Bay Lake

Bay Lake is open Year-Round and offers good harvest opportunity for stocked rainbow trout. The lake also supports naturally reproducing populations of largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, yellow perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, and brown bullhead catfish. This lake has been known to produced some larger bluegill.

The WDFW access off Sanford Road has a rough gravel ramp and parking.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - There is minimal shore fishing area at the WDFW access area.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Pierce
Acreage: 127.80 ac.
Elevation: 34 ft.
Center: 47.244207, -122.757943
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: BAY LK (PIER)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
May 6, 2024	Rainbow	4,800	2.5	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 17, 2024	Rainbow	7,000	2.5	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
May 2, 2023	Rainbow	4,000	2.5	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 12, 2023	Rainbow	2,744	3	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 11, 2023	Rainbow	5,100	3	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
May 9, 2022	Rainbow	4,000	2.5	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 20, 2022	Rainbow	3,000	2.5	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 12, 2022	Rainbow	3,600	2	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
May 10, 2021	Rainbow	4,000	2.7	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 13, 2021	Rainbow	3,614	3	PUYALLUP HATCHERY

Fishing prospects calendar

Rainbow trout

Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide, but they can be caught year-round in most waters with a little patience and persistence. Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.

Largemouth bass

Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving.

Yellow perch

Yellow Perch can be caught year-round. Fishing is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. Catch begins to decline in the fall as water temperatures cool and fish move offshore forcing anglers to pursue them in boats. Successful fishing for Yellow Perch in the winter involves either targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice.

Bluegill

Bluegill can be caught year-round, but fishing is best in the warm months of Summer. Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking during the spawn in early-Summer. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season in which to catch Bluegill, but persistent anglers can find them in schools of like-sized fish offshore.

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish are ubiquitous in most lowland lakes and readily caught year-round. Fishing is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season to catch Pumpkinseed, but persistent anglers can find nice-sized schools offshore.

Brown bullhead

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.