Silver Lake (Cowlitz County)

This lake provides good fishing for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Warmouth, White Crappie and Yellow Perch. There are coho and steelhead that use Hemlock and Sucker creeks. Catchable Rainbow Trout are planted in the spring.

There is a large population of Common Carp. Triploid grass carp previously stocked in the 1990s may be retained in Silver Lake.

The WDFW boat access has a single lane concrete ramp and a small dock and can be hard to find if signage is missed on SR-504. Private resorts also offer additional boat ramps and rentals.

Two-pole fishing is NOT allowed

Shoreline access: Bad - Limited.

Silver Lake Resort; Silver Cove RV Resort; Streeter's Resort

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Cowlitz
Acreage: 1424.20 ac.
Elevation: 489 ft.
Center: 46.289715, -122.799487
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: SILVER LK (COWL)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Mar 6, 2024	Rainbow	6,825	3	MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Feb 21, 2024	Rainbow	2,000	2.5	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Mar 28, 2023	Rainbow	3,230	2.8	MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Mar 23, 2023	Rainbow	3,770	2.9	MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Mar 7, 2023	Rainbow	2,000	2.3	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Mar 3, 2022	Rainbow	7,000	2.9	MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Jan 19, 2022	Rainbow	2,021	2.1	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Mar 23, 2021	Rainbow	3,720	3	MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Mar 23, 2021	Rainbow	3,360	3	MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Dec 31, 2020	Rainbow	2,000	2.4	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY

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.

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.

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.

Photos

Photo by WDFW