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For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 $119.99
Smallmouth Bass
Photo: Yellowstone National Park, Public domain 
Grass Carp
Photo: Pengo, CC BY-SA 2.5 
Kokanee
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0 
Mountain Whitefish
Photo: Mike Cline, Public domain
Washington counties
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 $79.99
Fishing in Pierce County, Washington
County seat: Tacoma. Population 921,130.
- 24lake pages
- 17launches
- 9river pages
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Alder Lake: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Fishing times todaySolunar periods, sunrise and moonrise for Pierce County, today and the next 7 days.Best fishing times today
Pierce County, Washington
Pierce County from a Washington angler's seat
Census takers counted 921,130 people across Pierce County in 2020, and county government sits in Tacoma. Stocking rows for the county carry the WDFW Region 6 label in the WDFW report. WDFW counts 28 lakes in the county among its high lakes, most reached on foot.
24 lakes here carry a full page, together 8,766 acres, the biggest being Alder Lake. Saltwater anglers here fish South Puget Sound, Tacoma-Vashon Island, Carr Inlet and Case Inlet. WDFW distribution maps place salmon or steelhead runs in Puyallup River, Nisqually River, White River (Pierce County) and Carbon River. Boaters get 17 boat launches from the agency layers, managed by 14 WDFW, 2 State Parks and 1 other agencies. The WDFW layer shows 26 shore or access sites for fishing on foot; 10 are piers.
24lake pages
17boat launches
9river pages
33shops listed
Census 2020 population; WDFW Fish Washington lake layers, WDFW facilities and State Parks launch layers (WDFW GIS); WDFW marine areas; retrieved October 31, 2026.
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Pins for every mapped launch across Pierce County
WDFW and State Parks launch layers, WDFW facilities, WDFW lake points, NHD river midpoints and WDFW marine area points. Checked November 2026.
Lakes
Which lakes in Pierce County earned their own guide
| Lake | Acres | Launches | WDFW program | Fish WDFW maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alder Lake | 2,877 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | coastal cutthroat trout, kokanee, largemouth bass |
| Lake Tapps | 2,433 | 0 | Warmwater emphasis | largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, tiger muskie |
| American Lake | 1,091 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass |
| Lake Kapowsin | 490 | 1 | Mixed species – Warmwater emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch |
| Steilacoom Lake | 306 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, rock bass |
| Spanaway Lake | 251 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass |
| Ohop Lake | 218 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Tanwax Lake | 173 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch |
| Clear Lake (Pierce County) | 156 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass |
| Silver Lake (Pierce County) | 133 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Bay Lake | 128 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Harts Lake | 112 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Florence Lake | 65 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass |
| Rapjohn Lake | 59 | 2 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch |
| Crescent Lake (Pierce County) | 49 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Carney Lake | 38 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, brown trout |
| Lake Louise | 38 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Waughop Lake | 30 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Lake Whitman | 29 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Wapato Lake (Pierce County) | 26 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Summit Lake (Pierce County) | 22 | 0 | WDFW high lake, getting started lakes | brook trout, coastal cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Bonney Lake | 17 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Jackson Lake | 15 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout |
| Lake Bradley | 9 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers (surface acres as published, management emphasis, mapped species); WDFW publishes no lake depths in these layers. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
Marine water
Where the Pierce County shoreline meets the salt
WDFW marine areas and regional waters touching Pierce County number 7.
| Water | Kind | Launches | Piers and shore | Marine area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Puget Sound (Marine Area 13) | WDFW marine area | 9 | 4 | 13 |
| Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11) | WDFW marine area | 0 | 8 | 11 |
| Carr Inlet | regional marine water | 1 | 1 | 13 |
| Case Inlet | regional marine water | 5 | 0 | 13 |
| Commencement Bay | regional marine water | 0 | 5 | 11 |
| Nisqually Reach | regional marine water | 1 | 1 | 13 |
| Puget Sound | regional marine water | 34 | 52 | 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 |
NOAA readings on the Pierce County shore
10.35 ftTacoma, MLLW water level, October 31, 2026
NOAA CO-OPS water level, preliminary reading at retrieval (October 31, 2026); station page for live data.
Add 12 marinas from the 2003 to 2006 NOAA ESI atlas, a dated source.
WDFW Recreational Marine Areas (WAC 220-300-160 boundaries), WDFW and State Parks marine launches, WDFW piers and USGS GNIS bay names; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Species
Fish named most often on water near Pierce County
Across water pages within 50 miles of Tacoma, rainbow trout is named more than any other fish.
