Billy Clapp Lake

Billy Clapp Lake is located approximately two miles northeast of the Town of Stratford. This lake (actually a reservoir) offers good fishing for a variety of species including bass, Walleye, panfish, Rainbow Trout, and Kokanee. Species composition in Billy Clapp Lake is influenced heavily by outmigrating fish from connected Banks Lake. Kokanee fishing at Billy Clapp Lake varies year-to-year, but when it is good, Kokanee exceeding 20 inches can be caught routinely during late-winter through early-spring.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - The only shoreline fishing access is at the boat launch and park.

WDFW water access areas on this lake

Billy Clapp Lake

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Grant
Acreage: 973.60 ac.
Elevation: 1340 ft.
Center: 47.452846, -119.248485
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: BILLY CLAPP LK (GRAN)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Oct 1, 2021	Rainbow	4,202	2.5	COLUMBIA BASIN HATCHERY
Jul 30, 2020	Rainbow	4,613	1.48	COLUMBIA BASIN HATCHERY
Oct 9, 2019	Rainbow	3,612	2.5	COLUMBIA BASIN HATCHERY
May 12, 1995	Walleye	44,376	0	COLUMBIA BASIN 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.

Smallmouth bass

Walleye

Fishing peaks before and after the spawn, with the spawning period (April) being more difficult. Summer fishing is excellent, with a lull during the heat of the summer, while Fall sees an improvement as waters cool, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is tougher, but still fair, since Walleye are readily caught during the winter months in deeper water.

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.

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.

Lake whitefish

Fishing for Lake Whitefish peaks during the summer as fish congregate in large schools over the deepest portions of the reservoir. There is a slight lull in October as fish transition to spawning areas. Fishing success peaks again in early to mid-December as fish congregate along the shoreline to spawn.