Washington lake guide
Vancouver Lake Fishing
Vancouver Lake is a large, shallow Columbia River backwater with a diverse warmwater fishery. Water level and tide can materially affect boat navigation, so anglers should plan around shallow conditions and seasonal closure areas.
LocationClark County, Washington
Primary targetsLargemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike
Best seasonSpring through fall
Lake size2,286.7 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Average depth3 feet
Max depth12 feet
Elevation8 feet
Summer cautionWarm water
Lake depth map
Depth contours may take a little time to load. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Contour line20 ft Visible depth label
Source: Washington State Department of Ecology. Historical survey data may not reflect current water levels or underwater hazards. Informational only; not for navigation.
Help us place this lake on the map
FishyNW covers a lot of lakes, and we are hustling to get every map completed accurately. This one slipped through. Know where the map should be centered? Send the coordinates or a Google Maps link and we will review it.
Did you know?
What makes Vancouver Lake distinctive
Vancouver Lake covers roughly 2,287 surface acres, making it one of the larger waters represented in FishyNW.
FishyNW documents 16 fish species here, giving Vancouver Lake an unusually broad mix of fishing opportunities.
Vancouver Lake is documented in Clark 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 recordsOfficial depth chart
Official static bathymetry
Interactive contours available
Vancouver Lake official depth chart
Open the official depth publication to inspect the lake chart. This static survey complements interactive contours when available and should not be used as a navigation chart.
Fishery 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.
Bass and sunfish
Largemouth Bass
Look for weeds, docks, wood, shade, and warmer pockets.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Rainbow Trout
Use bait, small spinners, spoons, or slow trolling depending on access.
View species guide
Perch and pike
Northern Pike
Fish weeds, bays, ambush edges, and baitfish areas.
View species guide
Shad and herring
American Shad
See identification, seasonal behavior, habitat, tactics, and gear guidance.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Black Crappie
See cover, seasonal movement, presentations, and practical gear tips.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Bluegill
See cover, seasonal movement, presentations, and practical gear tips.
View species guide
Catfish and bullheads
Brown Bullhead
See bottom-oriented tactics, timing, bait options, and handling tips.
View species guide
Catfish and bullheads
Channel Catfish
Use bait near travel routes, deeper holes, flats, or evening feeding areas.
View species guide
Carp and minnows
Chiselmouth
See habitat, seasonal behavior, presentations, and identification details.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Coho Salmon
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Carp and minnows
Common Carp
See habitat, seasonal behavior, presentations, and identification details.
View species guide
Carp and minnows
Northern Pikeminnow
See habitat, seasonal behavior, presentations, and identification details.
View species guide
Carp and minnows
Peamouth
See habitat, seasonal behavior, presentations, and identification details.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Pumpkinseed
See cover, seasonal movement, presentations, and practical gear tips.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Warmouth
See cover, seasonal movement, presentations, and practical gear tips.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
White Crappie
See cover, seasonal movement, presentations, and practical gear tips.
View species guide
Perch and pike
Yellow Perch
Use small jigs, bait, or dropper rigs near schools.
View species guide
Stocking information
Vancouver Lake 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.
Official stocking history
Five-year summary · 2022–2026
View agency record Fish stocked1,192,636
Stocking events118
Years stocked5
Species stocked3
Species in this period: Chum, Coho, Rainbow
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2026 | Rainbow | 3,258 | 1.9 fish/lb (~0.53 lb each) | VANCOUVER HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
| May 20, 2026 | Rainbow | 2,500 | 1.98 fish/lb (~0.51 lb each) | VANCOUVER HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Last checked: Aug 27, 2026 6:12pm
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.
TodayLoading
WindLoading
GustsLoading
Rain chanceLoading
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, panfish, catfish- 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, pike or muskie- 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
perch, trout, panfish- 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
The flushing channel and surrounding area are closed for part of the year. Two-pole fishing is not allowed. Verify current WDFW rules before fishing.
Getting on the water
Access and launches
WDFW documents a primitive south-end boat launch at the Vancouver Lake Wildlife Area with two parking areas and restrooms, plus a second launch near the north end. Low water can make navigation difficult for larger boats.
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.
The Portland Fly Shop
Independent fly fishing shopPortland, Oregon · Independent Portland fly shop with rods, reels, lines, flies, tying materials, instruction, and regional Oregon fishing knowledge.
Discovery Fly Fishing
Independent fly fishing shopSherwood, Oregon · Independent PNW fly shop with rods, reels, lines, flies, tackle, casting instruction, and local fishing support.
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
Klineline Pond
about 3.8 miles away
Klineline Pond is a highly accessible Clark County family fishery with stocked Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Coastal…
Battle Ground Lake about 14.1 miles awayBattle Ground Lake is a Clark County fishing water documented by WDFW. Use the state park dock, bank…
Lacamas Lake about 14.6 miles awayLacamas Lake is a Clark County fishing water documented by WDFW. Start with trout during the cooler stocking…
Horseshoe Lake — Cowlitz County about 15.2 miles awayHorseshoe Lake — Cowlitz County is included in FishyNW’s contour-required Washington expansion because official mapped depth structure is…
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.