Species mapped in the WDFW Fish Washington layers, WDFW state records and the 2026 WDFW trout plants, counted per water page within 50 miles; not a survey.
More water
Alpine tarns and ponds dotted over Pierce County
A further 28 lakes in Pierce County are mapped but thin on facts.
| Water | Acres | WDFW program | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echo Lake (Pierce County) | 51 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Cle Elum |
| Cedar Lake | 34 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Buckley |
| Coplay Lake | 18 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Buckley |
| Lost Lake (Pierce County) | 17 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Cle Elum |
| Coundly Lake | 13 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Buckley |
| Lily Lake | 9 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Buckley |
| Lonesome Lake | 8 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Buckley |
| Surprise Lake | 8 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Buckley |
| Lyle Lake | 8 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Buckley |
| Goat Lake | 8 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Eatonville |
| Lost Lake (Pierce County) | 6 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Buckley |
| Pitcher Mountain Lake | 4 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Buckley |
| Lake West | 4 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Eatonville |
| Lake Helen | 4 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Eatonville |
| East Lake | 4 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Buckley |
| Forest Lake | 3 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Enumclaw |
| Hidden Lake | 3 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Cle Elum |
| Elizabeth Lake | 3 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Buckley |
| Lake Christine | 3 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Eatonville |
| EB Pot Lake | 2 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Crocker |
| Lower Henskin Lake | 2 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Buckley |
| George Lake | 2 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Enumclaw |
| No See 'em Lake | 2 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Buckley |
| Decoursey Pond | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | Puyallup |
| No See 'em Pot Lake | 1 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Buckley |
| National Mill Pond | 0 | WDFW high lake, fish stocking | Eatonville |
| Campbell Lake | 0 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Buckley |
| Upper Henskin Lake | 0 | WDFW high lake, overabundant lakes | Buckley |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers and USGS NHD lake outlines, retrieved October 31, 2026.
Rivers
Streams to drift or wade in Pierce County
- Puyallup RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 mapped launch, 1 WDFW shore or access site, 6 USGS gauges, 44 mi in Washington
- Nisqually RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 2 WDFW shore or access sites, 4 USGS gauges, 77 mi in Washington
- White River (Pierce County)SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 9 USGS gauges, 71 mi in Washington
- Carbon RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 USGS gauge, 33 mi in Washington
- Greenwater RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 USGS gauge, 24 mi in Washington
- Mashel RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 USGS gauge, 23 mi in Washington
- Clearwater River (Pierce County)SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 USGS gauge, 12 mi in Washington
- Muddy Fork Cowlitz River14 mi in Washington
- Rocky Creek1 WDFW shore or access site, 5 mi in Washington
More creeks and sloughs of Pierce County (8)
- Little Mashel RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 10 mi in Washington
- Mowich RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 8 mi in Washington
- North Mowich River4 mi in Washington
- North Puyallup River6 mi in Washington
- Ohanapecosh River16 mi in Washington
- South Mowich River5 mi in Washington
- South Puyallup River8 mi in Washington
- West Fork White RiverSWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 20 mi in Washington
River gauges of Pierce County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Puyallup River At Puyallup, Wa | 1,750 cfs, 11.13 ft gage height | Nov 12 6:45 pm |
| Puyallup River At 5th St Bridge At Puyallup, Wa | 1,810 cfs, 18.71 ft gage height | Nov 12 6:30 pm |
| Puyallup River At E Main Bridge At Puyallup, Wa | 880 cfs, 32.63 ft gage height | Nov 12 6:30 pm |
| Puyallup River At Alderton, Wa | 846 cfs, 46.35 ft gage height | Nov 12 6:45 pm |
| White River Above Boise Creek At Buckley, Wa | 583 cfs, 40.55 ft gage height | Nov 12 6:30 pm |
| Puyallup River Near Orting, Wa | 304 cfs, 6.42 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 7:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS NHD flowlines and Washington lengths, WDFW SWIFD salmon and steelhead distribution, WDFW and State Parks launches, USGS gauges; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Stocking
Stocked trout in the lakes of Pierce County
In 2026, 45 WDFW plants put 135,467 trout into 20 waters inside Pierce County.
