Open year-round, Tanwax Lake offers optimal opportunity to harvest hatchery-stocked rainbow trout, naturally reproducing largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead catfish, and pumpkinseed sunfish. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, "Crappie is managed with a 9-inch minimum size and a 10 fish bag limit."
Local fish hatcheries periodically release species of fish throughout the year. In fact, justlast November, Eells Springs released 1,002 Rainbow Trout at 0.78 per pound.
The 172-acre lake is located just steps away from Camp Lakeview's property in Graham, Washington. Here, overnight guests and day visitors alike have access to the property's fishing dock, shoreline, and even a boat launch for a small fee.
Fishing Prospects Calendar
While the Washington state lake is open year-round, fishing at different times of the year may be ideal if you're looking to catch a specific species. Read on to find out the best time of year to fish at Tanwax Lake according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Rainbow Trout
The most ideal time to catch Rainbow Trout is in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide; however, they can be caught year-round in most waters with some patience and persistence. The success rate remains high into June but slowly declines afterward as lake temperatures increase and fish migrate offshore to stay cool. Oftentimes, fish that escaped the spring harvest return to nearshore areas in the fall as the waters cool off. Some waters such as Tanwax Lake may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.
Largemouth Bass
Fishing for largemouth bass improves throughout the spring when the water warms up and the fish move closer to the shore, peaking during the spawn. While the summer months might have a slight lull, fishing during dawn and dusk hours can be ideal for catching largemouth bass. As the waters cool down in the fall, catch improves- especially as the aquatic vegetation begins to die back and prey becomes more available. Winter can be the hardest season to catch the bass because fish are offshore and slow-moving during this time.
Pumpkinseed Sunfish
Pumpkinseed Sunfish are frequently found in most lowland lakes and can be caught year-round; however, ideal fishing for this species is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. As temperatures cool down, these fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall, making it more difficult to target them. While colder months are the most difficult season to catch Pumpkinseed, persistent anglers can find nice-sized schools further offshore.
Black Crappie
Fishing for black crappie improves throughout the spring and peaks during the spawn. In the summer you might notice a slight lull; however it picks up in the fall as waters cool, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. During winter, the bite is slower, but anglers can have great success fishing through the ice when conditions are safe.
Yellow Perch
Yellow Perch can be caught year-round at Tanwax Lake. Fishing is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April through May. Yellow Perch 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; however, anglers can still catch them in boats. To successfully catch yellow perch in the winter, target schools of these fish in deeper waters from a boat or through the ice.
Looking for more information on fishing at Tanwax Lake? Check out the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations/lowland-lakes/tanwax-lake#prospects.