Washington lake guide
Waitts Lake Fishing
Waitts Lake west of Valley is a year-round Stevens County fishery where WDFW plants rainbow and brown trout annually. Largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead and pumpkinseed are also present, and WDFW identifies the lake as an ice-fishing destination.
LocationStevens County, Washington
Primary targetsLargemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch
Best seasonSpring through fall
Lake size469.7 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Average depth40 feet
Max depth68 feet
Elevation1,950 feet
Summer cautionHeat
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.
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What makes Waitts Lake distinctive
Waitts Lake reaches about 68 feet at its deepest documented point.
FishyNW documents 6 fish species here, giving Waitts Lake an unusually broad mix of fishing opportunities.
Waitts Lake is documented in Stevens 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.
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
Yellow Perch
Use small jigs, bait, or dropper rigs near schools.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Brown Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Catfish and bullheads
Brown Bullhead
See bottom-oriented tactics, timing, bait options, and handling tips.
View species guide
Bass and sunfish
Pumpkinseed
See cover, seasonal movement, presentations, and practical gear tips.
View species guide
Stocking information
Waitts 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 stocked301,275
Stocking events32
Years stocked5
Species stocked2
Species in this period: Brown Trout, Rainbow
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 2026 | Rainbow | 29,000 | 5 fish/lb (~0.2 lb each) | WAITTS LK NET PENS · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Rainbow | 200 | 0.33 fish/lb (~3.03 lb each) | SPOKANE HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Last checked: Aug 26, 2026 6:24pm
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
7
verified signals
Research & surveys
Agency-backed record
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
- Heat, 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
perch, 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.
Getting on the water
Access and launches
WDFW provides a year-round access area with one concrete boat ramp, parking, and restroom. Shoreline access is concentrated around the launch; private resorts offer additional dock fishing.
Sorry, there are no mapped boat ramps for this lake yet. Check the access information below for other ways to reach the water.
Official field updates Recent surveys and fishing pressure
Official surveys and pressure information can help with trip planning. Conditions change, and these updates do not guarantee current fishing.
Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Largemouth bass, Yellow perch
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife source check includes catch, creel, harvest, or angler effort language for Waitts Lake. Use this as a recent planning clue for Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Largemouth bass, Yellow perch, not a live bite report.
Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Largemouth bass, Yellow perch
WDFW says Waitts Lake is open year-round, brown and rainbow trout are planted annually, and largemouth bass and yellow perch are also available.
Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Largemouth bass, Yellow perch
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife source check includes stocking or hatchery context for Waitts Lake. This can help with trout family planning, but does not guarantee catch rates.
Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Largemouth bass, Yellow perch
WDFW lists annual brown and rainbow trout plants at Waitts Lake, warmwater species, limited shoreline access around the boat launch, private resort dock fishing, and ice fishing opportunity.
Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Largemouth bass, Yellow perch
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife source check includes access, launch, shore, parking, or facilities context for Waitts Lake. Use this as a trip planning aid before you leave.
Local angler stops
Nearby bait & tackle
Independent and locally owned shops near this water. Call ahead if you need a specific bait or item.
Crawdad's Bait & Tackle at Onion Creek General Store
Local rural bait and tackle shopColville, Washington · Small Stevens County rural bait/tackle counter inside Onion Creek General Store with locally relevant fishing gear and supplies.
NORTH 2 TACKLE
Locally owned bait and tackle shopElk, Washington · Local bait and tackle with ice-fishing gear and hard-to-find bait for northeast Spokane-area waters.
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
Jumpoff Joe Lake
about 5.6 miles away
Jumpoff Joe Lake is a 114.9-acre year-round Stevens County fishery combining stocked rainbow and brown trout with largemouth…
Deer Lake about 10.6 miles awayDeer Lake is a 1,146.4-acre Stevens County mixed fishery with lake trout and stocked brook trout alongside bass,…
Loon Lake about 12.3 miles awayLoon Lake is a larger Stevens County lake known for kokanee, tiger trout, bass, and perch.
Phillips Lake — Stevens County about 17.2 miles awayPhillips Lake is a tiny Stevens County brook-trout water best approached as a bank or hand-carry fishing stop…
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.