- Crescent Lake T17Rainbow, 4,000 fish at 2 per pound, June 22, 2026, Puyallup Hatchery
- Lake BradleyRainbow, 1,600 fish at 2 per pound, June 22, 2026, Puyallup Hatchery
- American LakeRainbow, 1,929 fish at 2 per pound, June 22, 2026, Puyallup Hatchery
- Lake LouiseRainbow, 500 fish at 1.67 per pound, June 5, 2026, Chambers Cr Hatchery
- Lake LouiseRainbow, 326 fish at 1 per pound, June 5, 2026, Lakewood Hatchery
- Carney LakeRainbow, 1,810 fish at 1 per pound, June 2, 2026, Lakewood Hatchery
- Jackson LakeRainbow, 1,796 fish at 1.67 per pound, June 1, 2026, Chambers Cr Hatchery
- American LakeRainbow, 4,000 fish at 2.2 per pound, May 28, 2026, Puyallup Hatchery
- Rapjohn LakeRainbow, 400 fish at 0.6 per pound, May 26, 2026, Puyallup Hatchery
- Lake BradleyRainbow, 300 fish at 0.6 per pound, May 26, 2026, Puyallup Hatchery
- Tanwax LakeRainbow, 2,773 fish at 2 per pound, May 20, 2026, Puyallup Hatchery
- Wapato Lake (Pierce County)Rainbow, 2,100 fish at 2.1 per pound, May 19, 2026, Puyallup Hatchery
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026; newest plants first.
Access
Ramp and pier inventory for Pierce County
- American Lake boat launchAmerican Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Bay Lake boat launchBay Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, gravel surface, Discover Pass
- Bonney Lake boat launchBonney Lake, City of Bonney Lake, 1 ramp
- Carney Lake boat launchCarney Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, gravel surface, Discover Pass
- Clear Lake boat launch (west)Clear Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Crescent Lake boat launch (south)Crescent Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, gravel surface, Discover Pass
- Harts Lake boat launchHarts Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Jackson Lake boat launchJackson Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, gravel surface, Discover Pass
- Lake Kapowsin boat launchLake Kapowsin, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Lake Whitman boat launchLake Whitman, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Ohop Lake boat launchOhop Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Rapjohn Lake boat launchRapjohn Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, gravel surface, Discover Pass
- Tanwax Lake boat launchTanwax Lake, WDFW, 1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass
- Weiss boat launch on Puyallup RiverPuyallup River, WDFW, 1 ramp, unimproved surface surface, Discover Pass
- Joemma Beach boat launch on Case InletCase Inlet, State Parks, boat ramp
- Penrose Point, pier and floats on Carr InletCarr Inlet, State Parks, boat ramp
- Public launch on Rapjohn LakeRapjohn Lake, WDFW, gravel surface, Discover Pass
A Discover Pass is marked as required at 14 of the launches above.
Piers and bank access across Pierce County (26)
- Clyde Davidson Pier (Steilacoom)fishing pier, Marine Area 13
- Fox Island Fishing Pier on Carr Inletfishing pier, Marine Area 13
- Les Davis Pier on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11
- Old Town Dock on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11
- Point Defiance Marina Boathouse on Commencement Bayfishing pier, Marine Area 11
- Sumner Sportsmen's on Puyallup Riverwater access area
- American Lake fishing piershore fishing site, Public docks, over 300 feet of shore fishing
- American Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Over 400 feet of shore fishing at boat launch
- Bay Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing at boat launch
- Bradley Lake fishing piershore fishing site, Public pier, open only to juveniles (14 and younger), senior
- Bradley Lake shore accessshore fishing site, shore fishing, open only to juveniles (14 and younger), seni
- Florence Lake fishing piershore fishing site, Public dock, shore fishing
- Harts Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing at boat launch
- Jackson Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing at primitive boat launch
- Lake Kapowsin fishing piershore fishing site, Public dock, limited shore fishing
- Lake Kapowsin shore accessshore fishing site, Trail around lake provides additional shore fishing
- Lake Whitman shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing at boat launch
- Ohop Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing
- Ohop Lake shore access near Clear Lakeshore fishing site, Shore fishing, limited by vegetation
- Rapjohn Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing at boat launch
- Steilacoom Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing
- Tanwax Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing access
- Wapato Lake fishing piershore fishing site, Public dock, limited shore fishing
- Wapato Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Shore fishing
- Wapato Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Paved trails provide shore fishing around entire lake
- Waughop Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Walking trail provides shore fishing around entire lake
WDFW Facilities layer (boat launches, piers, shore sites) and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026. Lanes and per-launch fees are not published in these layers.
