Waitts Lake

Four miles west of Valley, Waitts Lake is open year-round.  Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout are planted annually, with Largemouth Bass and Yellow Perch available as well.

Public access is available via WDFW Water Access Area (Waitts Lake | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife).

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Good for ice fishing

Shoreline access: Good - Shoreline access is limited to area around boat launch. Private resorts offer some dock fishing.

WDFW water access areas on this lake

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Stevens
Acreage: 469.70 ac.
Elevation: 1950 ft.
Center: 48.183924, -117.789683
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: WAITTS LK (STEV)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Mar 30, 1999 Rainbow 200 0.25 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Dec 9, 1998 Brown Trout 650 0.3 FORD HATCHERY
Mar 23, 1998 Rainbow 250 0.2 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Dec 5, 1997 Eastern Brook Trout 1,527 1 FORD HATCHERY
Nov 20, 1997 Eastern Brook Trout 1,000 1 FORD HATCHERY
Nov 20, 1997 Brown Trout 764 0.5 FORD HATCHERY
May 8, 1997 Rainbow 457 0.833 SPOKANE HATCHERY
May 2, 1997 Rainbow 234 0.182 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Nov 7, 1996 Brown Trout 552 0.5 FORD HATCHERY
May 28, 1996 Rainbow 4,740 3 FORD HATCHERY
Visit the Catchable Trout Plants page for a more detailed search of trout plants in other bodies of water. To view and download the source data for this table visit the WDFW Fish Plants dataset on data.wa.gov.

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

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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year