McIntosh Lake

McIntosh Lake is open Year-Round and offers good opportunity for stocked rainbow trout with additional opportunity for 1 lb jumbos. The lake also supports naturally reproducing populations of yellow perch, largemouth bass, and brown bullhead catfish.

A WDFW access with boat launch and two toilets is available on the north side of the lake. There is also excellect shore access from the Yelm-Tenino Trail (Thurston County Rails-to-Trails) that runs along the south side of the lake. See Washington State Parks website.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Shore access is limited to WDFW access area.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Thurston
Acreage: 109.60 ac.
Elevation: 334 ft.
Center: 46.866594, -122.76761
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: MCINTOSH LK (THUR)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
May 16, 2024	Rainbow	887	1.93	EELLS SPRINGS
May 16, 2024	Rainbow	637	29	EELLS SPRINGS
May 14, 2024	Rainbow	3,013	2.1	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 19, 2024	Rainbow	3,077	2.34	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 18, 2024	Rainbow	3,532	2.25	EELLS SPRINGS
May 23, 2023	Rainbow	2,000	2.4	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 18, 2023	Rainbow	6,500	2.5	EELLS SPRINGS
May 9, 2022	Rainbow	4,415	2.33	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 20, 2022	Rainbow	3,000	2.2	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 12, 2022	Rainbow	3,504	2.15	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.

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.