Regulations
Statewide freshwater rules across Pierce County
The baseline for Pierce County is the statewide freshwater table; named waters below set their own terms. Lake and river trips call for the Freshwater license: $39.95 if you live in Washington, $115.85 if you do not. Marine water needs the Saltwater license instead ($40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident) or a Combination license covering both. A catch record card rides along with the license whenever salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut are kept.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only largemouth bass less than 12" may be retained, except 1 over 17" may be retained. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Largemouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Only 1 smallmouth bass over 14" may be retained. Daily limit 10. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Smallmouth Bass | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Walleye | Min. size 12" in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 8. Only 1 over 22" may be retained. May be caught, retained, and released alive from a livewell until daily limit is in possession. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Walleye | No size restriction/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Channel Catfish | No min. size/daily limit in rivers, streams, and beaver ponds. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Burbot (Freshwater Ling) | No min. size. Daily limit 5. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Crappie, Northern Pikeminnow, Peamouth Chub, Perch, Suckers, Sunfish, | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 |
| Grass Carp | Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules. | Closed |
| Kokanee | No min. size. Daily limit 10. When fishing with bait, all kokanee that are lawful to possess and are equal to or greater than the minimum size are counted as part of the daily limit whether kept or released. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Tiger Muskellunge (Tiger Muskie) | Min. size 50". Daily limit 1. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Whitefish | No min. size. Daily limit 15. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Steelhead | Release all wild steelhead. Min. size 20". Daily limit 2. Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed. | Open during salmon or game fish seasons unless as otherwise listed |
| Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout | In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2. | Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23) |
For marine water, rules change by area; see the marine area pages. Marine area rules
Where Pierce County breaks from the statewide tables (121)
| Water and reach | Species | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon River: from mouth to Voight Creek CRC (802) | All species | Barbless hooks required. Night closure. Anti-snagging rule. (Sept. 1-Oct. 31) |
| Carbon River: from mouth to Voight Creek CRC (802) | All species | Open Wednesdays through Saturdays only. (Sept. 1-Sept. 30) |
| Carbon River: from mouth to Voight Creek CRC (802) | Trout | Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout. (Sept. 1-Oct. 31) |
| Carbon River: from mouth to Voight Creek CRC (802) | Other game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sept. 1-Oct. 31) |
| Carbon River: from mouth to Voight Creek CRC (802) | Salmon | Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 2 adults. Release wild Chinook and chum. (Sept. 1-Oct. 31) |
| Carbon River: from Voight Creek to Hwy. 162 Bridge CRC (802) | All species | CLOSED WATERS. |
| Cascade Water Alliance Canal: from R St. Bridge to Hwy. 410 Bridge at Buckley CRC (808) | All species | CLOSED WATERS. |
| Chambers Creek: from mouth (Burlington-Northern RR Bridge) to markers 400' below the Boise-Cascade Dam CRC (714) | All species | Selective gear rules. Night closure. |
| Chambers Creek: from mouth (Burlington-Northern RR Bridge) to markers 400' below the Boise-Cascade Dam CRC (714) | Trout | Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Nov. 15) |
| Chambers Creek: from mouth (Burlington-Northern RR Bridge) to markers 400' below the Boise-Cascade Dam CRC (714) | Other game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Nov. 15) |
| Chambers Creek: from mouth (Burlington-Northern RR Bridge) to markers 400' below the Boise-Cascade Dam CRC (714) | Salmon | Min. size 12". Daily limit 6 including no more than 4 adults. Release wild coho, wild Chinook and chum. (July 1-Nov. 15) |
| Chambers Creek: from markers 400' below the Boise-Cascade Dam to the dam | All species | CLOSED WATERS. |
| Chambers Creek: from Boise-Cascade Dam to Steilacoom Lake CRC (714) | All species | Selective gear rules. Night closure. |
| Chambers Creek: from Boise-Cascade Dam to Steilacoom Lake CRC (714) | Trout | Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: Release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Chambers Creek: from Boise-Cascade Dam to Steilacoom Lake CRC (714) | Other game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Clarks Creek | All species | CLOSED WATERS. |
| Clearwater River | All species | Selective gear rules. |
| Clearwater River | Trout | Statewide min. size/daily limit. Except: release cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Clearwater River | Other game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31) |
| Crescent Creek | All species | Selective gear rules. |
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026. Special Rules as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), pamphlet page 28 (pamphlet PDF), read on eRegulations October 31, 2026.
Records
Heaviest fish WDFW credits to Pierce County
| Species | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cutthroat Trout, Coastal, sea-run | 6.00 lbs | Bud Johnson | Carr Inlet | May 1, 1943 |
| Rock Bass | 1.38 lbs | William Jackson | Steilacoom Lake | June 26, 1981 |
| Cabezon (Speargun) | 25.20 lbs | Tony L. Rossberg | Hale Passage (near Fox Island), Pierce County | May 22, 1997 |
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026.
