Green Lake

This urban fishery in Seattle area is one of the best trout fisheries in western Washington.  Stocked Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout are readily catchable year-round and stocked Channel Catfish are available for patient anglers.  Other fishing opportunities include Common Carp, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish and Brown Bullhead.  Green Lake Park (Seattle Parks and Recreation) extends around the entire lake providing excellent shoreline access to anglers. In addition, fishing piers are located at the south, east and northeast shores of the lake and car-toppers can be launched from the shore as long as they are not motor-powered.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - 100% shoreline access at city park, multiple fishing piers

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: King
Acreage: 250.00 ac.
Elevation: 164 ft.
Center: 47.678114, -122.338465
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: GREEN LK (KING)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Mar 27, 2017 Steelhead 100 0.37 ARLINGTON HATCHERY
Mar 13, 2017 Rainbow 10,005 2.3 WHITEHORSE POND
May 23, 2016 Steelhead 320 0.38 ARLINGTON HATCHERY
Mar 28, 2016 Rainbow 3,813 2.5 ARLINGTON HATCHERY
Mar 23, 2016 Rainbow 4,125 2.5 ARLINGTON HATCHERY
Mar 23, 2016 Rainbow 2,100 2.5 ARLINGTON HATCHERY
Mar 8, 2016 Rainbow 5,000 2.4 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Nov 3, 2015 Steelhead 3,420 2 EELLS SPRINGS
Oct 29, 2015 Steelhead 3,500 2 EELLS SPRINGS
Oct 23, 2015 Steelhead 3,000 2 EELLS SPRINGS
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

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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Channel catfish

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in June and July. 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

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
Green Lake
Photo by WDFW