Clear Lake (Thurston 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. Rainbow trout are typically caught trolling lures or still-fishing bait under a bobber. Success with kokannee is found fishing with downriggers or leaded line with baited wedding ring or spoons.  Bank angling is limited to area surrounding public boat launch on south end of lake.

The WDFW access on the northwest shore has a boat ramp with toilets and additional parking is available across the street in a gravel lot.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - bank angling limited to public boat launch

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Thurston
Acreage: 180.70 ac.
Elevation: 543 ft.
Center: 46.823009, -122.473379
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: CLEAR LK (THUR)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Apr 13, 2016 Rainbow 3,550 2.5 EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 11, 2016 Rainbow 545 1 LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
May 5, 2015 Rainbow 6,600 2.5 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 20, 2015 Rainbow 3,170 2.4 EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 15, 2015 Rainbow 3,575 2.5 EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 13, 2015 Rainbow 480 0.8 LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Apr 9, 2015 Rainbow 3,400 2.5 EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 7, 2015 Rainbow 504 0.67 TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
Jun 3, 2014 Rainbow 425 1.1 GARRISON HATCHERY
May 2, 2014 Rainbow 3,750 2.5 LAKEWOOD 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

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