Local help
Pierce County bait counters and charter skippers
Shop listings for Pierce County
- Gig Harbor Fly Shopfly shop, Gig Harbor
- Narrows Marinabait and tackle shop, Tacoma
- Precision Fly & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Puyallup
- Puget Sound Fly Cobait and tackle shop, Tacoma
- Arabella's Landing Marinamarina, Gig Harbor
- Bass Pro Shops Tacomasporting goods store, Tacoma
- Breakwater Marina Incmarina, Tacoma
- Chinook Landing Marinamarina, Tacoma
- Crow's Nest Marinamarina, Tacoma
- DR D Marine Servicesmarina, Tacoma
- Day Island Yacht Harbormarina, University Place
- Delin Docksmarina, Tacoma
- Dick's Sporting Goods Puyallupsporting goods store, Puyallup
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tacomasporting goods store, Tacoma
- Dock Street Marinamarina, Tacoma
- Foss Harbor Marinamarina, Tacoma
- Foss Landing Marinamarina, Tacoma
- GIG Harbor Marinamarina, Gig Harbor
- GIG Harbor Rent A Boat & Chartersmarina, Gig Harbor
- Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyardmarina, Gig Harbor
- Harborview Marinamarina, Gig Harbor
- Hylebos Marina Incmarina, Tacoma
- Johnny's Dock Marinamarina, Tacoma
- Longbranch Improvement Club Marinamarina, Longbranch
- Marine View Ventures Incmarina, Tacoma
- Murphy's Landing Marinamarina, Gig Harbor
- Peninsula Marinemarina, Longbranch
- Petrich Marine Dockmarina, Tacoma
- Point Defiance Marinamarina, Tacoma
- Safe Boats Internationalmarina, Tacoma
Pierce County skippers and river guides
- Mount Rainier Flyreel Workscharter, Buckley, (360) 829-3691
- Wild Rivers Guided Fishing Tripscharter, Orting, (253) 222-6886
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide and charter listings (city of business); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Nearby
Beyond the edge of Pierce County
Overnight bases in Pierce County
- Tacomapop. 219,346
- South Hillpop. 64,708
- Lakewoodpop. 63,612
- Puyalluppop. 42,973
- Parklandpop. 38,623
- Spanawaypop. 35,476
- University Placepop. 34,866
- Grahampop. 32,658
- Fredericksonpop. 24,906
- Bonney Lakepop. 22,487
- Elk Plainpop. 14,534
- Fort Lewispop. 14,052
- Artondalepop. 13,641
- Lake Tappspop. 12,962
- Edgewoodpop. 12,327
- Prairie Ridgepop. 12,288
Counties beside Pierce County
- Thurston County33 miles west
- King County33 miles northeast
- Lewis County34 miles south
- Kitsap County47 miles northwest
Piscifun
A Piscifun spinning setup worth packing for Pierce County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Fish photos
How to tell one Pierce County fish from another, by photo
Photo: Yellowstone National Park, Public domain
Photo: Pengo, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Mike Cline, Public domain
Answers
What Washington anglers ask about Pierce County
Which agencies run the launches in Pierce County?
17 launches; 14 WDFW, 2 State Parks and 1 other agencies.
Which Pierce County lake shows the most acres in the WDFW layer?
Alder Lake, at 2,877 surface acres in the WDFW layer.
What tops the species tally for Pierce County water?
Rainbow trout lead the count of water pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, yellow perch and coastal cutthroat trout.
Where in Pierce County can an angler restock gear?
Gig Harbor Fly Shop is one of 33 shops listed here.
Can visitors hire a fishing guide based in Pierce County?
2 guides and charters run trips from a local city.
Which town has the Pierce County courthouse?
Tacoma, home of the courthouse.
Does fishing in Pierce County need a saltwater license?
Lake and river trips call for the Freshwater license: $39.95 if you live in Washington, $115.85 if you do not. Marine water needs the Saltwater license instead ($40.71 resident, $81.70 nonresident) or a Combination license covering both.
Which counties touch the Pierce County line?
The list above starts with Thurston County, King County and Lewis County.
Which Pierce County lakes or creeks have their own rule?
The 2026-27 pamphlet prints 121 Special Rule entries touching this county, starting with Carbon River; the table above shows the first ones.
Does Pierce County have saltwater fishing?
South Puget Sound, Tacoma-Vashon Island, Carr Inlet and Case Inlet; the marine table above links each page.
Does Pierce County water hold a state record?
Cutthroat Trout, Coastal, sea-run, 6.00 lbs, from Carr Inlet, Pierce County (May 1, 1943).
When was Pierce County water last planted?
45 WDFW plants so far in 2026, 135,467 fish; the latest went into Crescent Lake T17 on June 22, 2026.
Work the lakes and creeks of Pierce County
Each ramp opens with a directions link.