American Lake fishing

American Lake fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout on a natural lake. Also recorded: Kokanee, Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, and 2 more. It is stocked about 6 times a year since 2025, most often in March and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, and Largemouth Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch, and dawn, dusk, and night for Rock Bass.

American Lake
Photo: ECTran71, CC BY-SA 4.0
Last stocked
June 22, 2026
· Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
12
Since 2025
Species stocked
1 (+8 also recorded)
Average size
11.1 in
Surface acres
1,091.3
Elevation
238 ft

Fish at American Lake

1 stocked · 8 confirmed present

Around the dates American Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 55.4°F in May, 43.6°F in March, 44.8°F in November, 48.5°F in April. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 12 plants · last June 22, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked June 22, 2026 · avg 11.1 in · 12 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

Anglers seek cutthroat trout, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, rock bass, smallmouth bass, Sockeye salmon (kokanee) and yellow perch. A fishing dock is located at Harry Todd Park. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife regularly monitors the health of the fishery and stocks favored species regularly. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

How American Lake is stocked

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

About 33 reported fish per acre, 17th most of 20 lakes in Pierce County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 2025

18,908

Fish stocked in 2026

17,158

Stocking history

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 22, 2026Rainbow Trout1,92911 inreport
May 28, 2026Rainbow Trout4,00010.6 inreport
May 15, 2026Rainbow Trout10012.8 inreport
May 15, 2026Rainbow Trout2,12411.8 inreport
April 13, 2026Rainbow Trout4,00110.6 inreport
March 23, 2026Rainbow Trout5,00410.2 inreport
November 26, 2025Rainbow Trout1,22212.3 inreport
November 24, 2025Rainbow Trout2,50712.3 inreport
May 27, 2025Rainbow Trout3,47610.6 inreport
May 16, 2025Rainbow Trout2,51910.6 inreport
May 6, 2025Rainbow Trout4,14010.4 inreport
March 24, 2025Rainbow Trout5,0449.8 inreport

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Lakewood, WA
Facilities
restrooms, dock

WDFW's concrete launch on the south shore, on Camp Murray land, has two restrooms and a big area for bank fishing. American Lake North Park has a second public launch and Harry Todd Park a fishing dock. Russell Landing Marina, on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, adds a launch and boat rentals.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before you go.

About American Lake

Photo of American Lake
ECTran71, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo of American Lake
Bri, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo of American Lake
Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nearest lakes

Lake Louise 2.2 mi last stocked June 5, 2026 Steilacoom Lake 2.7 mi last stocked April 2, 2026 Spanaway Lake 5.8 mi last stocked February 24, 2026 Florence Lake 6.2 mi last stocked April 15, 2025 Lake St. Clair 11.5 mi last stocked May 6, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at American Lake?

Fishing American Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 12 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked June 22, 2026, averaging 11.1 in. Kokanee, Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass, plus 4 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is American Lake stocked?

Last stocked June 22, 2026. It is stocked about 6 times a year since 2025, most often in March and May. About 33 reported fish per acre, 17th most of 20 lakes in Pierce County with both a fish count and a surface area.

How big are the fish stocked at American Lake?

Rainbow Trout stocked at American Lake average 11.1 in.

How do you get on American Lake?

The nearest town is Lakewood, WA. Facilities include restrooms and dock. WDFW's concrete launch on the south shore, on Camp Murray land, has two restrooms and a big area for bank fishing. American Lake North Park has a second public launch and Harry Todd Park a fishing dock. Russell Landing Marina, on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, adds a launch and boat rentals.

Sources (5) +