Offutt Lake

2024 Trout Derby lake

Starting soon! For more information about how the trout derby works, important dates, and prizes, visit the 2024 Trout Derby page.

Offut Lake is open year-round. Sport fishing is good for stocked rainbow trout, cutthroat trout (pictured), and the occasional brown trout. The lake also supports naturally reproducing largemouth bass, yellow perch, and brown bullhead catfish.

The WDFW access is located on the west side of the lake and offers a boat launch with two toilets and limited parking. The Offutt Lake Resort, located on the east site of the lake, offers lodging, and boat and dock rentals. Anglers are reminded that the lake has a 5 mph speed limit.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Limited to ~100 feet of bank area around boat ramp.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Thurston
Acreage: 191.20 ac.
Elevation: 234 ft.
Center: 46.917373, -122.828873
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: OFFUTT LK (THUR)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Mar 15, 2023	Rainbow	4,590	2.7	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Nov 21, 2022	Rainbow	1,010	0.78	EELLS SPRINGS
Sep 27, 2022	Cutthroat	125	24	EELLS SPRINGS
Sep 27, 2022	Rainbow	175	1	EELLS SPRINGS
May 24, 2022	Rainbow	200	0.9	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Apr 19, 2022	Rainbow	9,993	2.3	OFFUTT LK NP
Mar 22, 2022	Rainbow	5,000	2.4	PUYALLUP HATCHERY
Feb 3, 2022	Rainbow	300	0.2	EELLS SPRINGS
Nov 22, 2021	Rainbow	1,065	0.71	EELLS SPRINGS
Aug 18, 2021	Rainbow	200	1.11	EELLS SPRINGS

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.

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.

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.

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.

Photos

Photo by WDFW