Williams Lake

Fourteen miles north of Colville this lake has an elevation of 1950 feet. The fishing season is open from the first Friday after Thanksgiving through March 31. This "winter-only" lake normally produces rainbow trout in the 10- to 13-inch range, with carryovers in excess of 14 inches.

Williams Lake is highly productive and an aerator must be operated during winter months (November - March) to prevent winter-kill.  An open-water area is maintained by the aerator in the center of the lake during periods of ice cover.  Anglers should stay well away from the thin ice and open water at all times.  In rare instances when the aerator malfunctions (power outages, mechanical failure), a thin layer of ice quickly forms over the open-water area.  This thin layer of ice cannot support human weight, and snow cover can make it difficult to tell accurately where the ice is thin.  Therefore, anglers should avoid the center of the lake at all times.  Although every effort is made to regularly check and maintain the aerator, breakdowns occasionally occur.  WDFW requests that anglers call 509-563-5490 if the Williams Lake aerator is not functioning during winter.

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Good for ice fishing

Shoreline access: Good - Due to winter-only season, lake is usually ice-covered, so walk-in access is good.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Stevens
Acreage: 34.30 ac.
Elevation: 1954 ft.
Center: 48.755139, -117.967317
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: WILLIAMS LK (STEV)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Sep 22, 2022 Rainbow 1,631 1.3 FORD HATCHERY
Sep 29, 2021 Rainbow 1,500 1.9 FORD HATCHERY
Apr 30, 2018 Rainbow 2,500 3 FORD HATCHERY
Nov 4, 2015 Rainbow 2,100 3 COLVILLE HATCHERY
Sep 28, 2014 Rainbow 500 1.5 COLVILLE HATCHERY
Apr 15, 2010 Rainbow 1,400 0.7 TROUT LODGE COMMERCIAL
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

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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

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.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Photos
Williams Lake
Photo by WDFW