Clear Lake (Pierce County)

2023 Trout Derby lake

Starting soon! For more information about how the trout derby works, important dates, and prizes, visit the 2023 Trout Derby page.

Clear Lake is open to fishing from the fourth Saturday in April to October 31. The lake offer good harvest opportunity for stock rainbow trout and kokanee. Chumming is permitted. The lake also supports naturally reproducing populations of largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.

The WDFW access on the northwest shore has a paved boat ramp with toilets and adequate parking.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Limited shoreline access from public launch

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Pierce
Acreage: 155.70 ac.
Elevation: 781 ft.
Center: 46.931345, -122.272744
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: CLEAR LK (PIER)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
May 12, 2022 Rainbow 4,000 2.5 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 19, 2022 Rainbow 1,470 1 LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Apr 18, 2022 Rainbow 1,080 1 LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
May 10, 2021 Rainbow 3,000 2.7 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 28, 2021 Rainbow 3,000 2.6 PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Apr 19, 2021 Rainbow 1,300 1 LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Apr 16, 2021 Rainbow 4,260 2.4 CHAMBERS CR HATCHERY
Apr 9, 2021 Rainbow 4,224 2.4 CHAMBERS CR HATCHERY
May 6, 2020 Rainbow 3,841 2.3 CHAMBERS CR HATCHERY
Apr 29, 2020 Rainbow 2,004 1.2 LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
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

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.
Chart of 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

Smallmouth 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

Photos
Clear Lake
WDFW