Kress Lake

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.

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 and continue to be stocked. 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.

This lake provides an excellent trout fishing opportunity from late fall through late spring. There is some bank access with a trail going around the entire lake.

Gasoline motors are not allowed.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Good shore access for walking.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Cowlitz
Acreage: 24.60 ac.
Elevation: 18 ft.
Center: 46.04705, -122.850953
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: KRESS LK (COWL)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Jan 9, 2023	Rainbow	2,000	2.5	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Dec 13, 2022	Rainbow	792	0.66	MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Nov 22, 2022	Rainbow	2,000	1	MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Jun 22, 2022	Brown Trout	2,500	2.8	MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
May 3, 2022	Rainbow	3,000	2.3	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Apr 19, 2022	Rainbow	3,361	2.5	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Apr 13, 2022	Rainbow	3,360	2.6	MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Mar 30, 2022	Rainbow	2,800	2.8	MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Jan 18, 2022	Rainbow	2,000	2.1	GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Nov 24, 2021	Rainbow	1,000	1	MOSSYROCK 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.

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.