Lake Tapps fishing

Lake Tapps fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Black crappie, Smallmouth bass, Tiger muskie, and Yellow perch on a reservoir. It is stocked once in 2026, most often in February. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Lake Tapps
Photo: Shea, CC BY 2.0
Last stocked
February 20, 2026
222 days ago · Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
1
Since 2026
Species recorded
1
Average size
10 in
Surface acres
2,433.1
Elevation
546 ft

Fish at Lake Tapps

1 stocked · 5 confirmed present

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 1 plant · last February 20, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked February 20, 2026 · avg 10 in · 1 plant

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Black crappie Confirmed present
Black crappie species guide
Largemouth bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk

Best: dawn, dusk

Largemouth bass species guide
Smallmouth bass Confirmed present
Smallmouth bass species guide
Tiger muskie Confirmed present
Tiger muskie species guide
Yellow perch Confirmed present
Yellow perch species guide

How Lake Tapps is stocked

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

About 6.2 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 20 lakes in Pierce County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Stocking history

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
February 20, 2026 Rainbow Trout 15,000 10 in report

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes

Shoreline access: Good. There are a lot of houses around the lake, but there is very good shore access at Lake Tapps North Park.

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About Lake Tapps

Photo of Lake Tapps
Shea, CC BY 2.0

Nearest lakes

Bonney Lake 1.9 mi last stocked March 10, 2026 Holm Lake 6.4 mi last stocked May 5, 2026 Lake Bradley 6.5 mi last stocked June 22, 2026 Fivemile Lake 6.8 mi last stocked May 6, 2026 Lake Geneva 7.5 mi last stocked April 15, 2026

Camping near Lake Tapps

Campgrounds within 15 miles of Lake Tapps's mapped point, nearest first: Game Farm Wilderness Park Campground (4.6 miles), Saltwater State Park camping (13.1 miles), Dash Point State Park camping (13.1 miles), and Kanaskat-Palmer State Park camping (14.4 miles), each with its own campground page on campgroundsdb.com.

Straight-line distances.

Common questions

What fish are at Lake Tapps?

Fishing Lake Tapps usually means Rainbow Trout. The one plant on record is Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked February 20, 2026, averaging 10 in. Black crappie, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Tiger muskie, plus 1 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Lake Tapps stocked?

Last stocked February 20, 2026. It is stocked once in 2026, most often in February. About 6.2 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 20 lakes in Pierce County with both a fish count and a surface area.

How big are the fish stocked at Lake Tapps?

Rainbow Trout stocked at Lake Tapps average 10 in.

How do you get on Lake Tapps?

Shore fishing is available and there is a boat ramp. Shoreline access: Good. There are a lot of houses around the lake, but there is very good shore access at Lake Tapps North Park.

Which lakes near Lake Tapps were stocked more recently?

Bonney Lake (1.9 mi), Holm Lake (6.4 mi), Lake Bradley (6.5 mi), Fivemile Lake (6.8 mi), and Lake Geneva (7.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Bonney Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Holm Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Lake Bradley is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Fivemile Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Lake Geneva is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Sources (1) +