Benson Lake

2024 Trout Derby

2 prizes are waiting to be claimed!

Catch a tagged fish? Fill out the prize claim form.
Forget where to collect your prize? Recover your prize details.

Benson Lake is one of the more popular Opening Day Lakes in Mason County.  It provides great fishing for rainbow trout averaging a half pound in spring and really summer.  Its bowl shape and moderate size makes it a great trolling water.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Bank along WDFW access site

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Mason
Acreage: 79.80 ac.
Elevation: 233 ft.
Center: 47.337387, -122.923004
Open in Google Maps

Find lowland lakes

View larger map

Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: BENSON LK (MASO)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Apr 18, 2005 Rainbow 500 0.58 TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
Apr 12, 2004 Rainbow 500 0.66 TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
Sep 22, 2003 Rainbow 100 0.41 EELLS SPRINGS
Sep 22, 2003 Rainbow 468 1.2 EELLS SPRINGS
Sep 17, 2003 Rainbow 1,200 1.2 EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 14, 2003 Rainbow 480 0.67 TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
Sep 20, 2002 Rainbow 540 0.417 EELLS SPRINGS
Jun 21, 2002 Rainbow 6,013 2.5 EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 14, 2000 Rainbow 459 2.7 EELLS SPRINGS
Jun 7, 1999 Cutthroat 119 1.4 EELLS SPRINGS
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