Fishing Tempo Lake in Thurston County, Washington

• Overview

  Tempo Lake falls in Thurston County, part of Washington. It stands 272 feet above sea level. It measures about 32 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Washington listings. Head to Tenino, 5.5 miles away, for anything you forgot. For a city, Tacoma is 28 miles off. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Tempo Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Fish documented in Thurston County include Chum salmon, largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and Chinook salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Tempo Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 39°F in December up to 64°F in August. It fishes twelve months of the year. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. It sets the rhythm of the year at Tempo Lake. Falling water concentrates fish into the deeper parts.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Parking is close: a car park sits half a mile from the bank. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Offutt Lake at 1.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Where Tempo Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.