Moses Lake Fishing
A 6,728-acre Washington lake in Grant County.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Fighting Irish 1977, CC BY 2.0
Moses Lake at a glance
Spread over 6,728 acres, Moses Lake is a lake of Grant County on the WDFW map. The WDFW elevation field reads 1,050 feet. The nearest town is Moses Lake North, some 2 miles off. The lake layer classes it as mixed-species water managed with a warmwater emphasis. WDFW plants for its county are listed under WDFW Region 2.
Trailers go in at 2 launches, with 2 of them public. WDFW also lists 13 shore fishing sites. The pamphlet prints 5 Special Rules for it. The 2026 plant report shows 1 trout plant released here. Shoreline access on the WDFW record: good.
WDFW Fish Washington lake layers on geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov (surface acres, elevation, management emphasis, shoreline access, species), USGS NHD outlines, Census 2023 places, retrieved October 31, 2026.
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What the WDFW lake data says swims in Moses Lake:
WDFW Fish Washington species layers (presence, not abundance), WDFW records and the 2026 trout plant report; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Trailer access to the water at Moses Lake
- Moses Lake boat launch1 ramp, concrete surface, Discover Pass, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Peninsula Park boat launch on Moses Lakeconcrete surface
Fishing piers at Moses Lake
- Outlet on Moses Lakefishing platform
- Moses Lake shore accessshore fishing site, 200+ meters of shore fishing, caution when driving on sand
- Moses Lake shore access near Cascade Valley (south), Grant Countyshore fishing site, Multiple shore fishing areas
- Moses Lake shore access near Cascade Valley (south), Grant Countyshore fishing site, Multiple shore fishing areas
- Moses Lake shore access, Grant County (south)shore fishing site, 1-2 shore fishing areas
- Moses Lake fishing piershore fishing site, 100+ meters of shore fishing to the North, dock fishing, fis
- Moses Lake shore access, Grant County (east)shore fishing site, 50+ meters of shore fishing area
- Moses Lake shore access, Grant County (north)shore fishing site, Limited parking, 50+ meters of shore fishing
- Moses Lake shore access near Cascade Valley (north)shore fishing site, 100+ meters of shore fishing area
- Moses Lake shore access near Moses Lake Northshore fishing site, Many shore fishing areas, 300+ meters
- Potholes Reservoir on Moses Lakeshore fishing site, Multiple shore fishing areas withing a short walking distanc
- Potholes Reservoir on Moses Lake near Cascade Valleyshore fishing site, Multiple shore fishing areas within a short walking distance
- fishing pier
More WDFW and park launches around Moses Lake
- Crab Creek boat launch on Potholes ReservoirPotholes Reservoir, 8 miles south
- Dodson & Winchester boat launch on Winchester WastewayWinchester Wasteway, 13 miles southwest
- Winchester Lake boat launch on Winchester Wasteway (south)Winchester Wasteway, 13 miles southwest
- Winchester Lake boat launch on Winchester Wasteway (north)Winchester Wasteway, 13 miles west
- Potholes, boat launchPotholes Reservoir, 14 miles south
- Sampson's Pit boat launch on Potholes ReservoirPotholes Reservoir, 15 miles south
WDFW Water Access Sites and Shore Fishing Sites layers (geodataservices.wdfw.wa.gov) and the Washington State Parks boat launch layer, retrieved October 31, 2026. A Discover Pass is needed to park at WDFW access sites and State Parks launches.
How full Moses Lake is
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Moses Lake At Moses Lake, Wa | 1,046.73 ft lake elevation | Nov 1 8:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 1, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
The Moses Lake panel shows the newest value on file, dated.
What WDFW hatcheries planted in Moses Lake
Hatchery rows naming Moses Lake in 2026: 1, adding up to 1,200 fish.
- MOSES LakeRainbow, 1,200 fish at 2.5 per pound, May 1, 2026, Columbia Basin Hatchery
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026.
Size and daily limits on Moses Lake
| Species | Daily limit and size | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: No min. size. Daily limit 5. | Year-round (statewide lake season, p.23) |
| Trout (combined rivers and lakes same day) | The combined daily limit for an angler that fishes in both rivers and lakes on the same day is 5 trout, no more than 2 may be from rivers. | see the pamphlet |
| Lake Trout | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Eastern Brook Trout (EBT) | No min. size. No daily limit. | Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: year-round; rivers, streams and beaver ponds: Sat. before Memorial Day through Oct. 31 (p.23 general rule for |
| Dolly Varden/Bull Trout | Closed unless otherwise listed in Special Rules. | Closed |
On Moses Lake the statewide freshwater rows hold unless a Special Rule below says otherwise.
