Rainbow Trout Stocked · 12 plants · last May 15, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk Deer Lake fishing
Deer Lake fishing has Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 6 times a year since 2025, most often in February and April. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.
- Last stocked
- May 15, 2026
- · Rainbow Trout
- Plants on record
- 12
- Since 2025
- Species recorded
- 1
- Average size
- 12.2 in
- Surface acres
- 2.1
- Elevation
- 2,270 ft
Fish at Deer Lake
Around the dates Deer Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 47.8°F in April, 35.6°F in February, 56.8°F in May, 41.4°F in March. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 12 plants · last May 15, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk Deer Lake in Columbia County is a small bank fishing only lake, located within the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wooten Wildlife Area. It is stocked with 10-12 inch rainbow trout, plus some jumbo rainbows. Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring, remaining high into June, and can improve again in the fall. (wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Deer Lake is stocked
About 2,647 reported fish per acre, 3rd most of 4 lakes in Columbia County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2025
3,239
Fish stocked in 2026
2,320
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10 in | report |
| April 9, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 75 | 15.3 in | report |
| April 9, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 720 | 10.2 in | report |
| February 24, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | 10 in | report |
| February 24, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 25 | 14.8 in | report |
| May 8, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10 in | report |
| April 30, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 25 | 15.3 in | report |
| April 15, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 10 in | report |
| April 4, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 15.3 in | report |
| March 18, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,125 | 10 in | report |
| February 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 25 | 15.2 in | report |
| February 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 1,014 | 9.8 in | report |
Access and facts
- Nearest town
- Pomeroy, WA
A 2.1-acre bank-fishing lake on WDFW's W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area along the Tucannon River. Drive south past Rainbow Lake, then walk an administrative road about 0.3 mile past a locked gate. Wooten campgrounds with vault toilets are nearby; parking needs a Discover Pass or Vehicle Access Pass.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before you go.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Deer Lake?
Fishing Deer Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 12 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked May 15, 2026, averaging 12.2 in.
When is Deer Lake stocked?
Last stocked May 15, 2026. It is stocked about 6 times a year since 2025, most often in February and April. About 2,647 reported fish per acre, 3rd most of 4 lakes in Columbia County with both a fish count and a surface area.
How big are the fish stocked at Deer Lake?
Rainbow Trout stocked at Deer Lake average 12.2 in.
How do you get on Deer Lake?
The nearest town is Pomeroy, WA. A 2.1-acre bank-fishing lake on WDFW's W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area along the Tucannon River. Drive south past Rainbow Lake, then walk an administrative road about 0.3 mile past a locked gate. Wooten campgrounds with vault toilets are nearby; parking needs a Discover Pass or Vehicle Access Pass.
Which lakes near Deer Lake were stocked more recently?
Watson Lake (1.4 mi), Spring Lake (2.3 mi), and Curl Lake (3.6 mi) were stocked more recently. Watson Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Spring Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Curl Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.