Where to go?

[kcc]

Well I just moved to Tacoma, and even though I'm not that far from my old fishing grounds(s. king co) I'd like to explore some new lakes here in Pierce co. Any suggestions as to where I can go with good bank or dock access and a good likelyhood of catching fish, just not too secluded as being female i dont like trekking the woods by myself. I have a boat but I suck at the launches by myself so I restrict myself to the shore. Im willing to drive at least an hour south. Any help would be appreciated, I want to try someplace new this weekend. Thanks

[Toni]

1) I have heard that they catch fish at the launch at Kapowsin where there is a small dock.
2) I know that at Rapjohn the boat launch produces trout. It isn't too large but bigger than Clear Lake.
3) There were 3 guys catching trout at the boat launch at Clear Lake yesterday but on a weekend it would be impossible because of boat traffic. The launch is small.
4) Tanwax boat launch produces fish and there are 2 resorts with docks there. They are on each end of the lake.
5) Silver Lake has a large dock and a resort. It has produced this year.
6) Harts lake boat launch has a little room and I have seen trout and catfish caught there. There is a resort with a dock but they are not always open. It is right next to the launch.
7) Ward lake in Olympia has a large area for fishing next to the boat launch. It produces trout.
8) American Lake in Tacoma has 2 boat launches and I have only been to the one but it has large area to fish. Bills boat house has a dock and people catch fish there.
9) Bradley Lake on South Hill Puyallup has bank access all around it. You can fish there until the kids derby when they close it to adults. Bass, trout, carp there.

These are just the ones I have been to. I am also a woman but I take my boat where ever I want to. Somedays I can launch good and others I can't...it's the hormones!

Most of these lakes are east of Tacoma except Ward and American.
Bradley is north of Tacoma on the way to south King county.

[kcc]

Thanks Toni, you have given me and my maps a workout. May give Tanwax a try.

[gpc]

There is a ton of lakes in the Eatonvile area, Toni named a lot of them. Mineral is another one down there, as well as Ohop. Mineral is a great lake with a very productive fishing dock that is only $5 or so to fish.

Forget Alder and bank fishing, almost need a boat there.

Another good area down there is the Tenino area. McIntosh, Offut and Deep are all decent lakes. Mcintosh has a small bank fishing area but produces some decent fish. Offut you have a small bank area or fish from the private dock for a fee. Deep lake has a state park with a ton of bank access.

[Toni]

Mineral is further out than I thought she wanted to go. I did forget Ohop which has lots of bank access. I also forgot Erickson's on Kapowsin which has a dock.

[rjn cajun]

I just came from kapowsin today and the water temp is down alot from last week. Not sure if it has a huge affect on trout but the bass seem to have vanished. Wasn`t much hittin before anyway.Spent all day on the water. Myself bass fishing with only a couple bites and my brother in law trout fishing. All in all got one bow at 12". Not a good day Iwon`t be back till it warms up. Just thought I would let you know.

[JM73]

I've lived in Tacoma most of my life and I can say, out of the suggestions you have received, Silver Lake would be the easiest in my opinion. It's about 45min S from central Tacoma on the Old Mountain Highway. The fishing dock is always productive and they stocked it pretty well this year, including some jumbos. Not to mention you have a chance to land Brown trout, which is rare on the West side.

I've also been fishing on American Lake twice this year, including last weekend. We caught lots of fish in my boat trolling spoons and spinners (I posted a report with more details if you care to look). I also observed several people (probably 6) land fish from the Bill's Boathouse Fishing dock during the twenty minutes I was there, at around 2pm. Most were bait fishing with bobbers or off the bottom. This would also be an easy destination to check out.

In regards to having a boat and not being comfortable/confident in using it, ....forget that! I've been witness to my share of 'bad boat trailer driving' and I can safely say that there are plenty of people out there that are terrible at launching a boat. That doesn't mean they have less of a right than anyone else, to use the facilities that are provided for public use. The only way to get better at launching your boat is through practice. So you may take a little longer than the next person, big deal. Take your time and be safe, you shouldn't have any problems. I fish solo quite a bit in Puget Sound and am often launching and retrieving my boat by myself. More often than not, people are willing to help single boaters get in and out of the water without even asking, in my experience. You can catch a lot more fish with a boat, so it would be very beneficial for you to become familiar/comfortable with its use.

Just my two cents.

Good luck and welcome to the neighborhood.

[fishaholictaz]

If you have a boat Offut is a great lake to get to know if you want to fish a lake with big fish potential. Watched a friend loose the biggest trout I ever saw in a lake. Hooked and lost a couple bass over 10 lbs. Landed a couple 6 lbers and an 8 lber. Even if you have no boat the guys that fish the dock at the resort often will catch a few 3-5 lb. fish a year. Also the Olympia area has some other great fishing. Send me a PM if you want more info on Thurston Co..