Contributing WriterPattison Lake near Lacey has great spring trout fishing and summertime angling for bass and panfish. It’s a quick drive from Olympia.
Offutt Lake is 20 minutes from Olympia and offers excellent trout fishing as well as opportunities to catch bass and panfish.
Lake Lawrence south of Yelm is stocked with lots of rainbow trout and channel catfish, making it an excellent fishing spot from early spring through fall. There also are largemouth bass and panfish.
Long Lake in Lacey has year-round trout fishing that is especially good in the spring, and also is a place where you can catch largemouth bass, other warmwater fish, and even giant carp. Long’s Pond has similar fishing opportunities for kids, seniors and people with disabilities.
Clear Lake in Thurston County (just past Yelm) offers excellent spring trout fishing and good angling for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Some anglers report catching kokanee fishing the deeper water.