Alder Lake, Washington Kokanee Fishing

Alder Lake, located in western Washington near Mount Rainier, is a favorite destination for kokanee fishing. This 3,000-acre reservoir, fed by glacial runoff from the Nisqually River, offers consistent kokanee fishing thanks to regular stocking and ideal habitat. Whether you’re a seasoned kokanee chaser or new to the scene, Alder Lake offers opportunity, scenery, and solid limits of landlocked salmon.

Kokanee Fishing Overview

Alder Lake’s kokanee season runs year-round, but the best fishing occurs from spring through summer. April to July is the sweet spot, with kokanee feeding actively before they begin staging for their fall spawn. Most fish average 12–14 inches, with occasional 15-inchers. The daily limit is generous—10 kokanee per angler, making Alder a top spot to fill your cooler with fish just large enough to fillet.

Recent years have seen steady action, and the fishery remains productive. One challenge can be fluctuating water levels due to dam operations, especially in winter or late fall. The lake also takes on a glacial tint in summer, which can influence lure and dodger visibility. But it also makes the lake just a beautiful place to be.

Trolling Techniques for Kokanee

Trolling is the most effective method at Alder Lake. Early in the season, fish are shallow—within the top 10–20 feet—making flat-line trolling or light weights effective. By summer, kokanee move deeper, often schooling at 30–50 feet. Downriggers shine here, offering precise depth control, but inline weights or lead-core line also work well. Jigging also becomes more of an option in the late summer for that reason as well, but most are trolling.

Trolling speeds between 1.0 and 1.5 mph are typical. Using S-turns or changing speeds can trigger bites. Electronics are a big advantage—kokanee often appear in tight schools, and once located, circling back through them can produce fast limits.

Prime fishing zones include the main basin near Alder Lake Park and the Little Nisqually Arm. The latter is a no-wake zone, ideal for quieter trolling.

Top Gear for Alder Lake

Lures

Two lure styles dominate: squid hoochies and wedding ring spinners. Both work best in bright colors—pink being the most reliable at Alder. Other productive colors include orange, chartreuse, and silver/blue.

• Hoochies: 1–1.5″ squid skirts, often tipped with corn and run behind a spinner blade. Pink UV hoochies are especially effective.
• Wedding Rings: Beaded spinners with small blades. Subtle but deadly, especially with a little scent and corn.

Always tip your hooks with bait, and run these lures 8–14 inches behind a dodger for best results. Leader length and lure action are key. Shorter leaders (8–10″) give hoochies more snap; longer leaders (12–14″) suit spinners. Both types of lures work well for Alder Lake’s kokanee fishing.

Dodgers

Dodgers are essential for attracting kokanee. The 4″ size is standard for kokanee, but I’ve used sizes down to about 3″ and up to 5.5″. Top-performing dodger colors include UV pink, silver, chartreuse, and watermelon patterns. Brands like Montana Tackle, Mack’s Sling Blade, Rocky Mountain Tackle, and Sep’s offer reliable options.

Bait

Shoepeg corn is the go-to kokanee bait, often cured and dyed for extra appeal. Ready-made options like Pautzke’s Fire Corn (in pink or chartreuse) are widely used. It’s what I usually have in my tackle box. Some anglers DIY with scents like garlic, krill, or anise. Gulp Maggots and real maggots also work, especially when tipped on hooks with corn.

Rotate bait colors and scents until you find what the fish want that day.

Scent

Scent matters. Top attractants include krill, garlic, anise, shrimp, and salmon egg. Use gel or liquid scent on your lures and dodgers, and marinate corn in your scent of choice overnight. Clean hands and proper bait handling are important—kokanee are sensitive to smells, which either leads to more strikes, or it’ll shut down the bite altogether. Be mindful of it.

Boat Launches & Lake Access

Alder Lake has solid access for both boaters and bank anglers.

• Alder Lake Park Launch: Near the dam, this is the main year-round launch with docks and parking.
• Rocky Point Launch: Up the lake, open seasonally when water levels are high.

There’s also some shore fishing access at Alder Lake Park, Sunny Beach Point, and roadside pullouts. Kokanee are usually deeper, so shore fishing is best early in the season. You probably won’t have much luck targeting the kokanee from shore at Alder Lake though.

Camping is available at Alder Lake Park and Rocky Point, with amenities like moorage, restrooms, and picnic areas. Summer weekends can get busy—early arrival is recommended.

Tips and Nearby Options

• Fish Early: Morning offers the best bite, and you’ll have less boat traffic.
• Watch Water Levels: Check Tacoma Power for reservoir updates.
• Adjust Tactics: Match lure color to water clarity and rotate scents.
• Bring Electronics: A fish finder can be the difference between searching and catching.

If you’re looking to expand your kokanee experience, check out nearby options like:

• Riffe Lake: High numbers, smaller kokanee.
• Lake Merwin: Larger kokanee, great spring/summer fishery.
• American Lake: Close to Tacoma, smaller fish, urban access.

Final Thoughts on Alder Lake Kokanee Fishing

Alder Lake kokanee fishing combines beautiful scenery with solid action. By dialing in trolling depth, using bright lures and dodgers, and fine-tuning your bait and scent, you can consistently catch limits here. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or introducing family to fishing, Alder Lake is a beautiful and rewarding kokanee destination with plenty to offer.