Fishing Trails End Lake in Thurston County, Washington

• Overview

  Trails End Lake lies in Thurston County, Washington. Beyond the shoreline you have oak and grass. It covers about 12 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is low-lying compared with other Washington water we list. The nearest town is Tumwater, 2.3 miles away. Beyond it, Olympia at 4.6 miles and Lacey at 4.7 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Trails End Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Reported across Thurston County: Chum salmon, largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The shape of Trails End Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 64°F and December about 39°F. Long warm spells define the calendar more than any cold. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. It sets the rhythm of the year at Trails End Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Launching is at Munn Lake WDFW Boat Launch, about half a mile away. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Munn Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Trails End Lake before loading the car.