Medical Lake Fish Stocking
Spokane County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Medical Lake was last stocked May 11, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Medical Lake has 109 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 316,052 fish stocked over that period.
When Medical Lake is stocked
Medical Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in March — 35 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Medical Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Spokane County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Medical Lake, 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 Medical Lake was last stocked May 11, 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 Medical Lake:
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.
Brown Trout Profile Tips
Known for being wary and selective, brown trout are a prized target for fly anglers, especially larger, nocturnal-feeding fish.
Recommended Tackle for Medical Lake
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 Medical Lake, freshest activity first.
Chapman Lake
15 miSpokane County · 2 species · 52 records
Last stocked May 2026
Long Lake
9 miSpokane County · 2 species · 83 records
Last stocked May 2026
Williams Lake
17 miSpokane County · 3 species · 235 records
Last stocked May 2026
Amber Lake
15 miSpokane County · 2 species · 54 records
Last stocked May 2026
Badger Lake
15 miSpokane County · 3 species · 157 records
Last stocked May 2026
Silver Lake
2 miSpokane County · 3 species · 115 records
Last stocked May 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 4,859 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 170 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 12, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 3, 2026 | Brown Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,034 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,183 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 17, 2025 | Brown Trout | 2,501 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 17, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 3, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 5,001 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,205 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 13, 2024 | Brown Trout | 2,502 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 5,074 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 894 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2023 | Brown Trout | 2,501 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 5,036 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 334 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,533 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 10, 2022 | Brown Trout | 2,502 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 5,099 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 152 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 15, 2021 | Brown Trout | 2,014 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 5,050 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 26, 2020 | Brown Trout | 2,003 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 18, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 535 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 5,024 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 362 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2, 2019 | Brown Trout | 2,001 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 5,045 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 66 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 132 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 125 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 15, 2018 | Brown Trout | 2,504 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 5,025 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 72 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 103 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2017 | Brown Trout | 2,502 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 20, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,505 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 5,045 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 505 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 3, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 1,026 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 26, 2016 | Brown Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 335 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2015 | Brown Trout | 2,536 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 25, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 1,040 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 109 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Medical Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Medical Lake was last stocked May 11, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Medical Lake?
Medical Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Tiger Trout.
What time of year is Medical Lake stocked?
Medical Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in March.
How often is Medical Lake stocked?
Medical Lake has been stocked about 3 times a year — 109 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Medical Lake?
About 316,052 fish have been stocked in Medical Lake across 109 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Medical Lake?
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 Medical Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Medical Lake 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.