Lake Tapps is currently open year-round, including the intake canal to within 400 feet of the screen at Dingle Basin. The lake offers very good opportunities for largemouth and smallmouth bass as well as tiger muskies. There is also good fishing for yellow perch and black crappie. Anglers are reminded that all tiger muskies less than 50 inches must be released.
Water access is provided at Lake Tapps North Park (Pierce County) on the northeast shore, which provides a boat ramp, bathrooms, and plenty of bank access. Also, the city of Bonney Lake provides a launch and docks along the western shore at Allan Yorke Park.
The lake's water level is normally down throughout the winter and early spring, which may limit boat access. There remains limited shoreline access at the public access sites.
Two-pole fishing is allowed
Shoreline access: Good - There are a lot of houses around the lake, but there is very good shore access at Lake Tapps North Park.
Species you might catch
Lake information
County: Pierce
Acreage: 2433.10 ac.
Elevation: 546 ft.
Center: 47.214209, -122.169187
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Fishing prospects calendar
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.
Smallmouth 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.
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