Rainbow Trout Stocked · 15 plants · last May 13, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk Horsethief Lake fishing
Horsethief Lake fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout on a reservoir. Also recorded: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black and White Crappie, and 6 more. It is stocked about 7.5 times a year since 2025, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Black and White Crappie, and dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch and Bluegill.
- Last stocked
- May 13, 2026
- · Rainbow Trout
- Plants on record
- 15
- Since 2025
- Species stocked
- 1 (+12 also recorded)
- Average size
- 13.7 in
- Surface acres
- 84.5
- Elevation
- 163 ft
Fish at Horsethief Lake
Around the dates Horsethief Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 52.2°F in April, 61.5°F in May. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 15 plants · last May 13, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk 
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth Bass species guide
Walleye Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Walleye species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Black and White Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Black and White Crappie species guide
Brown Bullhead Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Brown Bullhead species guide Yellow Bullhead Confirmed present
Pumpkinseed Confirmed present Best: dusk Best: dusk
Pumpkinseed species guide Warmouth Confirmed present
Common Carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Common Carp species guide Northern Pikeminnow Confirmed present
Horsethief Lake has been planted with rainbow trout since the 1960s, with thousands of catchable rainbow trout planted in spring. Several thousand more catchable rainbow are planted before Memorial Day. Horsethief Lake also contains largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, bullheads, and an occasional walleye. (wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Horsethief Lake is stocked
About 428 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 3 lakes in Klickitat County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2025
18,100
Fish stocked in 2026
18,100
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10 in | report |
| May 6, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10 in | report |
| April 22, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 70 | 28.1 in | report |
| April 22, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 19.2 in | report |
| April 20, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10 in | report |
| April 14, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10 in | report |
| April 13, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10 in | report |
| April 8, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10 in | report |
| May 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 9.6 in | report |
| May 5, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10 in | report |
| April 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | 19.5 in | report |
| April 24, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 70 | 30 in | report |
| April 22, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10 in | report |
| April 15, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | 10 in | report |
| April 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 6,000 | 9.6 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- reservoir
- Nearest town
- Lyle
- Facilities
- camping, restrooms
Inside Columbia Hills Historical State Park near Lyle, between SR-14 and the Columbia River, which the lake connects to. The park has a boat ramp (day launch fee), picnic areas, restrooms, and camping, and shore access runs through the park.
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.
About Horsethief Lake
Nearest lakes
Public land at Horsethief Lake
Horsethief Lake is inside Columbia Hills State Park.
Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.
Common questions
What fish are at Horsethief Lake?
Fishing Horsethief Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 15 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked May 13, 2026, averaging 13.7 in. Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass, plus 8 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Horsethief Lake stocked?
Last stocked May 13, 2026. It is stocked about 7.5 times a year since 2025, most often in April and May. About 428 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 3 lakes in Klickitat County with both a fish count and a surface area.
How big are the fish stocked at Horsethief Lake?
Rainbow Trout stocked at Horsethief Lake average 13.7 in.
How do you get on Horsethief Lake?
The nearest town is Lyle. Facilities include camping and restrooms. Inside Columbia Hills Historical State Park near Lyle, between SR-14 and the Columbia River, which the lake connects to. The park has a boat ramp (day launch fee), picnic areas, restrooms, and camping, and shore access runs through the park.
Which lakes near Horsethief Lake were stocked more recently?
Spearfish Lake (1.8 mi), Rowland Lake (14.1 mi), and Goose Lake (37.9 mi) were stocked more recently. Spearfish Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Rowland Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Goose Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.