Steilacoom Lake Fish Stocking
Pierce County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Steilacoom Lake was last stocked April 2, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Steilacoom Lake has 94 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 3,983,378 fish stocked over that period.
When Steilacoom Lake is stocked
Steilacoom Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in March — 37 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Steilacoom Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Pierce County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Steilacoom 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 Steilacoom Lake was last stocked April 2, 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 Steilacoom 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).
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.
Chinook Salmon Profile Tips
A major sport and tribal fishery in Washington; trolled or jigged in Montana's larger reservoirs.
Recommended Tackle for Steilacoom 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.
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 Steilacoom Lake, freshest activity first.
American Lake
3 miPierce County · 5 species · 369 records
Last stocked June 2026
Lake Louise
1 miPierce County · 1 species · 69 records
Last stocked June 2026
Chambers Creek
2 miPierce County · 4 species · 459 records
Last stocked May 2026
Wapato Lake
4 miPierce County · 1 species · 68 records
Last stocked May 2026
Carter Lake
2 miPierce County · 1 species · 37 records
Last stocked May 2024
Murray Creek
3 miPierce County · 2 species · 8 records
Last stocked May 2018
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 31, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 4,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 23, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 5,004 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,144 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 16, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 26, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 5,100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 20, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 17, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 5,002 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 31, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,160 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 23, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 3,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 17, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 27, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 6, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 8,268 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| July 11, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 3,037 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 27, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 23, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 650 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 2,266 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 14, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 2,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 10, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 4,960 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 20, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 5,067 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 5, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 98 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 3,250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 20, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 20, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,250 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 6, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 5, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 4, 2011 | Chinook Salmon | 54,707 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 437 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 30, 2010 | Chinook Salmon | 52,549 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 9, 2010 | Chinook Salmon | 22,249 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 1, 2010 | Chinook Salmon | 144,669 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| February 24, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2009 | Coho Salmon | 44,454 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 19, 2009 | Coho Salmon | 38,030 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 98 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 12, 2009 | Chinook Salmon | 13,720 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 94 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Steilacoom Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Steilacoom Lake was last stocked April 2, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Steilacoom Lake?
Steilacoom Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon, and Coho Salmon.
What time of year is Steilacoom Lake stocked?
Steilacoom Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in March.
How often is Steilacoom Lake stocked?
Steilacoom Lake has been stocked about 3 times a year — 94 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Steilacoom Lake?
About 3,983,378 fish have been stocked in Steilacoom Lake across 94 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Steilacoom 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 Steilacoom Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Steilacoom 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.