Washington lake guide
Lake Morton Fishing
Lake Morton is a King County mixed fishery with stocked Rainbow Trout and resident Largemouth Bass. WDFW documents a northwest-shore public boat ramp, while King County maintains current lake-monitoring information that adds useful environmental context.
LocationKing County, Washington
Primary targetsLargemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout
Best seasonSpring through fall
Lake size66.3 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Average depth15 feet
Max depth23 feet
Elevation526 feet
Summer cautionWarm water
Lake map
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What makes Lake Morton distinctive
Lake Morton has documented stocking context in the FishyNW research record, adding a managed-fishery component to its profile.
Lake Morton is documented in King County County with a dedicated FishyNW fishing and access profile.
Measured & official data
Water Science
Loading available public monitoring and fishery science…
Pass 3 · depth + water column
Seasonal Fish Habitat
Surface · 0 ft
How to read this data
Temperature, dissolved oxygen, clarity, nutrients, chlorophyll-a, pH, and conductivity are observations from public monitoring records and may be historical. Thermocline depth is shown only when FishyNW can derive a strong vertical temperature gradient from a measured profile. It is not treated as a permanent lake characteristic.
Trophic indication uses the Carlson Trophic State Index only when FishyNW can normalize a measured chlorophyll-a, Secchi, or total-phosphorus value. It is a derived ecological indicator, not an agency impairment determination.
Seasonal Fish Habitat is shown only when verified bathymetry overlaps a same-day, same-station temperature and dissolved-oxygen profile. It is a historical screening snapshot, not a live prediction of where fish are located.
For lake trout, FishyNW uses the broader USGS-tested screening combination of water at or below 15°C (59°F) and dissolved oxygen at or above 4 mg/L. For other coldwater species, FishyNW does not invent a preferred-temperature threshold; it shows only the observed thermocline-to-oxygenated-depth refuge when the evidence supports it.
Harmful-algae status is never inferred from missing data. Always check the linked state source for current advisories before contact recreation.
Open matched Water Quality Portal recordsFishery record
Documented fish species
These species come from the lake record. Open a species guide for identification, seasonal behavior, and practical tactics without confusing general species guidance with a lake-specific survey result.
Stocking information
Lake Morton Fish Stocking
Recent stocking information summarized from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Dates and quantities can change. Always verify current fishing rules with the official agency before fishing.
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 15, 2012 | Coho | 230 | 500 fish/lb (~0 lb each) | MORTON JHS HS · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
| May 7, 1998 | Kokanee | 13,005 | 765 fish/lb (~0 lb each) | LAKEWOOD HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Last checked: Aug 17, 2026 4:32am
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
9
verified signals
Research & surveys
Official survey records available
Use the evidence
Turn records into a fishing plan
- Compare survey evidence with the seasonal guide.
- Use the map to connect depth, access, and structure.
- Confirm current rules and access before your trip.
Trip conditions
Current conditions
Loading the local forecast. Check access and official notices before leaving.
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Four day outlook
Tools
Today's Lure Pick
Open Tools for species-specific lure guidance.
Angler interpretation
How the fishery changes through the seasons
This is the practical layer: use it alongside the documented species, depth, stocking, survey, access, and regulation record above. The current season opens first.
Spring
trout, bass- Start here
- Cooler water, recent stocking, fish moving shallow, and protected shorelines or inlets that warm first.
- Watch for
- Cold fronts, changing water levels, muddy inflow, and early-season ramp conditions.
Summer
bass- Start here
- Fish early or late, then adjust toward deeper water, shade, vegetation, or comfortable temperature zones.
- Watch for
- Warm water, weeds, algae, heat, and heavier boat traffic.
Fall
trout, bass- Start here
- Cooling water, shoreline structure, points, weed edges, and simple presentations that let you cover water.
- Watch for
- Wind on open water, rapidly changing weather, and shorter daylight windows.
Winter
trout- Start here
- Legal open-water or ice access, stable depth zones, and conservative cold-weather trip plans.
- Watch for
- Ice safety where relevant, ramps, road conditions, cold-water exposure, and current rules.
Know before you go
Rules and restrictions
Verify current WDFW statewide and water-specific rules before fishing.
Getting on the water
Access and launches
WDFW documents a public boat ramp on the northwest shore. The lake is a straightforward small-water option for trailerable boats, kayaks, and other small craft.
Sorry, there are no mapped boat ramps for this lake yet. Check the access information below for other ways to reach the water.
Local angler stops
Nearby bait & tackle
Independent and locally owned shops near this water. Call ahead if you need a specific bait or item.
Puget Sound Fly Shop
Family- and veteran-owned independent fly shopTacoma, Washington · Independent Tacoma fly shop with rods, reels, flies, tying materials, instruction, and local knowledge for South Sound, trout, and steelhead fisheries.
Narrows Marina Bait & Tackle
Independent marina bait and tackle shopTacoma, Washington · South Sound bait-and-tackle store carrying live and frozen bait, salmon and bottomfish tackle, river gear, rods, reels, downriggers, crab and shrimp gear, and fishing licenses.
Gig Harbor Fly Shop
Independent full-service fly shopGig Harbor, Washington · Long-running independent fly shop with regional flies, rods, reels, tying gear, classes, rentals, and local lake, river, and Puget Sound fishing knowledge.
Local-business listings can change. FishyNW does not rank shops by payment or sponsorship. Verify current hours and inventory before driving.
Keep exploring
Nearby waters
Lake Sawyer
about 2.3 miles away
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Lake Meridian about 4.1 miles awayLake Meridian is included in FishyNW's contour-required Washington expansion because mapped depth structure is useful to anglers for…
Shadow Lake (King County) about 5.6 miles awayShadow Lake is a King County trout-and-warmwater fishery with stocked Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. A…
Fish Lake (King County) about 7.1 miles awayFish Lake in King County is a compact trout-and-bass fishery with stocked Rainbow Trout, resident Coastal Cutthroat Trout,…
After the trip
Log what happened on the water
Use CatchSignal for catch reports, trip history, photos, and community activity. Keep your fishing history while controlling how much location detail you share.
Sources & feedback
Verified resources
Official links for this lake
Open the source that matches what you are planning.
Community feedback
See something that needs an update?
Send the correction and, when possible, the source. FishyNW reviews submissions before changing the guide.