Fishing near Kent, Washington
King County, population 136,588.
- 3 milesto nearest paged water
- 8launches nearby
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Kent: Coast Guard News, CC BY 2.0
Washington fishing from a Kent base
The 2020 Census counted 136,588 residents in Kent, a city of King County. Lake Fenwick lies about 3 miles southwest, nearer than any other lake or marine page. Top of the lake table on size is Lake Meridian with 150 acres. Lake Fenwick boat launch is the nearest mapped launch at 3 miles.
About 7 miles away, Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11) opens the marine options. Without a boat, Panther Lake shore access is about 3 miles away. The nearest lake with a 2026 trout plant is Lake Fenwick, about 3 miles off.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Kent; miles are straight lines.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Lakes closest to Kent, mile by mile
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | WDFW program | Fish WDFW maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Fenwick | 3 miles southwest | 17 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead |
| Lake Meridian | 3 miles southeast | 150 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass |
| Star Lake | 4 miles southwest | 33 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass |
| Angle Lake | 4 miles northwest | 103 | 0 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass |
| Lake Dolloff | 6 miles southwest | 20 | 1 | Mixed species – Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, coastal cutthroat trout, largemouth bass |
| Shady Lake | 6 miles northeast | 21 | 1 | Trout emphasis | rainbow trout, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed |
WDFW Fish Washington lowland and high lake layers (surface acres as published, management emphasis, mapped species); retrieved October 31, 2026.
Saltwater grounds nearest Kent
| Water | Kind | Distance | Launches | Piers and shore | Marine area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11) | WDFW marine area | 7 miles west | 0 | 8 | 11 |
| Commencement Bay | regional marine water | 13 miles southwest | 0 | 5 | 11 |
| Colvos Passage | regional marine water | 15 miles west | 0 | 2 | 11 |
| Elliott Bay | regional marine water | 17 miles northwest | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| South Puget Sound (Marine Area 13) | WDFW marine area | 22 miles southwest | 9 | 4 | 13 |
WDFW sells the 2026-27 Freshwater license for $39.95 to Washington residents and $115.85 to visitors 16 and up. Anglers working salt water buy the Saltwater license at $40.71 resident or $81.70 nonresident, unless a Combination license covers it.
WDFW Recreational Marine Areas, WDFW and State Parks marine launches, WDFW piers; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Flowing water around Kent
- Duwamish River7 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 2 USGS gauges, 5 mi in Washington
- White River (Pierce County)8 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 9 USGS gauges, 71 mi in Washington
- Puyallup River13 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 1 mapped launch, 1 WDFW shore or access site, 6 USGS gauges, 44 mi in Washington
- Green River (King County)15 miles, SWIFD lists chinook, chum and coho, 2 WDFW shore or access sites, 8 USGS gauges, 85 mi in Washington
Stream discharge recorded near Kent
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Mill Creek At Earthworks Park At Kent, Wa | 1 cfs, 46.40 ft gage height | Nov 1 6:45 pm |
| Green River Above S 277th St At Kent, Wa | 444 cfs, 37.58 ft gage height | Nov 1 6:30 pm |
| Green River Below Meeker St At Kent, Wa | 402 cfs, 18.94 ft gage height | Nov 1 6:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 1, 2026 7:38 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS NHD flowlines, WDFW SWIFD salmon and steelhead distribution, WDFW and State Parks launches and USGS gauges; retrieved October 31, 2026.
Launch pins around Kent
- Lake Fenwick boat launchLake Fenwick, City of Kent, 3 miles
- Lake Meridian boat launchLake Meridian, WDFW, 4 miles
- Lake Dolloff boat launchLake Dolloff, WDFW, 6 miles
- Shady Lake boat launchShady Lake, WDFW, 6 miles
- Steel Lake boat launch on Steele LakeSteele Lake, City of Federal Way, 6 miles
- Shadow Lake boat launchShadow Lake, WDFW, 6 miles
- Lake Desire boat launchLake Desire, WDFW, 6 miles
- Spring Lake boat launchSpring Lake, WDFW, 7 miles
Shore fishing by Kent
- Panther Lake shore accesswater access area, 3 miles
- Lake Fenwick shore accessshore fishing site, Limited shore fishing, unimproved foot path around north sid, 3 miles
- Lake Meridian fishing piershore fishing site, Large public dock, 4 miles
- Star Lake shore accessshore fishing site, Very limited shore fishing at boat ramp, 4 miles
- Angle Lake fishing piershore fishing site, Public pier, 5 miles
- Dykstra on Green Riveraccess point (no launch), 5 miles
WDFW Facilities layer and the State Parks boat launch layer; retrieved October 31, 2026.
