Lacamas 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.

This lake was formed from a pre-historic channel of the Columbia River.The lake suffers from over-enrichment causing oxygen depletion, over abundance of plants and algae.

The lake is primarily stocked with Brown and Rainbow Trout; however, there is a good population of Yellow Perch and other warmwater species. The lake is located one mile north of Camas.

Round Lake, located at the southeast end of the lake provides good bank access for trout and warmwater fishing.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Shore access is limited to the public.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Clark
Acreage: 250.40 ac.
Elevation: 182 ft.
Center: 45.616843, -122.425798
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: LACAMAS LK (CLAR)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Feb 27, 2023	Rainbow	4,000	2.6	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Nov 28, 2022	Rainbow	6,000	2.4	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Apr 4, 2022	Rainbow	5,000	2.6	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Mar 1, 2022	Rainbow	4,000	2.5	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Nov 29, 2021	Rainbow	6,000	2.6	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Apr 6, 2021	Rainbow	6,000	2.5	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Mar 8, 2021	Rainbow	4,000	2.5	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Dec 7, 2020	Rainbow	1,500	2.4	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
Dec 1, 2020	Rainbow	4,550	2.4	VANCOUVER HATCHERY
May 27, 2020	Rainbow	175	0.25	VANCOUVER HATCHERY

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.

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.

Northern pikeminnow

Fishing success for Northern Pikeminnow increases in May and June as water temperatures increase, and generally peaks in late June, although fishing conditions can vary throughout the Columbia River. After a lull during the heat of summer, fishing success peaks again in late September-early October. Northern Pikeminnow congregate in rocky areas with fast currents near dams, islands, stream mouths, points, eddies, rows of pilings, and ledges or bars in the river. Sunrise, sunset, and night are generally the best fishing times. Studies show there are greater concentrations of Northern Pikeminnow in shallow water during low-light conditions.