Every Boat Ramp on Lake Tapps

About Lake Tapps

Lake Tapps is a 2,400-acre reservoir in Pierce County that was originally created in the early 1900s as a power-generation facility and has since evolved into one of the most popular recreational lakes in the south Puget Sound region. With 44 miles of highly irregular shoreline featuring countless coves, points, and islands, and a maximum depth of 65 feet, Lake Tapps offers an extraordinary amount of fishable structure relative to its size. The communities of Bonney Lake, Auburn, and Sumner surround the lake, providing convenient access for anglers throughout the greater Tacoma and south King County areas.

Largemouth Bass are the star attraction at Lake Tapps, with the lake's extensive shoreline development, dock systems, and abundant aquatic vegetation creating ideal bass habitat that produces fish exceeding 5 pounds with regularity. Smallmouth Bass hold along rocky points and gravel transitions, offering excellent catch rates for anglers working deeper structure. Rainbow Trout are stocked by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Kokanee provide a fun and tasty salmon option during summer trolling season. Yellow Perch are plentiful in the lake's shallow bays, and the Tiger Musky program introduces an exciting trophy predator that can grow to impressive proportions.

Public boat launches provide access to the lake, with facilities available on both the north and south ends. The lake's 44 miles of shoreline mean that even on busy summer weekends, anglers can find quiet coves and undisturbed fishing spots away from the main recreational areas. Lake Tapps's combination of diverse species, abundant structure, and close proximity to the Puget Sound metropolitan area makes it a favorite among local bass clubs and recreational anglers alike.

Nearest towns: Bonney Lake, Auburn, Sumner