Fishing Lake Tapps

AKA: Tapps Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Tapps Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Boat Launch Ramps
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Lake Tapps, WA

Popular Fish Species Lake Tapps, WA

Lake Tapps Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are one of the most sought-after species at Lake Tapps, with fish over 3 pounds very common. Largemouth bass also reside here in good numbers. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good when they move to shallow water. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around any sort of rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, when the lake freezes over, consider ice fishing for smallies. Other times, focus your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Black Crappie Fishing

A nice population of black crappie resides in Lake Tapps. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a nice bunch of slabs. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Yellow Perch Fishing

Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at Lake Tapps. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. They are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing as well. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.

Lake Tapps Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch and tiger muskie at Lake Tapps in Washington.

A massive maze of islands and pockets, Lake Tapps is a 2,800-acre lake in the west-central part of the state, with over 40 miles of shoreline to explore and wet a line. The primary boat launch ramp is located in Lake Tapps Park at the northern end of the lake. Known for its abundant fish populations include rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, tiger muskie, yellow perch, and black crappie. Lake Tapps North Park has plenty of shoreline access for fishing from the bank.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Tapps

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Tapps Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: NO
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Allan Yorke Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off W Tapps Highway E, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Lake Tapps Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Dike Road E, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.