Ward Lake Fishing Guide, Thurston County, Washington

• Overview

  Within Thurston County, Washington, you have Ward Lake. Elevation runs to 135 feet. At about 66 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. There is roughly 1.0 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Ground here is low by Washington standards. You are 1.6 miles from Tumwater. Olympia lies 2.8 miles off, Lacey another 3 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Ward Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Thurston County, recorded fish include Chum salmon, largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and Chinook salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On Ward Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 64°F, while December sits near 39°F. Fish stay active all year, but they move with the heat. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. On Ward Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Launching is at WDFW Boat Launch, about half a mile away. Parking is mapped about half a mile from the bank. There is a pier recorded roughly half a mile away. Facilities run to toilets half a mile from the water. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Failing this one, try Hewitt Lake, 0.6 miles away. Check the position at Ward Lake before loading the car.