Wilderness Lake

The primary fishing opportunities include stocked Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, and resident Largemouth Bass.

This lake is one of only ten waters in King County managed with a seasonal fishing closure. Spring catch rates for trout are highest early in the season and decline as fish are harvested and as warmer water temperatures force trout to seek areas of colder refuge. Fall is often overlooked by anglers, but can be an ideal time as fish that have been growing all summer become more active around the lake with cooler temperatures.

The WDFW access has a shallow, gravel boat ramp best suited for car-toppers and inflatable watercraft. Ample bank access is available at Lake Wilderness Park (City of Maple Valley) on the northwest shore.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Shoreline and fishing pier at public park

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: King
Acreage: 65.90 ac.
Elevation: 468 ft.
Center: 47.374573, -122.035608
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: WILDERNESS LK (KING)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Apr 16, 2024	Rainbow	8,000	2.7	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 15, 2024	Rainbow	4,000	2.5	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 19, 2023	Rainbow	2,300	2.6	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 13, 2023	Rainbow	10,200	3	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 18, 2022	Rainbow	3,800	2.5	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 12, 2022	Rainbow	7,200	2	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 13, 2021	Rainbow	4,000	2.8	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 12, 2021	Rainbow	8,268	3	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 28, 2020	Rainbow	4,000	2.5	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 27, 2020	Rainbow	12,000	2.5	PUYALLUP 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.

Kokanee

The Kokanee fishery typically lasts from April-October before the adults leave the lake to spawn in tributaries starting in late-October and early-November. Fishing is best in the spring before they move into deeper water to avoid warming water temperatures, but they can be targeted throughout the summer in deeper offshore areas near the thermocline. There may be a slight uptick in some waters in the fall as adults return to shallower water and move near shore towards spawning tributaries.

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.

Photos

Photo by WDFW