Mountain Lake Fish Stocking
San Juan County, Washington · 2005–2025 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Mountain Lake was last stocked November 14, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout. Mountain Lake has 30 stocking records on file, spanning 2005–2025, with about 336,125 fish stocked over that period.
When Mountain Lake is stocked
Mountain Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 12 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Mountain Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in San Juan County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Mountain 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 Mountain Lake was last stocked November 14, 2025, 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 Mountain 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.
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).
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.
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.
Recommended Tackle for Mountain 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.
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 Mountain Lake, freshest activity first.
Cascade Lake
2 miSan Juan County · 3 species · 124 records
Last stocked April 2026
Schell Creek
14 miWhatcom County · 2 species · 10 records
Last stocked March 2026
Hummel Lake
10 miSan Juan County · 2 species · 38 records
Last stocked March 2026
Egg Lake
14 miSan Juan County · 1 species · 32 records
Last stocked March 2026
Lake Terrell
15 miWhatcom County · 4 species · 90 records
Last stocked March 2026
Nooksack River
13 miWhatcom County · 3 species · 8 records
Last stocked March 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 14, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,558 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 1, 2025 | Kokanee | 20,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 1, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 2, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,302 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 16, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 3, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 2,662 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 10, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 23,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| January 23, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 22 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 19, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 2, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2016 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 19, 2014 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 9, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 463 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 2013 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2012 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 31, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 463 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 13, 2011 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 447 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 24, 2010 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,575 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 470 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 27, 2009 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 452 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 30, 2008 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 449 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2007 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2007 | Rainbow Trout | 949 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 29, 2006 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2006 | Rainbow Trout | 785 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2005 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 16, 2005 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Frequently asked
When was Mountain Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Mountain Lake was last stocked November 14, 2025 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Mountain Lake?
Mountain Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Mountain Lake stocked?
Mountain Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Mountain Lake stocked?
Mountain Lake has been stocked about 1 times a year — 30 recorded stockings between 2005 and 2025.
How many fish have been stocked in Mountain Lake?
About 336,125 fish have been stocked in Mountain Lake across 30 recorded events since 2005, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Mountain 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 Mountain Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Mountain 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.