Kress Lake fishing

Kress Lake fishing has Steelhead, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Trout on the stocking report. Also recorded: Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Warmouth, Yellow Perch, and 4 more. It is stocked about 20 times a year since 2025, most often in January and December. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Common Carp, dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch, and dusk and night for Channel Catfish and Brown Bullhead.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
May 6, 2026
· Brown Trout
Plants on record
39
Since 2025
Species stocked
3 (+10 also recorded)
Average size
23.8 in
Surface acres
24.6
Elevation
18 ft

Fish at Kress Lake

3 stocked · 10 confirmed present

Around the dates Kress Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 41.5°F in December, 41.5°F in January, 50°F in April, 46.2°F in November. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Steelhead Stocked · 27 plants · last December 31, 2025

Last stocked December 31, 2025 · avg 30 in · 27 plants

Steelhead species guide
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 10 plants · last April 15, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked April 15, 2026 · avg 10 in · 10 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Brown Trout Stocked · 2 plants · last May 6, 2026 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked May 6, 2026 · avg 9.3 in · 2 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide

Kress Lake, an old gravel pit, is a popular trout and warmwater fish lake. Catchable Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout are planted from January to May and then again in November, and surplus adult hatchery Steelhead are occasionally planted throughout the fall and winter. Channel Catfish were first planted in 1998. The pond was treated for invasive Eurasian Milfoil, which has greatly improved fishing conditions. (wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

How Kress Lake is stocked

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

About 1,317 reported fish per acre, the most of 5 lakes in Cowlitz County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 2025

20,209

Fish stocked in 2026

12,180

Stocking history

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 6, 2026Brown Trout2,7009.6 inreport
April 15, 2026Rainbow Trout3,1209.8 inreport
March 26, 2026Rainbow Trout3,3609.4 inreport
January 6, 2026Rainbow Trout3,0009.4 inreport
December 31, 2025Steelhead1430 inreport
December 29, 2025Steelhead4730 inreport
December 26, 2025Steelhead1030 inreport
December 24, 2025Steelhead2630 inreport
December 24, 2025Steelhead230 inreport
December 22, 2025Steelhead4030 inreport
December 22, 2025Steelhead430 inreport
December 19, 2025Steelhead2430 inreport
December 15, 2025Steelhead4030 inreport
December 12, 2025Steelhead630 inreport
December 12, 2025Steelhead730 inreport
December 10, 2025Steelhead1430 inreport
December 10, 2025Steelhead330 inreport
December 8, 2025Steelhead1530 inreport
December 5, 2025Steelhead430 inreport
December 3, 2025Steelhead830 inreport
December 1, 2025Steelhead1330 inreport
December 1, 2025Steelhead230 inreport
November 26, 2025Steelhead130 inreport
November 26, 2025Steelhead130 inreport
November 20, 2025Rainbow Trout1,50013 inreport
June 13, 2025Rainbow Trout35010 inreport
May 8, 2025Rainbow Trout3,0009.6 inreport
April 30, 2025Brown Trout2,5009 inreport
April 22, 2025Rainbow Trout3,2409.6 inreport
April 18, 2025Rainbow Trout3,0009.6 inreport
March 13, 2025Rainbow Trout3,3009.6 inreport
February 3, 2025Steelhead930 inreport
February 3, 2025Steelhead330 inreport
January 13, 2025Steelhead630 inreport
January 13, 2025Rainbow Trout3,0009.8 inreport
January 6, 2025Steelhead830 inreport
January 6, 2025Steelhead130 inreport
January 3, 2025Steelhead1030 inreport
January 3, 2025Steelhead130 inreport

Access and facts

Nearest town
Kalama
Facilities
restrooms

Old gravel pit just north of Kalama. A trail circles the whole lake for bank fishing, and the year-round WDFW access has a concrete ramp, four fishing platforms, a restroom, and a lot with three ADA parking stalls. No camping.

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 Kress Lake

According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, this lake provides an excellent trout fishing opportunity from late fall through late spring. (wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

Nearest lakes

Lake Sacajawea 7.5 mi last stocked May 6, 2026 Horseshoe Lake 11.9 mi last stocked May 15, 2026 Lake Merwin 19.9 mi last stocked July 13, 2026 Battle Ground Lake 24 mi last stocked May 20, 2026 Klineline Pond 25.2 mi last stocked June 1, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Kress Lake?

Fishing Kress Lake usually means Steelhead: Steelhead accounts for 27 of 39 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout and one more. Steelhead was last stocked December 31, 2025, averaging 30 in. Rainbow Trout was last stocked April 15, 2026, averaging 10 in. Brown Trout was last stocked May 6, 2026, averaging 9.3 in. Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed, plus 6 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Kress Lake stocked?

Last stocked May 6, 2026. It is stocked about 20 times a year since 2025, most often in January and December. About 1,317 reported fish per acre, the most of 5 lakes in Cowlitz County with both a fish count and a surface area.

How big are the fish stocked at Kress Lake?

Stocked fish average 23.8 in. Steelhead average 30 in. Rainbow Trout average 10 in. Brown Trout average 9.3 in.

How do you get on Kress Lake?

The nearest town is Kalama. Facilities include restrooms. Old gravel pit just north of Kalama. A trail circles the whole lake for bank fishing, and the year-round WDFW access has a concrete ramp, four fishing platforms, a restroom, and a lot with three ADA parking stalls. No camping.

Which lakes near Kress Lake were stocked more recently?

Horseshoe Lake (11.9 mi), Lake Merwin (19.9 mi), Battle Ground Lake (24 mi), and Klineline Pond (25.2 mi) were stocked more recently. Horseshoe Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, and Brown Trout, Lake Merwin is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Battle Ground Lake is also stocked with Steelhead and Rainbow Trout, and Klineline Pond is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Sources (3) +