Rotary Lake Fish Stocking
Yakima County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Rotary Lake was last stocked May 13, 2026 with Channel Catfish. Rotary Lake has 284 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 442,392 fish stocked over that period.
When Rotary Lake is stocked
Rotary Lake is typically stocked in winter and spring, most often in April — 48 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Rotary Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Yakima County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Rotary 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 Rotary Lake was last stocked May 13, 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 Rotary 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.
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 Rotary 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.
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 Rotary Lake, freshest activity first.
Sandstone Lake
19 miYakima County · 1 species · 9 records
Last stocked July 2026
Lost Lake
26 miYakima County · 2 species · 112 records
Last stocked May 2026
Wenas Lake
15 miYakima County · 3 species · 147 records
Last stocked May 2026
Myron Lake
2 miYakima County · 3 species · 201 records
Last stocked March 2026
Long Lake
26 miYakima County · 2 species · 27 records
Last stocked August 2025
Bear Lake
25 miYakima County · 2 species · 66 records
Last stocked May 2025
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2026 | Channel Catfish | 400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 2,016 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 31, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 18, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,120 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 24, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 2,530 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 6, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 26 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 6, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 93 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2025 | Channel Catfish | 400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 28, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,016 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 2, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 19, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 26, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,530 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 4, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 83 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| December 4, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 42 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 1, 2024 | Channel Catfish | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 6, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,076 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 25, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 3,150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 26, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,519 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 6, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 79 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 6, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 56 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 3, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,004 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 3,150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 28, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,640 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 10, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 56 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 10, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 84 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 22, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 18, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 3,120 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 1, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 23, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 130 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,035 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 16, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 3,150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 2, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,640 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 17, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 25 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 17, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 126 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,016 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 1, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 25, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 3,150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 25, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| January 28, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 27, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 26, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 3,120 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 19, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,520 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| January 7, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 29 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| January 7, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 121 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 284 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Rotary Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Rotary Lake was last stocked May 13, 2026 with Channel Catfish.
What fish species are stocked in Rotary Lake?
Rotary Lake is stocked with Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Black Crappie, Brook Trout, and Largemouth Bass.
What time of year is Rotary Lake stocked?
Rotary Lake is typically stocked in winter and spring, most often in April.
How often is Rotary Lake stocked?
Rotary Lake has been stocked about 9 times a year — 284 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Rotary Lake?
About 442,392 fish have been stocked in Rotary Lake across 284 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Rotary 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 Rotary Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Rotary 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.