Battle Ground 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.

Battle Ground Lake is known as a crater lake. Initially Battle Ground was known as a popular crappie and bass lake. Rainbow Trout have been stocked in the lake since the late 1930s and have become a very successful fishery for anglers.

Located inside Battle Ground Lake State Park about two miles northwest of the city of Battle Ground, off of Heisson Road. Thousands of Rainbow Trout and Coastal Cutthroat Trout are stocked during late winter through spring.

The lake offers limited bank access and a dock (fee required) A Discover Pass is necessary to park at this lake. There is a small boat ramp, no combustion motors allowed. The Discover Pass is not necessary if staying in a registered campsite. Grass carp have been stocked in this lake. Fishing for or retaining grass carp is prohibited. Photo courtesy of Nick Mortensen.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Limited shore access.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Clark
Acreage: 25.40 ac.
Elevation: 509 ft.
Center: 45.804756, -122.494045
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: BATTLE GROUND LK (CLAR)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Apr 10, 2024	Rainbow	3,000	2.4	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Mar 26, 2024	Rainbow	3,000	2.6	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Mar 26, 2024	Rainbow	1,500	2.55	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Mar 12, 2024	Rainbow	1,500	2.25	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Mar 11, 2024	Cutthroat	1,549	2.27	SKAMANIA HATCHERY
Feb 23, 2024	Rainbow	2,000	2.47	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Feb 14, 2024	Cutthroat	1,500	2.49	SKAMANIA HATCHERY
Feb 13, 2024	Rainbow	2,000	2.32	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Jan 31, 2024	Rainbow	2,800	2.5	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Jan 30, 2024	Rainbow	125	0.2	GOLDENDALE 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Photos

Photo by WDFW