Ballinger Lake

2024 Trout Derby lake

Starting soon! For more information about how the trout derby works, important dates, and prizes, visit the 2024 Trout Derby page.

Located on the county line between Snohomish and King counties, just west of I-5.

Opportunities include stocked Rainbow Trout and resident Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. Black Crappie and Bullhead Catfish are also present. A boat ramp, parking, toilets and a fishing pier are available on the northeast shore at Lake Ballinger Park (City of Mountlake Terrace).

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Public park with a fishing pier

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Snohomish
Acreage: 100.70 ac.
Elevation: 282 ft.
Center: 47.782021, -122.326817
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: BALLINGER LK (SNOH)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Mar 15, 2022	Rainbow	3,816	2.4	WHITEHORSE POND
Nov 1, 2021	Rainbow	1,800	1	WHITEHORSE POND
Mar 29, 2021	Rainbow	8,016	2.3	WHITEHORSE POND
Nov 23, 2020	Rainbow	1,493	0.67	WHITEHORSE POND
Nov 2, 2020	Rainbow	1,557	0.67	WHITEHORSE POND
Apr 15, 2020	Rainbow	1,408	2.2	WHITEHORSE POND
Apr 15, 2020	Rainbow	6,600	2.2	ARLINGTON HATCHERY
Nov 26, 2019	Rainbow	817	0.67	WHITEHORSE POND
Oct 21, 2019	Rainbow	804	0.67	WHITEHORSE POND
Mar 27, 2019	Rainbow	2,534	2.5	WHITEHORSE POND

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.

Coastal cutthroat trout (resident)

Fishing is best for Coastal Cutthroat in the spring and fall. There is a summer lull as fish move offshore into deeper waters to escape the summer heat in July and August. Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams.

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.

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.