Lake Sutherland

Located ten miles southwest of Port Angeles this body of water is open from the last Saturday in April through October 31st for resident Coastal Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout and Kokanee. A minimum size limit of 6 inches and maximum of 18 inches provides protection for rearing juvenile Kokanee/Sockeye salmon, and any returning Sockeye salmon adults following removal of the Elwha River dams. Plants of trout into Lake Sutherland have been suspended while dam removal and fish restoration activities proceed.

Two-pole fishing is NOT allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Limited shoreline access; much of the shoreline is privately owned.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Clallam
Acreage: 351.30 ac.
Elevation: 528 ft.
Center: 48.078623, -123.715003
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: LK SUTHERLAND (CLAL)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Apr 12, 2007 Rainbow 200 0.78 EELLS SPRINGS
Mar 28, 2006 Rainbow 300 1 SOLDUC HATCHERY
May 3, 2005 Rainbow 2,000 3 SOLDUC HATCHERY
Mar 16, 2005 Rainbow 300 1 SOLDUC HATCHERY
Mar 3, 2004 Rainbow 310 0.97 SOLDUC HATCHERY
Apr 30, 2001 Rainbow 2,113 2.5 SOLDUC HATCHERY
May 4, 1999 Rainbow 1,711 2.9 SOLDUC HATCHERY
May 4, 1998 Rainbow 1,999 2.4 SOLDUC HATCHERY
Mar 27, 1998 Rainbow 7,997 2.7 SOLDUC HATCHERY
May 5, 1997 Rainbow 1,000 2.5 SOLDUC 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

Coastal cutthroat trout (resident)

Fishing is best for Coastal Cutthroat in the spring and fall. There is a summer lull as fish move offshore into deeper waters to escape the summer heat in July and August. Catch is lowest in the late-winter while adults are spawning in tributary streams.
Chart of 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