Nahwatzel Lake

Nahwatzel Lake is open year-round for fishing, and is stocked each spring and fall exclusively with larger rainbow trout averaging a pound a piece. But it also receives larger rainbows from 3 to 8 pounds each, making it a great destination for quality trout fishing in Mason County.

Fall plants into Nahwatzel make it a great fall fishery but also a fine winter opportunity.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - limited to area around boat launch

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Mason
Acreage: 280.20 ac.
Elevation: 456 ft.
Center: 47.242394, -123.333193
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: NAHWATZEL LK (MASO)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Sep 25, 2023	Rainbow	2,085	1.1	EELLS SPRINGS
Sep 22, 2023	Rainbow	1,000	1	SATSOP SPRINGS PONDS
May 2, 2023	Rainbow	4,902	1.2	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
May 2, 2023	Rainbow	462	0.96	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Apr 21, 2023	Rainbow	370	0.33	SATSOP SPRINGS PONDS
Mar 31, 2023	Rainbow	325	0.33	SATSOP SPRINGS PONDS
Oct 5, 2022	Rainbow	300	0.66	SATSOP SPRINGS PONDS
Oct 4, 2022	Rainbow	350	0.66	SATSOP SPRINGS PONDS
Oct 3, 2022	Rainbow	350	0.66	SATSOP SPRINGS PONDS
Sep 26, 2022	Rainbow	2,100	0.96	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.

Coastal cutthroat trout (resident)

Fishing is best for Coastal Cutthroat in the spring and fall. There is a summer lull as fish move offshore into deeper waters to escape the summer heat in July and August. Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams.

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.