Swofford Pond Fish Stocking
Lewis County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Swofford Pond was last stocked May 27, 2026 with Channel Catfish. Swofford Pond has 191 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 4,806,049 fish stocked over that period.
When Swofford Pond is stocked
Swofford Pond is typically stocked in spring, most often in March — 64 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Swofford Pond
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Lewis County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Swofford Pond, 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 Swofford Pond was last stocked May 27, 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 Swofford Pond:
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.
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).
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 Swofford Pond
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 Swofford Pond, freshest activity first.
Mayfield Reservoir
7 miLewis County · 5 species · 420 records
Last stocked July 2026
Goose Lake
12 miLewis County · 2 species · 17 records
Last stocked July 2026
Green River
12 mi3 species · 236 records
Last stocked June 2026
Riffe Lake
5 miLewis County · 6 species · 227 records
Last stocked June 2026
Green River
12 miKing County · 3 species · 156 records
Last stocked June 2026
Connelly Creek
8 miWhatcom County · 3 species · 28 records
Last stocked March 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2026 | Channel Catfish | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 20, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 5,400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 26, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 5,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 19, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 5,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 12, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2025 | Channel Catfish | 1,950 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 27, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 25, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 13, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 26, 2024 | Channel Catfish | 1,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 28, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 5,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 14, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 5,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 23, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 5,400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 16, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 11,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 4,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 5,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 10, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 10, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 6,380 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 10, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,900 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 480 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,140 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 24, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 24, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 3,240 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 18, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 11, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 720 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 26, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 3,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 19, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 12, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 22, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 5,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 5,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 28, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 5,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 21, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 5,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 14, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 14, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 2,750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 3,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 3,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 4,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 191 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Swofford Pond last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Swofford Pond was last stocked May 27, 2026 with Channel Catfish.
What fish species are stocked in Swofford Pond?
Swofford Pond is stocked with Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, and Sturgeon General.
What time of year is Swofford Pond stocked?
Swofford Pond is typically stocked in spring, most often in March.
How often is Swofford Pond stocked?
Swofford Pond has been stocked about 6 times a year — 191 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Swofford Pond?
About 4,806,049 fish have been stocked in Swofford Pond across 191 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Swofford Pond?
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 Swofford Pond?
Freshly stocked trout in Swofford Pond 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.