Vance Creek Pond 1 (Bowers 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.

"Bowers Lake" also called Vance Creek Pond # 1 (the first pond on the north side of Wenzel Slough road just east of Lake Inez) is open only to juveniles, seniors, and holders of disability and a reduced-fee license or designated harvester cards.

This lake is stocked multiple times annually with Rainbow Trout to provide consistent fishing action.

Two-pole fishing is NOT allowed

Special fishing restrictions:

Open for juvenile anglers, senior anglers and anglers with a disability who possess a designated harvester companion card only.

Shoreline access: Good - Shore access is very good around most of the county park. There is no boat access ramp. However, small watercraft are carried a short distance from the parking lots.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Grays Harbor
Acreage: 12.60 ac.
Elevation: 24 ft.
Center: 46.997779, -123.411846
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Fishing resources

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.

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.