Wilderness Lake Fish Stocking
King County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Wilderness Lake was last stocked April 13, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Wilderness Lake has 101 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 789,064 fish stocked over that period.
When Wilderness Lake is stocked
Wilderness Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 63 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Wilderness Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in King County, Washington.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Wilderness 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 Wilderness Lake was last stocked April 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 Wilderness 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.
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 Wilderness 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.
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Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Wilderness Lake, freshest activity first.
Shadow Lake
3 miKing County · 2 species · 45 records
Last stocked May 2026
Grass Lake
4 miMason County · 1 species · 23 records
Last stocked May 2026
Lake Sawyer
3 miKing County · 4 species · 102 records
Last stocked May 2026
Spring Lake
5 miKing County · 1 species · 47 records
Last stocked May 2026
Lake Meridian
6 miKing County · 2 species · 164 records
Last stocked May 2026
Shady Lake
5 miKing County · 1 species · 34 records
Last stocked April 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 13, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 10,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 7,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 8,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 2,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 10,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 3,800 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 12, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 7,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 13, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,268 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 28, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 27, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 4,002 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 4,036 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 3,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 8,658 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 10, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 8,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2016 | Kokanee | 20,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 1,300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 11, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 10,700 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 492 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 2,600 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 4,200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 20, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 5,330 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2015 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 2, 2014 | Kokanee | 20,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 8,085 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 21, 2014 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 3, 2013 | Kokanee | 20,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 25, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 9, 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 9,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 12, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2012 | Kokanee | 20,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 23, 2012 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2011 | Kokanee | 20,066 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 4, 2011 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 23, 2010 | Kokanee | 11,917 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 15, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 14, 2010 | Rainbow Trout | 12,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 5, 2009 | Kokanee | 30,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 7, 2009 | Rainbow Trout | 15,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 21, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 4,198 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 22, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 16, 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 10,965 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 101 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Wilderness Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Wilderness Lake was last stocked April 13, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Wilderness Lake?
Wilderness Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, and Cutthroat Trout.
What time of year is Wilderness Lake stocked?
Wilderness Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Wilderness Lake stocked?
Wilderness Lake has been stocked about 3 times a year — 101 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Wilderness Lake?
About 789,064 fish have been stocked in Wilderness Lake across 101 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Wilderness 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 Wilderness Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Wilderness 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.