Dalton Lake fishing

Dalton Lake fishing has Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. Also recorded: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, and Bullhead Catfish. It is stocked about 8 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 dawn, dusk, and night for Black Crappie.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
April 28, 2026
· Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
16
Since 2025
Species stocked
1 (+6 also recorded)
Average size
11.9 in
Surface acres
45.1
Elevation
443 ft

Fish at Dalton Lake

1 stocked · 6 confirmed present

Around the dates Dalton Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 46.1°F in March, 54.9°F in April, 37.8°F in February, 65.3°F in May. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 16 plants · last April 28, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked April 28, 2026 · avg 11.9 in · 16 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

This narrow lake is planted in late winter and spring with catchable-size Rainbow Trout, also receiving larger triploid Rainbow trout in April. Trout fishing is good but short-lived with few trout caught after June 1. Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and bullhead catfish are also present. Fishing for Yellow Perch is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May. (wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

How Dalton Lake is stocked

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

About 693 reported fish per acre, the most of 3 lakes in Franklin County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 2025

14,805

Fish stocked in 2026

16,435

Stocking history

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 28, 2026Rainbow Trout7515.3 inreport
April 21, 2026Rainbow Trout1,00010 inreport
March 25, 2026Rainbow Trout1,62010.2 inreport
March 25, 2026Rainbow Trout3,4459.8 inreport
March 25, 2026Rainbow Trout7515.2 inreport
March 6, 2026Rainbow Trout5,0709.8 inreport
March 6, 2026Rainbow Trout15014.8 inreport
February 18, 2026Rainbow Trout5,00010 inreport
May 29, 2025Rainbow Trout8015.3 inreport
April 21, 2025Rainbow Trout1,00010 inreport
April 2, 2025Rainbow Trout7515.3 inreport
March 31, 2025Rainbow Trout2,25010 inreport
March 18, 2025Rainbow Trout3,75010 inreport
March 17, 2025Rainbow Trout2,50010 inreport
March 12, 2025Rainbow Trout15015.3 inreport
March 4, 2025Rainbow Trout5,00010 inreport

Access and facts

A narrow 45-acre lake on the north side of the Snake River, about five miles northeast of Ice Harbor Dam. The Army Corps of Engineers provides a public access with a boat launch at the end of Herman Road, off the Pasco-Kahlotus Road. Public land surrounds the lake, so shore access is good.

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 Dalton Lake

Trout fishing success gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. In winter, successful fishing for Yellow Perch involves targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice. Additionally, anglers can have great success fishing for Black Crappie through the ice during winter when conditions are safe. (wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

Nearest lakes

Hood Park Ponds 11.6 mi last stocked May 1, 2026 Quarry Pond 12.2 mi last stocked April 8, 2026 Columbia Park Pond 17.3 mi last stocked April 16, 2026 Powerline Lake 26.9 mi last stocked April 22, 2026 Lions Park Pond 26.9 mi last stocked May 28, 2026

Public land at Dalton Lake

Dalton Lake is less than 0.1 miles outside the edge of Columbia Plateau Trail State Park.

Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.

Common questions

What fish are at Dalton Lake?

Fishing Dalton Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 16 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked April 28, 2026, averaging 11.9 in. Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie, plus 2 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Dalton Lake stocked?

Last stocked April 28, 2026. It is stocked about 8 times a year since 2025, most often in March and April. About 693 reported fish per acre, the most of 3 lakes in Franklin County with both a fish count and a surface area.

How big are the fish stocked at Dalton Lake?

Rainbow Trout stocked at Dalton Lake average 11.9 in.

How do you get on Dalton Lake?

A narrow 45-acre lake on the north side of the Snake River, about five miles northeast of Ice Harbor Dam. The Army Corps of Engineers provides a public access with a boat launch at the end of Herman Road, off the Pasco-Kahlotus Road. Public land surrounds the lake, so shore access is good.

Which lakes near Dalton Lake were stocked more recently?

Hood Park Ponds (11.6 mi) and Lions Park Pond (26.9 mi) were stocked more recently. Hood Park Ponds is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Lions Park Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Sources (1) +