Rainbow Lake fishing

Rainbow Lake fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout on a reservoir. It is stocked about 12 times a year since 2025, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
June 17, 2026
· Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
24
Since 2025
Species recorded
1
Average size
11.7 in
Surface acres
7.8
Elevation
2,213 ft

Fish at Rainbow Lake

1 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Around the dates Rainbow Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 48°F in April, 57°F in May, 35.8°F in February, 41.6°F in March. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 24 plants · last June 17, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked June 17, 2026 · avg 11.7 in · 24 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

Rainbow Lake in Columbia County is a small bank fishing only lake located within the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wooten Wildlife Area. Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked, and success remains high into June as well. (wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)

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

How Rainbow Lake is stocked

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

About 4,515 reported fish per acre, the most of 4 lakes in Columbia County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 2025

13,878

Fish stocked in 2026

21,341

Stocking history

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 17, 2026Rainbow Trout2,55010 inreport
June 5, 2026Rainbow Trout2,15010 inreport
May 20, 2026Rainbow Trout2,55010 inreport
May 4, 2026Rainbow Trout2,55010 inreport
April 28, 2026Rainbow Trout5015.3 inreport
April 28, 2026Rainbow Trout2,55010 inreport
April 9, 2026Rainbow Trout1,30010 inreport
March 30, 2026Rainbow Trout10015.3 inreport
March 30, 2026Rainbow Trout4,32010.2 inreport
February 24, 2026Rainbow Trout10114.8 inreport
February 24, 2026Rainbow Trout3,1209.8 inreport
June 17, 2025Rainbow Trout1,00010 inreport
May 30, 2025Rainbow Trout5015.3 inreport
May 22, 2025Rainbow Trout80010 inreport
May 21, 2025Rainbow Trout3,10010 inreport
May 20, 2025Rainbow Trout6015.3 inreport
May 8, 2025Rainbow Trout1,00010 inreport
April 30, 2025Rainbow Trout5015.3 inreport
April 18, 2025Rainbow Trout2,55010 inreport
April 4, 2025Rainbow Trout10015.3 inreport
April 4, 2025Rainbow Trout2,55010 inreport
March 20, 2025Rainbow Trout1,00010 inreport
February 27, 2025Rainbow Trout1,5189.8 inreport
February 27, 2025Rainbow Trout10015.2 inreport

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Marengo, WA

WDFW water in the Wooten Wildlife Area off Tucannon Road south of Marengo. Bank fishing only, no boat launch, but ADA accessible. Excellent shoreline access with several points extending into the lake. Closest camping is Camp Wooten State Park and nearby Forest Service campgrounds.

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

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Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before you go.

Nearest lakes

Spring Lake 1.6 mi last stocked June 18, 2026 Watson Lake 2 mi last stocked June 9, 2026 Curl Lake 4.1 mi last stocked June 3, 2026 Donnie Lake 5.7 mi last stocked April 22, 2026 Dayton Pond 14.9 mi last stocked May 13, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Rainbow Lake?

Fishing Rainbow Lake usually means Rainbow Trout. All 24 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked June 17, 2026, averaging 11.7 in.

When is Rainbow Lake stocked?

Last stocked June 17, 2026. It is stocked about 12 times a year since 2025, most often in April and May. About 4,515 reported fish per acre, the most of 4 lakes in Columbia County with both a fish count and a surface area.

How big are the fish stocked at Rainbow Lake?

Rainbow Trout stocked at Rainbow Lake average 11.7 in.

How do you get on Rainbow Lake?

The nearest town is Marengo, WA. WDFW water in the Wooten Wildlife Area off Tucannon Road south of Marengo. Bank fishing only, no boat launch, but ADA accessible. Excellent shoreline access with several points extending into the lake. Closest camping is Camp Wooten State Park and nearby Forest Service campgrounds.

Which lakes near Rainbow Lake were stocked more recently?

Spring Lake (1.6 mi) was stocked more recently. Spring Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Sources (3) +