Kress Lake is an old gravel pit acquired by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in 1981. It is a popular trout and warmwater fish lake. Catchable Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout are planted from January to May and then again in November.
Channel Catfish were first planted in 1998. The department has continued stocking Channel Catfish in subsequent years. Surplus adult hatchery Steelhead are occasionally also planted throughout the fall and winter. The pond has invasive Eurasian Milfoil making recreational fishing difficult at times.
Landlocked salmon rules allow anglers to take surplus hatchery salmon, when available.This lake provides an excellent trout fishing opportunity from late fall through late spring.
Gasoline motors are not allowed. Kress provides some bank access with a trail going around the entire lake.
Two-pole fishing is allowed
Shoreline access: Good - Good shore access for walking.
WDFW water access areas on this lakeSpecies you might catch
- Black crappie
- Bluegill
- Brown bullhead
- Channel catfish
- Common carp
- Largemouth bass
- Pumpkinseed Sunfish
- Rainbow trout
- Steelhead
- Warmouth
Lake information
County: Cowlitz
Acreage: 24.60 ac.
Elevation: 18 ft.
Center: 46.04705, -122.850953
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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.
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.
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.
Channel catfish
Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in June and July. 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.
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.
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