Clear Lake (Pierce County)

Clear Lake is open to fishing from the fourth Saturday in April to October 31. The lake offer good harvest opportunity for stock rainbow trout and kokanee. Chumming is permitted. The lake also supports naturally reproducing populations of largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.

The WDFW access on the northwest shore has a paved boat ramp with toilets and adequate parking.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Limited shoreline access from public launch

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Pierce
Acreage: 155.70 ac.
Elevation: 781 ft.
Center: 46.931345, -122.272744
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Catchable fish plants

Release Location: CLEAR LK (PIER)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
May 15, 2018 Rainbow 3,116 2.21 EELLS SPRINGS
May 7, 2018 Rainbow 2,862 2.4 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 18, 2018 Rainbow 2,000 1 CHAMBERS CR HATCHERY
May 3, 2017 Rainbow 4,000 2 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 18, 2017 Rainbow 2,000 1 LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Apr 17, 2017 Rainbow 8 0.3 TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
May 2, 2016 Rainbow 4,800 2.4 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
May 2, 2016 Rainbow 1,000 2.4 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 18, 2016 Rainbow 413 0.6 TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
Apr 14, 2016 Rainbow 2,000 1 LAKEWOOD 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.
Chart showing fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Kokanee

The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries.
Chart of 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

Smallmouth 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

Photos

Image
Clear Lake
Photo by WDFW