Curl Lake

This small lake off the Tucannon River is used as an acclimation pond for spring Chinook salmon, so it opens later (late April) than other nearby lakes.

The lake is well stocked with 10-12 inch Rainbow Trout after salmon smolts leave in April, plus some jumbo Rainbow Trout (about 1.5 lbs each) are stocked here.

See Washington State Parks website for ADA accessibility  information.

It is located near camping areas on the Department of Fish and Wildlife Wooten Wildlife Area, U.S. Forest Service Campgrounds, as well as about 10 miles upstream of a KOA Campground at the Last Resort.  A few miles away is National Forest and Wilderness.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - This lake has a graveled service roadway surrounding it for easy access. No vehicles allowed.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Columbia
Acreage: 2.00 ac.
Elevation: 2573 ft.
Center: 46.254515, -117.672048
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Catchable fish plants

Release Location: CURL LK (LANDLOCKED)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Jun 7, 2023 Rainbow 2,500 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
May 24, 2023 Rainbow 179 0.67 TUCANNON HATCHERY
May 24, 2023 Rainbow 5,100 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Jul 5, 2022 Rainbow 1,300 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Jun 22, 2022 Rainbow 1,625 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
May 26, 2022 Rainbow 5,100 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
May 26, 2022 Rainbow 305 0.64 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Jun 23, 2021 Rainbow 950 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Jun 8, 2021 Rainbow 2,550 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
May 25, 2021 Rainbow 2,500 2.5 TUCANNON 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.
Chart showing fishing prospects throughout the calendar year