Bitter Lake

Angling opportunities include stocked Rainbow Trout, abundant Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Brown Bullhead. A city park (Seattle Parks and Recreation) on the east end offers shore fishing and the opportunity to launch car-toppers, but no developed boat ramp.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - limited to the shore at the city park

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: King
Acreage: 15.80 ac.
Elevation: 440 ft.
Center: 47.726624, -122.35235
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: BITTER LK (KING)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Oct 26, 2015 Steelhead 1,500 2 EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 27, 2015 Rainbow 2,000 2.5 ARLINGTON HATCHERY
Oct 22, 2014 Steelhead 3,000 2.5 TOKUL CR HATCHERY
Oct 13, 2014 Steelhead 1,712 2.1 MESEBERG HATCHERY
Apr 28, 2014 Rainbow 1,750 2.5 ARLINGTON HATCHERY
May 15, 2013 Rainbow 1,510 2 ARLINGTON HATCHERY
Jun 11, 2012 Rainbow 100 0.7 TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
May 2, 2012 Rainbow 1,500 2.5 ARLINGTON HATCHERY
Mar 18, 2008 Rainbow 2,520 3 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Mar 23, 2004 Rainbow 1,400 2.8 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Visit the Catchable Trout Plants page for a more detailed search of trout plants in other bodies of water. To view and download the source data for this table visit the WDFW Fish Plants dataset on data.wa.gov.

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.
Chart showing fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Photos
Bitter Lake
Photo by WDFW