Bonney Lake

Bonney Lake is open year-round and offers good harvest opportunity for stocked rainbow trout. The lake also supports naturally reproducing populations of brown bullhead catfish, yellow perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, and largemouth bass.

The lake has a WDFW boat ramp on the northwest shore, off of 74 Street E, with a shallow gravel ramp, no restroom, and limited parking.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Limited shoreline access

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Pierce
Acreage: 16.90 ac.
Elevation: 608 ft.
Center: 47.189008, -122.185772
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: BONNEY LK (PIER)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Mar 15, 2024	Rainbow	2,000	2.6	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Nov 21, 2023	Rainbow	350	1.4	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Apr 11, 2023	Rainbow	1,000	3	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Nov 18, 2022	Rainbow	382	1.66	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Mar 22, 2022	Rainbow	1,000	2.6	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Nov 23, 2021	Rainbow	360	1.3	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Mar 30, 2021	Rainbow	1,020	3	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Nov 17, 2020	Rainbow	348	1.2	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
May 4, 2020	Rainbow	1,045	2.17	EELLS SPRINGS
Mar 22, 2019	Rainbow	1,050	2.5	EELLS SPRINGS

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.

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.

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.