Potholes Reservoir Fish Stocking
Grant County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Potholes Reservoir was last stocked June 9, 2026 with Channel Catfish. Potholes Reservoir has 114 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 3,937,294 fish stocked over that period.
When Potholes Reservoir is stocked
Potholes Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 31 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Potholes Reservoir
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Grant County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Potholes Reservoir, 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 Potholes Reservoir was last stocked June 9, 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 Potholes Reservoir:
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.
Catfish Rigging
Fish a Carolina slip-sinker bottom rig with a 1/2 to 1 oz egg sinker, swivel, and 1/0–3/0 circle hook. Baits such as chicken liver, cut baitfish (shad), nightcrawlers, and stink baits produce best during early morning, dusk, or night in deeper holes.
Bass & Panfish Approach
Target visible structure such as docks, weed lines, and fallen trees. Small 1/32 to 1/16 oz jig heads with soft plastic grubs or live worms under a float work well for crappie and bluegill; soft plastic worms or spinnerbaits work well for bass.
Channel Catfish Profile Tips
Popular with bait anglers using cut bait, worms, or prepared 'stink bait'; often stocked specifically for summer evening fishing.
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 Potholes Reservoir
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.
Heavy Duty Offset Circle Hooks (1/0–3/0)
Circle hooks naturally turn into the corner of a catfish's jaw as it turns, preventing gut-hooking and improving hookup rates.
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 Potholes Reservoir, freshest activity first.
Moses Lake
9 miGrant County · 7 species · 132 records
Last stocked June 2026
Goldeneye Lake
5 miGrant County · 1 species · 26 records
Last stocked May 2026
Chukar Lake
5 miGrant County · 1 species · 31 records
Last stocked May 2026
Pillar Lake
7 miGrant County · 1 species · 38 records
Last stocked May 2026
Widgeon Lake
7 miGrant County · 1 species · 32 records
Last stocked May 2026
Black Lake
8 miChelan County · 6 species · 113 records
Last stocked May 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 9, 2026 | Channel Catfish | 3,050 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2026 | Channel Catfish | 950 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 3, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 71,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 22, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 14,706 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 6, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2025 | Channel Catfish | 1,950 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 10, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 69,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 69,947 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 31,275 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 31, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 5,059 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 12, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,932 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 27, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 37,231 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 33,703 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 33,016 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 19, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 35,652 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 5, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 33,784 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 52,839 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 57,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 20, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 85,690 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 53,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 44,302 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 20, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 27,201 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 21, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 33,080 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 16, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 3,020 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 34,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 23, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 23,667 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 23, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 41,235 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 15, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 38,751 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 3,102 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 16, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 13,791 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 57,624 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 22, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 42,161 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 3, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 3,045 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 15, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 39,680 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 38,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 81,700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 9, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 40,228 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 23, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 44,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 28, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 40,502 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 2, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 14,460 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 21, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 40,251 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 53,680 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 30,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 6, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 12,821 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| September 24, 2014 | Channel Catfish | 3,001 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 50,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 27,203 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 50,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 28,160 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 114 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Potholes Reservoir last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Potholes Reservoir was last stocked June 9, 2026 with Channel Catfish.
What fish species are stocked in Potholes Reservoir?
Potholes Reservoir is stocked with Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Walleye.
What time of year is Potholes Reservoir stocked?
Potholes Reservoir is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Potholes Reservoir stocked?
Potholes Reservoir has been stocked about 4 times a year — 114 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Potholes Reservoir?
About 3,937,294 fish have been stocked in Potholes Reservoir across 114 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Potholes Reservoir?
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 Potholes Reservoir?
Freshly stocked trout in Potholes Reservoir 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.