Ward 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.

This relatively deep lake is primarily managed for Rainbow Trout and Kokanee. The lake supports good harvest opportunity for hatchery Rainbow Trout 9-15" and Kokanee up to 15" as well as naturally reproducing populations of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill Sunfish, Coastal Cutthroat Trout and Rock Bass. Rainbow Trout are typically caught trolling lures or still-fishing bait on the bottom or under a bobber. Success targeting Kokanee is found while fishing with downriggers or leaded line with a baited wedding ring or spoon. The Kokanee fishery can start off slow in April but fishes well as the weather warms. During the dog days of summer early mornings and late evenings can yield good catches of delicious Kokanee.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Bank fishing includes the area around the boat launch on the east side of the lake.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Thurston
Acreage: 66.10 ac.
Elevation: 162 ft.
Center: 47.008767, -122.875442
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants

Release Location: WARD LK (THUR)
Stock Date	Species	Number Released	Number of Fish Per Pound	Facility
Apr 20, 2021	Rainbow	1,835	2.25	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 20, 2021	Rainbow	1,835	2.4	EELLS SPRINGS
Jan 7, 2021	Cutthroat	164	0.72	EELLS SPRINGS
Nov 23, 2020	Rainbow	300	1.2	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
May 11, 2020	Rainbow	3,010	2.15	EELLS SPRINGS
May 1, 2020	Rainbow	3,620	2.15	EELLS SPRINGS
Nov 25, 2019	Rainbow	300	1	LAKEWOOD HATCHERY
Apr 29, 2019	Rainbow	2,575	2.37	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 24, 2019	Rainbow	2,014	2.37	EELLS SPRINGS
Apr 10, 2019	Cutthroat	225	1.15	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.

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.

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.

Bluegill

Bluegill can be caught year-round, but fishing is best in the warm months of Summer. Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking during the spawn in early-Summer. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season in which to catch Bluegill, but persistent anglers can find them in schools of like-sized fish offshore.

Photos

Photo by WDFW