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Washington · Fishing
Yelm sits in the shadow of the Cascades in Thurston County, and while it's not a destination anglers typically shout about, it punches above its weight for lake fishing within a short drive.
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Yelm sits in the shadow of the Cascades in Thurston County, and while it's not a destination anglers typically shout about, it punches above its weight for lake fishing within a short drive. The four lakes in this area — Alder Lake, Elbow Lake, and Bald Hill Lake — are all stillwater fisheries, which means your setup and approach will look more like a float tube or bank session than a drift boat day. Alder Lake is the largest of the bunch and the most accessible, sitting off Highway 7 near the Nisqually River drainage. Elbow Lake and Bald Hill Lake are smaller and quieter, the kind of spots where you might have a bank to yourself on a weekday morning. These are put-and-take and holdover fisheries typical of western Washington lowland lakes, managed by WDFW, so checking the current regulation pamphlet before you go is non-negotiable. Spring and fall tend to be the most productive windows when water temperatures are cooler and fish are actively feeding near the surface. If you're driving out from the south Puget Sound area, you can realistically hit more than one of these lakes in a single day.
Alder Lake, Elbow Lake, and Bald Hill Lake are all lowland lakes in western Washington that WDFW typically stocks with rainbow trout. Warmwater species like largemouth bass, yellow perch, and brown bullhead are also present in many Thurston County lakes. Check the WDFW stocking report for the specific lake you're targeting before your trip, since stocking schedules vary by season and year.
Yes. Washington State requires a valid fishing license for anyone 15 and older. You'll also want to review the current WDFW regulation pamphlet for Thurston County, as rules around daily limits, gear restrictions, and open seasons can differ between lakes even when they're close together.
Elbow Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Elbow Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Bald Hill Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Alder Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Harts Lake
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Reichel Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Lake Whitman
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Inman Lake
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Lewis Lake
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Chambers Lake
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
McIntosh Lake
~29 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Cat Lakes
~29 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
For trout, late March through May and again in September through November are your best windows, when water temperatures are in the 50s and fish are feeding actively. Summer can slow trout fishing significantly as surface temperatures rise, though that's when bass and perch fishing tends to pick up on the warmer, shallower lakes.
A light to medium spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range covers most situations on these lakes. For trout, PowerBait on a slip sinker rig works well from the bank, while small spinners and spoons are good options if you're casting and retrieving. If you have a float tube or small kayak, you'll have a real advantage on smaller lakes like Elbow and Bald Hill where bank access can be limited.
Alder Lake has a boat launch managed by Pierce County Parks, and motorized boats are allowed there. Elbow Lake and Bald Hill Lake are smaller and more limited in terms of developed access, so non-motorized watercraft like kayaks and canoes are the practical choice. Confirm current access conditions with WDFW or the relevant county parks department before making the drive, especially early in the season.
