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
May 21, 2001	Rainbow	650	0.7	TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
Sep 24, 1999	Rainbow	20	0.2	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Sep 24, 1999	Rainbow	40	0.33	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Nov 12, 1997	Rainbow	100	0.2	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Apr 23, 1997	Rainbow	1,035	3	EELLS SPRINGS
Jun 18, 1996	Rainbow	150	1.5	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 18, 1996	Rainbow	4,063	2.5	PALMER HATCHERY
Apr 9, 1996	Cutthroat	100	1.1	TOKUL CR HATCHERY
Apr 9, 1996	Rainbow	100	0.3	TOKUL CR HATCHERY
Apr 27, 1995	Rainbow	200	0.5	TOKUL CR 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