Pamphlet Special Rules on Moses Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule and season |
|---|---|---|
| Moses Lake | Bluegill | Min. size 8". Daily limit 5. (Year-round) |
| Moses Lake | Crappie | Min. size 9". Daily limit 10. (Year-round) |
| Moses Lake | Yellow perch | No min. size. Daily limit 25. (Year-round) |
| Moses Lake | Other game fish | Statewide min. size/daily limit. (Year-round) |
| Moses Lake | Carp | No min. size. No daily limit. No license required. (Year-round) |
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 96 (pamphlet PDF), read on eRegulations October 31, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older need a Washington Freshwater license ($39.95 resident, $115.85 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license; salmon, steelhead and sturgeon also take a catch record card.
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.
Record catches WDFW credits to Moses Lake
| Species | Weight | Angler | Water as printed | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Carp | 49.50 lbs | Duane Fisher | Moses Lake, Grant County | June 17, 2006 |
WDFW sport fish records (freshwater and saltwater record lists, kept by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)) as listed October 31, 2026. All Washington records.
Competitive days on Moses Lake, by organizer
The Moses Lake tournament page collects club dates and winners from organizer sites.
How Moses Lake compares in its part of Washington
By WDFW acreage, Potholes Reservoir tops the table with 14,282.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation | Launches | 2026 plants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moses Lake | 6,728 | 1,050 ft | 2 | 1 | |
| Homestead Lake | 8 miles north | 12 | 1,186 ft | 0 | 0 |
| Beda Lake | 13 miles southwest | 33 | 1,118 ft | 1 | 0 |
| Potholes Reservoir | 13 miles south | 14,282 | 1,042 ft | 11 | 1 |
| Desert Lake Chain | 13 miles southwest | 29 | 1,114 ft | 0 | 0 |
| Winchester Wasteway | 14 miles west | 406 | 3 | 0 |
WDFW Fish Washington lake layers, access layers and the 2026 trout plant report; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Next to Moses Lake
Lakes a brief detour from Moses Lake
- Homestead Lake8 miles north
- Beda Lake13 miles southwest
- Potholes Reservoir13 miles south
- Desert Lake Chain13 miles southwest
- Winchester Wasteway14 miles west
Tackle counters within a quick drive of Moses Lake
- Sportsman's Warehouse Moses Lakesporting goods store, Moses Lake, 5 miles
- Desert Fly Anglerfly shop, Ephrata
Washington towns with beds close by Moses Lake
- Moses Lake North2 miles
- Cascade Valley3 miles
- Moses Lake6 miles
The counties around Moses Lake
- Grant Countyseat: Ephrata
A Piscifun spinning setup worth packing for Moses Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
A photo key to fish at Moses Lake
Photo: Olympic National Park, Public domain
Photo: Yellowstone National Park, Public domain
Photo: Argyleist, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Heath Alseike, CC BY 2.0
Quick replies about fishing Moses Lake
How do I find Moses Lake on a county map?
Search Grant County on the map, about 2 miles from Moses Lake North.
Is Moses Lake a large lake for Washington?
Some 6,728 acres by WDFW.
Can a trailered boat get onto Moses Lake from a listed launch?
The layers list 2 launches (2 public); Moses Lake boat launch is one.
Which fish do WDFW sources tie to Moses Lake?
rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, black crappie and bluegill, by the WDFW layers and plants.
How many trout go home from Moses Lake under the 2026-27 pamphlet?
Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout: In lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: No min. size. Daily limit 5.; Year-round (statewide lake season, p.23). Read the Special Rules table above too.
What does a WDFW freshwater license cost for a day at Moses Lake?
Anglers 16 and older need a Washington Freshwater license ($39.95 resident, $115.85 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license; salmon, steelhead and sturgeon also take a catch record card.
When did WDFW last plant trout in Moses Lake?
WDFW logged Rainbow, 1,200 fish at 2.5 per pound, May 1, 2026, Columbia Basin Hatchery as its newest plant.
Where do Moses Lake regulars stock up?
Sportsman's Warehouse Moses Lake, about 5 miles away tops our shop list here.
Has Moses Lake been drawn down, by the newest reading?
The level band shows the newest reading with its agency and date (USGS).
Which WDFW state record fish was landed at Moses Lake?
Common Carp, 49.50 lbs, by Duane Fisher (June 17, 2006).
Make the drive out to Moses Lake
License prices, seasons and Special Rules are gathered on one page.