Rainbow Trout Stocked · 17 plants · last June 9, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake) fishing
Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake) fishing has Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. Also recorded: Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Peamouth. It is stocked about 8.5 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 Yellow Perch.
- Last stocked
- June 9, 2026
- · Rainbow Trout
- Plants on record
- 17
- Since 2025
- Species stocked
- 1 (+3 also recorded)
- Average size
- 16.3 in
- Surface acres
- 12.6
- Elevation
- 24 ft
Fish at Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake)
Around the dates Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake) is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 48.2°F in April, 54.3°F in May, 58.5°F in June, 43.7°F in March. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo
Rainbow Trout Stocked · 17 plants · last June 9, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk 
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide Peamouth Confirmed present
Bowers Lake is also called Vance Creek Pond # 1. This lake is stocked multiple times annually with Rainbow Trout to provide consistent fishing action. Good shore access is very good around most of the county park. Small watercraft are carried a short distance from the parking lots. Anglers might catch Largemouth bass, Peamouth, Rainbow trout, and Yellow perch. (wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake) is stocked
About 480 reported fish per acre, the most of 6 lakes in Grays Harbor County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2025
3,042
Fish stocked in 2026
3,005
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 9, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 19.5 in | report |
| June 2, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 11.3 in | report |
| May 19, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | 11.6 in | report |
| April 23, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 252 | 22.5 in | report |
| April 21, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 11.3 in | report |
| April 20, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 17.8 in | report |
| April 2, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 17 in | report |
| April 1, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 353 | 22.5 in | report |
| April 1, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 11.1 in | report |
| June 3, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 11.9 in | report |
| May 23, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 125 | 22.5 in | report |
| May 20, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | 11.3 in | report |
| May 6, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 22.5 in | report |
| April 25, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 466 | 22.5 in | report |
| April 22, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 700 | 11.5 in | report |
| March 28, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 10.3 in | report |
| March 28, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 351 | 19.2 in | report |
Access and facts
- Nearest town
- Elma, WA
The first pond on the north side of Wenzel Slough Road in Vance Creek County Park, just east of Lake Inez near Elma. No boat ramp, but small craft can be hand-carried a short distance from the parking lots, and bank access is very good around most of 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.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake)?
Fishing Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake) usually means Rainbow Trout. All 17 plants on record are Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked June 9, 2026, averaging 16.3 in. Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Peamouth are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake) stocked?
Last stocked June 9, 2026. It is stocked about 8.5 times a year since 2025, most often in April and May. About 480 reported fish per acre, the most of 6 lakes in Grays Harbor County with both a fish count and a surface area.
How big are the fish stocked at Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake)?
Rainbow Trout stocked at Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake) average 16.3 in.
How do you get on Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake)?
The nearest town is Elma, WA. The first pond on the north side of Wenzel Slough Road in Vance Creek County Park, just east of Lake Inez near Elma. No boat ramp, but small craft can be hand-carried a short distance from the parking lots, and bank access is very good around most of the park.
Which lakes near Vance Creek Pond #1 (Bowers Lake) were stocked more recently?
Lake Aberdeen (15.6 mi) was stocked more recently. Lake Aberdeen is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.