• What To Do
  • Fishing

    As mentioned, there are eight stocked ponds that make up the Tucannon Lakes. These lakes are presented in the order in which you will encounter them driving up Tucannon Road. All averages presented are based on the last three years of data released by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Lake are stocked with rainbow trout from the nearby Tucannon Fish Hatchery as well as the Lyons Ferry Hatchery. Fishing regulations are highly specific and based on location and species. Please always consult the latest information available from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
    
    Spring Lake is a 4.4 acre lake that is quite well stocked, with an average of 15,000 fish per year. Two pole fishing is allowed with endorsement at Spring Lake. Blue Lake is a 2.4 acre lake and is the heaviest stocked lake in the Tucannon Lakes system, with an average of over 24,000 fish per year. Two pole fishing is allowed at Blue Lake. Rainbow Lake is a 7.8 acre lake and is another one of the lakes receiving a robust number of hatchery rainbow trout, with an average of over 15,000 fish per year. Two pole fishing is allowed with endorsement at Rainbow Lake.
    
    Deer Lake is a 2.1 acre lake. It is one of the least stocked lakes at an average of just under 4,000 fish per year. Two pole fishing is allowed with endorsement at Deer Lake. Watson Lake is a 4.4 acre lake. It is well stocked with an average of over 16,000 fish per year. Two pole fishing is allowed with endorsement at Watson Lake. Beaver Lake is adjacent to Watson Lake, which is also open to fish. It is no longer stocked as it serves as a sediment trap. Big Four Lake is the sole fly fishing only lake in southeast Washington. It is 3.3 acres and the least stocked of all the lakes at an average of just under 2,000 fish per year. Getting to this lake requires that you wade across the Tucannon River, so proceed with caution. Two pole fishing is not allowed at Big Four Lake.
    
    Curl Lake is the smallest of the lakes at two acres and is moderately stocked at an average of just under 9,000 fish per year. This lake is unique in that it is used as an acclimation pond for spring Chinook salmon. It is the only lake not open year-round. The season begins in May. Two pole fishing is allowed with endorsement at Curl Lake.

• When To Go

  March through May provide the best fishing opportunities as well as in the fall. All lakes except Curl Lake are open year-round. Curl Lake opens in May.

• How To Get There

  Please do not solely rely on Google Maps as their route might not always reflect what is maintained. Take HWY 12 east for 31 miles to Dayton, WA. Pass through Dayton, and as the road makes a sharp bend to the left turn right onto Patit Road. Patit Road runs roughly 14 miles and ends at Hartsock Grade Road. Take a left on Hartsock Grade Road. Drive another three miles down this steep gravel road to meet Tucannon Road, and take a right on Tucannon Road. Spring Lake is just under five miles ahead on the right side of the road and is the first lake of the seven stocked lakes. The parking is located on the right side of the road just after the bridge. If winter comes early or hangs around late, this route may be closed. There is a flashing sign at the Patit Road turn off that lets you know if the road is open or closed. In case this route is closed, continue on HWY 12 for 13 more miles and take a right onto Tucannon Road just after crossing the Tucannon River bridge. Follow for roughly 20 miles to Spring Lake and parking is on the right. There are other parking areas roughly four miles from Spring Lake near Big Four Lake. The Google Map link provided takes fishing enthusiasts to The Last Resort, which is met via both sets of directions. The lakes begin roughly two miles down the road.

Please do not solely rely on Google Maps as their route might not always reflect what is maintained.

• Your Public Lands

  Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area

• Distance:

  Within 1.5 Hours

• Difficulty Level:

  Day Tripper

• Seasons:

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

• Elevation:

  2,085 feet - 2,560 feet

• Pets:

  No

• Reservations:

  N/A

• ADA:

  Yes

• Multi-Use:

  N/A

• Motorized Vehicles :

  N/A

• Fees

  None

• Permits

  Valid Washington fishing license (if fishing). Fishing licenses are available online via the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife or local retail shops such as Bi-Mart, Wal-Mart, Sportsman's Warehouse, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Cascade Farm and Outdoor, and Dunning Irrigation. Also required is either a WDFW Vehicle Access Pass (free with the purchase of a fishing or hunting license) or a Discover Pass.

• Regulations

  Fishing regulations are highly specific and based on location and species. Please always consult the latest information available from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. All lakes are bank fishing only.

• Amenities

  There are restroom facilities at Spring Lake, Rainbow Lake, Watson Lake, Big Four Lake, and Curl Lake. It is our experience that there is also bathrooms at Blue Lake. All facilities are located in the parking area. Only minutes away is the Last Resort where additional supplies are available. They also have virtually real-time information on when the ponds are stocked.