WDFW plants a drive from Kent
| Lake | Distance | Latest 2026 plant |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Fenwick | 3 miles | Rainbow, 1,700 fish at 2.4 per pound, May 8, 2026, Puyallup Hatchery |
| Lake Meridian | 3 miles | Rainbow, 2,000 fish at 1.8 per pound, May 4, 2026, Arlington Hatchery |
| Star Lake | 4 miles | Rainbow, 3,000 fish at 2.4 per pound, May 5, 2026, Puyallup Hatchery |
| Angle Lake | 4 miles | Rainbow, 3,168 fish at 1.8 per pound, April 23, 2026, Arlington Hatchery |
WDFW hatcheries truck catchable trout to these lakes; the row shows the newest plant on record.
WDFW Trout Plants report (rows January 2 to October 27, 2026), read October 31, 2026.
Where Kent anglers pick up gear and guides
Washington shops handiest to Kent
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tukwilasporting goods store, Tukwila, 5 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse Federal Waysporting goods store, Federal Way, 8 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Issaquahsporting goods store, Issaquah, 14 miles
- Angle Maidenbait and tackle shop, Auburn
- Tow Boat Seattlemarina, Auburn
- Bellevue Marinasmarina, Bellevue
- Brandt's Landing Marinamarina, Bellevue
- Dick's Sporting Goods Bellevuesporting goods store, Bellevue
Booking a skipper near Kent
- Adventure Charterscharter, Seattle, (206) 789-8245
- Digital Anglerscharter, Redmond, (206) 819-7010
- Emerald Water Anglerscharter, Seattle, (206) 708-7250
- Fish Finders Private Charterscharter, Seattle, (206) 632-2611
- Screaminreels Guide Servicecharter, Duvall, (206) 849-2574
- Tight Lines Sports Fishingcharter, Des Moines, (206) 715-0879
Yellow Pages and chain store listings (miles only for shops with an exact point), guide and charter listings; retrieved October 31, 2026.
WDFW record list entries close to Kent
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Salmon, sea-run | 14.38 lbs | Green River (King County) | Sept. 22, 1999 |
| Black Crappie | 4.50 lbs | Lake Washington | May 1, 1956 |
| Sockeye Salmon | 10.63 lbs | Lake Washington | July 20, 1982 |
| Rock Bass | 1.38 lbs | Steilacoom Lake | June 26, 1981 |
| Cutthroat Trout, Coastal, sea-run | 6.00 lbs | Carr Inlet | May 1, 1943 |
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sport fish records list, as of October 31, 2026. Waters within 40 miles.
What a Kent angler may keep
Anyone 16 or older needs a Washington Freshwater license, priced at $39.95 for residents and $115.85 for nonresidents in 2026-27. Fishing the salt side means a Saltwater license, $40.71 for Washingtonians and $81.70 for visitors, or a Combination license. Salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut also need a free catch record card, filled in as each fish is 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) |
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. Lake, river and marine pages print any Special Rule or marine area table.
Next-door places for Kent anglers
Sleep-over towns circling Kent
- Lakeland North5 miles
- Des Moines5 miles
- Fairwood (King County)5 miles
- Covington5 miles
- SeaTac6 miles
The county page covering Kent
- King Countyseat: Seattle
Piscifun tackle sorted for the drive to Kent
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Photographs of fishing water around Kent
Photo: brewbooks, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Photo: brewbooks, CC BY-SA 2.0
Fishing day trips out of Kent, answered
Can Kent anglers reach a lake in a short drive?
Lake Fenwick, 3 miles southwest.
Which mapped launch is nearest Kent?
Closest: Lake Fenwick boat launch, 3 miles.
Which WDFW pier or shore site serves Kent?
Panther Lake shore access, roughly 3 miles out.
Can Kent anglers buy bait on the way out?
Dick's Sporting Goods Tukwila lists a store 5 miles from the town point.
Which county is Kent part of?
King County covers it.
Does a visitor to Kent need a Washington license?
WDFW charges $115.85 for the nonresident Freshwater license. Marine trips add the Saltwater license or call for a Combination license.
Which lake near Kent has the most WDFW acres?
Lake Meridian covers 150 acres and sits 3 miles out.
Which Washington town guides neighbour Kent?
Lakeland North (5 miles), Des Moines (5 miles) and Fairwood (King County) (5 miles) lie closest.
Which marine water is closest to Kent?
Tacoma-Vashon Island (Marine Area 11), WDFW marine area, about 7 miles away.
Which WDFW records were set on water near Kent?
Atlantic Salmon, sea-run, 14.38 lbs, from Green River, King County.
How far is Kent from a planted lake?
Lake Fenwick, 3 miles away, is the closest lake with a 2026 WDFW plant.
Leave Kent at first light with rods
Open a ramp for its agency and directions.