Ward Lake fishing

Ward Lake fishing is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Kokanee, and Rock bass on a natural lake. It is stocked about 4.5 times a year since 2025, most often in April and September. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
April 21, 2026
162 days ago · Rainbow Trout
Plants on record
9
Since 2025
Species recorded
2
Average size
12.5 in
Surface acres
66.1
Elevation
162 ft

Fish at Ward Lake

2 stocked · 6 confirmed present

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 6 plants · last April 21, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked April 21, 2026 · avg 11.6 in · 6 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide
Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 3 plants · last September 29, 2025

Last stocked September 29, 2025 · avg 14.3 in · 3 plants

Cutthroat Trout species guide
Bluegill Confirmed present
Bluegill species guide
Kokanee Confirmed present
Kokanee species guide
Largemouth bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk

Best: dawn, dusk

Largemouth bass species guide
Rock bass Confirmed present
Rock bass species guide

How Ward Lake is stocked

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

About 119 reported fish per acre, 10th most of 14 lakes in Thurston County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 2025

5,812

Fish stocked in 2026

2,020

Stocking history

Showing 5 of 9 plants Showing 9 plants

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
April 21, 2026 Rainbow Trout 2,020 11.2 in report
November 25, 2025 Rainbow Trout 565 12.3 in report
September 29, 2025 Rainbow Trout 710 13 in report
September 29, 2025 Cutthroat Trout 225 12.2 in report
September 29, 2025 Cutthroat Trout 100 15.5 in report
May 28, 2025 Rainbow Trout 1,022 11.2 in report
May 12, 2025 Rainbow Trout 1,000 10.9 in report
April 18, 2025 Rainbow Trout 2,040 11 in report
January 8, 2025 Cutthroat Trout 150 15.3 in report
Show all 9 plants + Show less

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes

Shoreline access: Good. Bank fishing includes the area around the boat launch on the east side of the lake. WDFW maintains a public water access area on this lake.

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Nearest lakes

Munn Lake 1.7 mi last stocked April 15, 2026 Hicks Lake 3.7 mi last stocked April 21, 2026 Longs Pond 4.5 mi last stocked May 15, 2026 Long Lake 4.6 mi last stocked April 23, 2026 Pattison Lake 4.7 mi last stocked April 24, 2026

Camping near Ward Lake

Campgrounds within 15 miles of Ward Lake's mapped point, nearest first: Millersylvania State Park camping (6.9 miles), Margaret McKenny Campground (10.4 miles), Middle Waddell Campground (10.7 miles), Hope Island Marine State Park - Mason County camping (12.6 miles), and Fall Creek Campground (12.7 miles), each with its own campground page on campgroundsdb.com.

Straight-line distances.

Common questions

What fish are at Ward Lake?

Fishing Ward Lake usually means Rainbow Trout: Rainbow Trout accounts for 6 of 9 plants on record, ahead of Cutthroat Trout. Rainbow Trout was last stocked April 21, 2026, averaging 11.6 in. Cutthroat Trout was last stocked September 29, 2025, averaging 14.3 in. Bluegill, Coastal cutthroat trout, Kokanee, and Largemouth bass, plus 1 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Ward Lake stocked?

Last stocked April 21, 2026. It is stocked about 4.5 times a year since 2025, most often in April and September. About 119 reported fish per acre, 10th most of 14 lakes in Thurston County with both a fish count and a surface area.

How big are the fish stocked at Ward Lake?

Stocked fish average 12.5 in. Rainbow Trout average 11.6 in. Cutthroat Trout average 14.3 in.

How do you get on Ward Lake?

Shore fishing is available and there is a boat ramp. Shoreline access: Good. Bank fishing includes the area around the boat launch on the east side of the lake. WDFW maintains a public water access area on this lake.

Which lakes near Ward Lake were stocked more recently?

Longs Pond (4.5 mi), Long Lake (4.6 mi), and Pattison Lake (4.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Longs Pond is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout, Long Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, and Pattison Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Sources (1) +