Mason Lake

Mason Lake is one of the largest lakes in Mason County and is open year-round for fishing. This lake is not stocked with rainbow trout. The best fishing is for kokanee during the summer. Largemouth bass, yellow perch, and brown bullhead catfish are also available.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - limited to area around boat launch at county park

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Mason
Acreage: 965.50 ac.
Elevation: 197 ft.
Center: 47.33489, -122.957543
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: MASON LK (MASO)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Jun 4, 2024	Rainbow	150	1.73	EELLS SPRINGS
Jun 4, 2024	Rainbow	2	0.35	EELLS SPRINGS
May 28, 2023	Rainbow	3	0.2	EELLS SPRINGS
May 28, 2023	Rainbow	200	2.15	EELLS SPRINGS
Mar 29, 2021	Rainbow	5,508	2.7	EELLS SPRINGS
Jun 3, 2019	Rainbow	200	2	EELLS SPRINGS
Jun 3, 2019	Rainbow	5	0.2	EELLS SPRINGS
May 29, 2018	Rainbow	2	0.14	EELLS SPRINGS
May 29, 2018	Rainbow	200	2.29	EELLS SPRINGS
Jun 13, 2017	Rainbow	200	1.8	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.

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.

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.

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.

Northern pikeminnow

Fishing success for Northern Pikeminnow increases in May and June as water temperatures increase, and generally peaks in late June, although fishing conditions can vary throughout the Columbia River. After a lull during the heat of summer, fishing success peaks again in late September-early October. Northern Pikeminnow congregate in rocky areas with fast currents near dams, islands, stream mouths, points, eddies, rows of pilings, and ledges or bars in the river. Sunrise, sunset, and night are generally the best fishing times. Studies show there are greater concentrations of Northern Pikeminnow in shallow water during low-light conditions.