Hicks Lake fishing

Hicks Lake fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Brown bullhead, and 1 more on a natural lake. It is stocked about 4.5 times a year since 2025, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and Largemouth Bass and dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout.

Hicks Lake
Photo: United States Geological Survey (USGS), Public domain
Last stocked
April 21, 2026
162 days ago · Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
9
Since 2025
Species recorded
1
Average size
11.2 in
Surface acres
162.3
Elevation
182 ft

Fish at Hicks Lake

1 stocked · 7 confirmed present

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 9 plants · last April 21, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked April 21, 2026 · avg 11.2 in · 9 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Black crappie Confirmed present
Black crappie species guide
Bluegill Confirmed present
Bluegill species guide
Brown bullhead Confirmed present
Brown bullhead species guide
Brown trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown trout species guide
Largemouth bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk

Best: dawn, dusk

Largemouth bass species guide
Yellow perch Confirmed present
Yellow perch species guide

How Hicks Lake is stocked

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

About 98 reported fish per acre, 11th most of 14 lakes in Thurston County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 2025

9,034

Fish stocked in 2026

6,933

Stocking history

Showing 5 of 9 plants Showing 9 plants

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 21, 2026 Rainbow Trout 2,600 10.4 in report
April 20, 2026 Rainbow Trout 1,833 12.5 in report
April 17, 2026 Rainbow Trout 2,500 10.4 in report
May 29, 2025 Rainbow Trout 1,071 10.6 in report
May 28, 2025 Rainbow Trout 1,003 11.2 in report
May 12, 2025 Rainbow Trout 1,000 10.9 in report
April 22, 2025 Rainbow Trout 1,230 10.9 in report
April 21, 2025 Rainbow Trout 1,720 13 in report
April 21, 2025 Rainbow Trout 3,010 10.7 in report
Show all 9 plants + Show less

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes

Shoreline access: Good. Shoreline access at public boat launch and Wanschers park on the west shore. WDFW maintains a public water access area on this lake.

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About Hicks Lake

Photo of Hicks Lake
United States Geological Survey (USGS), Public domain

Nearest lakes

Long Lake 0.9 mi last stocked April 23, 2026 Longs Pond 1.3 mi last stocked May 15, 2026 Pattison Lake 2.1 mi last stocked April 24, 2026 Ward Lake 3.7 mi last stocked April 21, 2026 Lake St. Clair 4 mi last stocked May 6, 2026

Camping near Hicks Lake

Campgrounds within 15 miles of Hicks Lake's mapped point, nearest first: Millersylvania State Park camping (9.2 miles), Hope Island Marine State Park - Mason County camping (13 miles), Margaret McKenny Campground (13.9 miles), Joemma Beach State Park camping (14.1 miles), and Middle Waddell Campground (14.2 miles), each with its own campground page on campgroundsdb.com.

Straight-line distances.

Common questions

What fish are at Hicks Lake?

Fishing Hicks Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 9 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked April 21, 2026, averaging 11.2 in. Black crappie, Bluegill, Brown bullhead, and Brown trout, plus 2 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Hicks Lake stocked?

Last stocked April 21, 2026. It is stocked about 4.5 times a year since 2025, most often in April and May. About 98 reported fish per acre, 11th most of 14 lakes in Thurston County with both a fish count and a surface area.

How big are the fish stocked at Hicks Lake?

Rainbow Trout stocked at Hicks Lake average 11.2 in.

How do you get on Hicks Lake?

Shore fishing is available and there is a boat ramp. Shoreline access: Good. Shoreline access at public boat launch and Wanschers park on the west shore. WDFW maintains a public water access area on this lake.

Which lakes near Hicks Lake were stocked more recently?

Long Lake (0.9 mi), Longs Pond (1.3 mi), Pattison Lake (2.1 mi), and Lake St. Clair (4 mi) were stocked more recently. Long Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Longs Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Pattison Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Lake St. Clair is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Sources (1) +