St. Clair Lake

Saint Clair Lake has a year-round open season that provides good fishing for stocked rainbow trout and brown trout. The lake also supports naturally reproducing populations of bluegill sunfish, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, and stocked channel catfish.

There are two WDFW access sites on opposite sides of Rehklau Road SE, off Yelm Highway. One of the sites is improved with a boat launch and vault toilets.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Shoreline access at both WDFW boat launches

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Thurston
Acreage: 233.10 ac.
Elevation: 77 ft.
Center: 46.994559, -122.726246
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Catchable fish plants

Release Location: LK ST CLAIR (THUR)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Dec 30, 2021 Cutthroat 297 0.7 EELLS SPRINGS
Nov 18, 2021 Rainbow 494 1.3 LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
May 12, 2021 Rainbow 5,000 2.6 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 22, 2021 Rainbow 3,672 2.31 EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 15, 2021 Rainbow 3,670 2.26 EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 12, 2021 Rainbow 750 1 LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Apr 7, 2021 Rainbow 3,678 2.27 EELLS SPRINGS
Mar 23, 2021 Rainbow 6,000 2.4 CHAMBERS CR HATCHERY
Nov 17, 2020 Rainbow 450 1.2 LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Jun 5, 2020 Rainbow 630 0.9 LAKEWOOD 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.
Chart showing fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Channel catfish

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in June and July. 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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Photos

Image
St. Clair Lake
Photo by WDFW