Lake Saint Clair in Thurston County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lake Saint Clair is a Thurston County water, in Washington. It lies 85 feet above sea level. The water covers some 233 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Few waters listed in Thurston County are bigger. Tanglewilde-Thompson Place at 4.5 miles is the nearest place to stop. Tanglewilde is 4.6 miles and Lacey 5.4 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Lake Saint Clair

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Thurston County records list Chum salmon, largemouth bass and bluegill among the fish reported. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Lake Saint Clair the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August runs about 64°F on average, December about 39°F. Fishing runs all year, with summer the awkward season. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. On Lake Saint Clair the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. A slipway half a mile out gives trailer access. Public data has parking about half a mile from the shore. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is McAllister Spring Lake, 1.9 miles out. Treat Lake Saint Clair as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.