Black Lake fishing

Black Lake fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout on a natural lake. Also recorded: Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Brown Bullhead, and 4 more. It is stocked about 5 times a year since 2025, most often in March and April. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch and Bluegill, and dawn, dusk, and night for Black Crappie and Rock Bass.

Black Lake
Photo: United States Geological Survey, Public domain
Last stocked
April 15, 2026
· Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
10
Since 2025
Species stocked
1 (+10 also recorded)
Average size
11 in
Surface acres
573.7
Elevation
130 ft

Fish at Black Lake

1 stocked · 10 confirmed present

Around the dates Black Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 44.3°F in March, 49.1°F in April, 45.4°F in November. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 10 plants · last April 15, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked April 15, 2026 · avg 11 in · 10 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

Logjams were built in Black Lake Ditch and in the stormwater wetland, Black Lake Meadows. Using trees and root balls that were removed from a local road project, the logjams were to help increase the migration and spawning grounds for coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

How Black Lake is stocked

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

About 91 reported fish per acre, 13th most of 14 lakes in Thurston County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 2025

30,160

Fish stocked in 2026

21,750

Stocking history

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 15, 2026Rainbow Trout10012.5 inreport
March 23, 2026Rainbow Trout14,63510.3 inreport
March 17, 2026Rainbow Trout7,01510 inreport
November 24, 2025Rainbow Trout3,00012.3 inreport
April 15, 2025Rainbow Trout14513 inreport
March 26, 2025Rainbow Trout9,46010.6 inreport
March 25, 2025Rainbow Trout9,10610.6 inreport
March 25, 2025Rainbow Trout3,25710.3 inreport
March 24, 2025Rainbow Trout3,31010.3 inreport
March 24, 2025Rainbow Trout1,88210.1 inreport

Access and facts

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

WDFW's southeast-end launch has a concrete ramp, boarding float, and ADA restroom. Kenneydell Park on the east shore has a public dock, picnic and swim areas; Guerin Park is undeveloped shoreline. Two private resorts add ramps and docks. About 4 miles southwest of Olympia.

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

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

About Black Lake

Photo of Black Lake
United States Geological Survey, Public domain

Nearest lakes

Munn Lake 4.7 mi last stocked April 15, 2026 Ward Lake 5 mi last stocked April 21, 2026 Summit Lake 7.4 mi last stocked May 15, 2026 Hicks Lake 8.6 mi last stocked April 21, 2026 Offutt Lake 8.8 mi last stocked May 15, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Black Lake?

Fishing Black Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 10 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked April 15, 2026, averaging 11 in. Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Yellow Perch, plus 6 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Black Lake stocked?

Last stocked April 15, 2026. It is stocked about 5 times a year since 2025, most often in March and April. About 91 reported fish per acre, 13th most of 14 lakes in Thurston County with both a fish count and a surface area.

How big are the fish stocked at Black Lake?

Rainbow Trout stocked at Black Lake average 11 in.

How do you get on Black Lake?

The nearest town is Olympia, WA. Facilities include restrooms and dock. WDFW's southeast-end launch has a concrete ramp, boarding float, and ADA restroom. Kenneydell Park on the east shore has a public dock, picnic and swim areas; Guerin Park is undeveloped shoreline. Two private resorts add ramps and docks. About 4 miles southwest of Olympia.

Which lakes near Black Lake were stocked more recently?

Ward Lake (5 mi), Summit Lake (7.4 mi), Hicks Lake (8.6 mi), and Offutt Lake (8.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Ward Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Summit Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Hicks Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Offutt Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Sources (5) +