Grass Lake Fishing near Olympia, Washington

• Overview

  In Washington, Grass Lake falls inside Thurston County. Tidal water begins 1.8 miles from here. About 9 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It lies lower than most water we list in Washington. The closest town, Olympia, is 2.7 miles away. For a city, Tacoma is 28 miles off. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Grass Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Survey and observation records for Thurston County include Chum salmon, largemouth bass and bluegill. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Grass Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 64°F in August and bottom out at 39°F in January. The season runs year-round, with the peak either side of summer. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. Anyone fishing Grass Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. There is a car park half a mile from the bank. Grass Lake Nature Park runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Simmons Lake is 1.6 miles off. Rules at Grass Lake are worth checking on the day.