Clear Lake fishing

Clear Lake fishing has Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. Also recorded: Kokanee, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Green Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, and 1 more. It is stocked about 5.5 times a year since 2025, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, and Largemouth Bass, dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch, and dusk for Pumpkinseed.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
April 22, 2026
· Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
11
Since 2025
Species stocked
1 (+7 also recorded)
Average size
11 in
Surface acres
173
Elevation
522 ft

Fish at Clear Lake

1 stocked · 7 confirmed present

Around the dates Clear Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 48.7°F in April, 55.5°F in May. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 11 plants · last April 22, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked April 22, 2026 · avg 11 in · 11 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

Clear Lake in Thurston County offers good harvest opportunity for stock rainbow trout and kokanee. The lake also supports naturally reproducing populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass. Rainbow trout are typically caught trolling lures or still-fishing bait under a bobber. Success with kokanee is found fishing with downriggers or leaded line with baited wedding rings or spoons. Green sunfish are present and can be fun for kids to catch. (wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)(bestfishinginamerica.com, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

How Clear Lake is stocked

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

About 183 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 14 lakes in Thurston County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 2025

18,482

Fish stocked in 2026

13,190

Stocking history

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 22, 2026Rainbow Trout3,00010.7 inreport
April 21, 2026Rainbow Trout3,00010.4 inreport
April 17, 2026Rainbow Trout1,19012.5 inreport
April 17, 2026Rainbow Trout3,00010.3 inreport
April 16, 2026Rainbow Trout3,00010.4 inreport
May 29, 2025Rainbow Trout3,11710.6 inreport
May 23, 2025Rainbow Trout2,50811.1 inreport
May 13, 2025Rainbow Trout1,01010.8 inreport
April 25, 2025Rainbow Trout1,15013 inreport
April 17, 2025Rainbow Trout7,17910.8 inreport
April 9, 2025Rainbow Trout3,51810.5 inreport

Access and facts

Nearest town
Yelm
Facilities
restrooms

About 12 miles southeast of Yelm via Bald Hill Road. WDFW's access at the south end has a concrete ramp, two parking lots with 2 accessible stalls, and an ADA restroom, though the ramp has no ADA loading platform. Bank fishing is mostly around the launch. Camping is not offered.

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 Clear Lake

Shore access is good there but somewhat limited, so boat anglers have a significant advantage. (wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)(bestfishinginamerica.com, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

Nearest lakes

Harts Lake 4.8 mi last stocked March 31, 2026 Lake Lawrence 5 mi last stocked May 27, 2026 Rapjohn Lake 8.4 mi last stocked May 26, 2026 Ohop Lake 11 mi last stocked March 31, 2026 Clear Lake 12.1 mi last stocked May 7, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Clear Lake?

Fishing Clear Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 11 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked April 22, 2026, averaging 11 in. Kokanee, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Green Sunfish, plus 3 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Clear Lake stocked?

Last stocked April 22, 2026. It is stocked about 5.5 times a year since 2025, most often in April and May. About 183 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 14 lakes in Thurston County with both a fish count and a surface area.

How big are the fish stocked at Clear Lake?

Rainbow Trout stocked at Clear Lake average 11 in.

How do you get on Clear Lake?

The nearest town is Yelm. Facilities include restrooms. About 12 miles southeast of Yelm via Bald Hill Road. WDFW's access at the south end has a concrete ramp, two parking lots with 2 accessible stalls, and an ADA restroom, though the ramp has no ADA loading platform. Bank fishing is mostly around the launch. Camping is not offered.

Which lakes near Clear Lake were stocked more recently?

Lake Lawrence (5 mi), Rapjohn Lake (8.4 mi), and Clear Lake (12.1 mi) were stocked more recently. Lake Lawrence is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Rapjohn Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Clear Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Sources (4) +