Hicks Lake

Hicks Lake is open from the fourth Saturday in April through October 31. Harvest opportunity should be good for nine- to 13- inch stocked rainbow trout with 16 inch rainbows stocked annually. The lake has also been periodically stocked with brown trout. In addition to trout the lake also supports naturally reproducing populations of black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, rock bass, and brown bullhead catfish. The bluegill and yellow perch provide good fishing in mid to late summer. Wanschers Community Park provides good shoreline access.

The WDFW access provides a boat launch and two toilets.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Shoreline access at public boat launch and Wanschers park on the west shore.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Thurston
Acreage: 162.30 ac.
Elevation: 182 ft.
Center: 47.021219, -122.799698
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: HICKS LK (THUR)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
May 14, 2024	Rainbow	2,510	2	EELLS SPRINGS
May 13, 2024	Rainbow	3,010	2	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 22, 2024	Rainbow	5,048	2.26	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 18, 2024	Rainbow	1,800	1	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Jun 6, 2023	Rainbow	2,000	2.5	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
May 23, 2023	Rainbow	2,005	2.4	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 19, 2023	Rainbow	5,100	2.5	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 19, 2023	Rainbow	1,240	1	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Apr 17, 2023	Rainbow	1,260	1	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
May 18, 2022	Rainbow	2,095	2.42	EELLS SPRINGS

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.

Black crappie

Fishing improves throughout the Spring, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull, while Fall sees an improvement as waters cool, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. During winter, the bite is slower, but anglers can have great success fishing through the ice when conditions are safe.

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.

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.