Crater Lake fishing

Fishing at Crater Lake has Rainbow Trout, Coho Salmon, and Arctic Char on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.7 times a year since 1961, most often in June and July. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

June 10, 2026

Plants on record

46

Since 1961

Species recorded

3

Average size

2.1 in

Elevation

2,622 ft

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How Crater Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of July. In 2026 it was June 10, 2026, earlier than usual.

No plants recorded in 25 years between 1961 and 2026.

Tex Smith Lake (2.8 mi) was stocked more recently. Tex Smith Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Coho Salmon, and Arctic Char.

Fish at Crater Lake

Fishing Crater Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 33 of 46 plants on record, ahead of Arctic Char and one more.

Rainbow Trout 33 plants
Plants
33 of 46
Last stocked
June 10, 2026
Average length
2.1 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Arctic Char 7 plants
Plants
7 of 46
Last stocked
May 29, 2025
Average length
2.3 in
Coho Salmon 6 plants
Plants
6 of 46
Last stocked
June 25, 1982
Average length
2.1 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Coho Salmon guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2,0001961
  • 1,0001966
  • 4,0001968
  • 8,0001969
  • 13,8001970
  • 7,0001972
  • 4,0001973
  • 5,0001976
  • 2,5001977
  • 2,0001978
  • 4,0261979
  • 4,9961981
  • 6,0721982
  • 2,6501984
  • 3,1851986
  • 3,2001988
  • 3,2001990
  • 3,4001992
  • 3,2001994
  • 3,2001996
  • 3,6001999
  • 3,2002001
  • 2,5172003
  • 3,1932004
  • 3,0002006
  • 4,0002008
  • 3,2002010
  • 2,2472012
  • 2,0002014
  • 1,5002015
  • 2,0002016
  • 1,5002017
  • 2,0002018
  • 1,5062019
  • 2,0002020
  • 1,5002021
  • 2,0022022
  • 1,5032023
  • 2,0312024
  • 1,5002025
  • 2,0002026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 46 plants Showing 46 plants

Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 10, 2026 Rainbow Trout 2,000 2.3 in report
May 29, 2025 Arctic Char 1,500 2 in report
June 11, 2024 Rainbow Trout 2,031 2.2 in report
June 8, 2023 Arctic Char 1,503 1.9 in report
June 16, 2022 Rainbow Trout 2,002 2.4 in report
June 10, 2021 Arctic Char 1,500 1.9 in report
June 9, 2020 Rainbow Trout 2,000 2.5 in report
June 10, 2019 Arctic Char 1,506 2.4 in report
June 12, 2018 Rainbow Trout 2,000 2.5 in report
June 5, 2017 Arctic Char 1,500 2 in report
May 31, 2016 Rainbow Trout 2,000 2.4 in report
June 11, 2015 Arctic Char 1,500 2.2 in report
June 12, 2014 Rainbow Trout 2,000 2.7 in report
June 26, 2012 Rainbow Trout 2,247 3.6 in report
August 17, 2010 Rainbow Trout 3,200 1.8 in report
August 20, 2008 Rainbow Trout 4,000 1.8 in report
September 1, 2006 Rainbow Trout 3,000 1.9 in report
August 9, 2004 Rainbow Trout 3,193 2 in report
August 12, 2003 Rainbow Trout 2,517 1.7 in report
August 22, 2001 Rainbow Trout 3,200 2.2 in report
August 5, 1999 Rainbow Trout 3,600 2.1 in report
July 19, 1996 Rainbow Trout 3,200 1.8 in report
July 16, 1994 Rainbow Trout 1,600 1.9 in report
June 23, 1994 Arctic Char 1,600 3.7 in report
July 30, 1992 Rainbow Trout 3,400 2.1 in report
July 25, 1990 Rainbow Trout 3,200 2.1 in report
August 5, 1988 Rainbow Trout 3,200 2 in report
September 4, 1986 Rainbow Trout 3,185 2.2 in report
July 16, 1984 Rainbow Trout 2,650 2 in report
August 11, 1982 Rainbow Trout 4,990 1.8 in report
June 25, 1982 Coho Salmon 1,082 2.2 in report
September 25, 1981 Rainbow Trout 4,996 2.4 in report
October 10, 1979 Rainbow Trout 4,026 1.6 in report
August 18, 1978 Coho Salmon 2,000 2.6 in report
June 7, 1977 Rainbow Trout 2,500 2.7 in report
June 18, 1976 Coho Salmon 5,000 1.9 in report
July 16, 1973 Coho Salmon 4,000 2 in report
August 14, 1972 Rainbow Trout 7,000 1.7 in report
July 1, 1970 Coho Salmon 6,900 – report
July 1, 1970 Coho Salmon 6,900 1.7 in report
July 17, 1969 Rainbow Trout 4,000 – report
July 17, 1969 Rainbow Trout 4,000 1.4 in report
July 29, 1968 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
July 29, 1968 Rainbow Trout 2,000 1.5 in report
July 14, 1966 Rainbow Trout 1,000 1.6 in report
September 11, 1961 Rainbow Trout 2,000 – report
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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

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