Wapato Lake Fish Stocking
Chelan County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Wapato Lake was last stocked June 2, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Wapato Lake has 149 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 2,994,056 fish stocked over that period.
When Wapato Lake is stocked
Wapato Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 61 stocking events in that peak month.
By species
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Wapato Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in Chelan County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Wapato 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 Wapato Lake was last stocked June 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 Wapato 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.
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.
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.
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 Wapato 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.
Gary Yamamoto 5-inch Custom Senko Stickbaits
The heavy salt-impregnated plastic produces a unique horizontal shimmy on the fall around weed beds, docks, and submerged timber.
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 Wapato Lake, freshest activity first.
Lake Chelan
12 miChelan County · 3 species · 41 records
Last stocked May 2026
Lake Chelan
12 miChelan County · 2 species · 17 records
Last stocked May 2026
Alta Lake
13 miOkanogan County · 5 species · 142 records
Last stocked May 2026
Roses Lake
1 miChelan County · 6 species · 223 records
Last stocked May 2026
Chelan River
11 miChelan County · 2 species · 132 records
Last stocked April 2026
Antilon Lake North
4 miChelan County · 2 species · 13 records
Last stocked April 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 31,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 12,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 13,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 47,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 23, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2025 | Kokanee | 21,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 50,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 39,718 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 10,282 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 4, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2024 | Kokanee | 22,780 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 7,080 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 34,220 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 42,750 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 21 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 280 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 23, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2023 | Kokanee | 21,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 46,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 4, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 54,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 18 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 282 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 10, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 60,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2022 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 40,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 283 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 17 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| November 3, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,995 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 25, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 9,700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2021 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 19, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 28,080 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 26, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 72,216 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 26, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 5, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| October 29, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,940 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 20,245 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2020 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2020 | Kokanee | 7,700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 7,689 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 40,611 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 51,700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 4, 2019 | Kokanee | 25,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 149 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Wapato Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Wapato Lake was last stocked June 2, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Wapato Lake?
Wapato Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Steelhead, and Black Crappie.
What time of year is Wapato Lake stocked?
Wapato Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Wapato Lake stocked?
Wapato Lake has been stocked about 5 times a year — 149 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Wapato Lake?
About 2,994,056 fish have been stocked in Wapato Lake across 149 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Wapato 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 Wapato Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Wapato 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.