho Salmon | 760 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2022 | Coho Salmon | 205 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2022 | Coho Salmon | 178 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2022 | Coho Salmon | 14,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2022 | Chinook Salmon | 407 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 31, 2022 | Coho Salmon | 4,376 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 4, 2021 | Coho Salmon | 2,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2021 | Coho Salmon | 14,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2021 | Coho Salmon | 60 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2021 | Coho Salmon | 1,577 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2021 | Chinook Salmon | 161 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2020 | Coho Salmon | 14,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 25, 2020 | Coho Salmon | 220 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 11, 2020 | Coho Salmon | 4,901 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 11, 2020 | Chinook Salmon | 706 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2019 | Coho Salmon | 145 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2019 | Coho Salmon | 14,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2019 | Coho Salmon | 67 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2019 | Coho Salmon | 175 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2019 | Coho Salmon | 1 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2019 | Coho Salmon | 5,444 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 14, 2019 | Chinook Salmon | 594 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 12, 2019 | Coho Salmon | 350 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 203 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Lake Washington last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Lake Washington was last stocked May 30, 2026 with Coho Salmon.
What fish species are stocked in Lake Washington?
Lake Washington is stocked with Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Lake Trout.
What time of year is Lake Washington stocked?
Lake Washington is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Lake Washington stocked?
Lake Washington has been stocked about 6 times a year — 203 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Lake Washington?
About 2,386,982 fish have been stocked in Lake Washington across 203 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Lake Washington?
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 Washington?
Freshly stocked trout in Lake Washington 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.