Rainbow Lake

2024 Trout Derby

4 prizes are waiting to be claimed!

Prizes already claimed here:
  • 2-Night Stay in "Tiny Home"
  • $30 Gift Card
  • $30 Gift Card
  • $30 Gift Card
  • $30 Gift Card
  • $25 Gift Card

Catch a tagged fish? Fill out the prize claim form.
Forget where to collect your prize? Recover your prize details.

Rainbow Lake is showing physical signs of a potential blue-green algae outbreak, also known as cyanobacteria. Columbia County Health Department staff has been alerted and is working with the Department of Ecology to potentially submit samples for testing for cyanobacteria. Although not all blue-green blooms are toxic, the Washington State Department of health encourages people to Avoid contact with water containing algae and keep pets and livestock away from the water. More information on blue-green algae is on the Washington State Department of Health website.

Along the Tucannon Road south of Marengo, this small bank fishing only lake off the Tucannon River is located within the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wooten Wildlife Area. This lake is well stocked with 10-12 inch Rainbow Trout, plus some jumbo (14 inch plus) rainbows. 

Rainbow Lake offers ADA accessible recreation, see Washington State Parks website.

This lake is also located close to campgrounds on the Wooten Wildlife Area,  U.S. Forest Service campgrounds and nearby KOA Campground at the Last Resort.  Camp Wooten State Park, National Forest lands, and the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness are nearby.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - excellent shoreline access with a few spits that extend out into the lake

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Columbia
Acreage: 7.80 ac.
Elevation: 2213 ft.
Center: 46.313936, -117.660611
Open in Google Maps

Find lowland lakes

View larger map

Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: RAINBOW LK (COLU)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Jun 3, 2024 Rainbow 261 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
May 31, 2024 Rainbow 2,000 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
May 22, 2024 Rainbow 2,550 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
May 10, 2024 Rainbow 2,550 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
May 8, 2024 Rainbow 50 0.67 LYONS FERRY HATCHERY
Apr 25, 2024 Rainbow 2,725 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Apr 23, 2024 Rainbow 1,137 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Apr 10, 2024 Rainbow 50 0.67 LYONS FERRY HATCHERY
Apr 2, 2024 Rainbow 1,300 2.5 TUCANNON HATCHERY
Mar 20, 2024 Rainbow 1,000 2.5 LYONS FERRY 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