Fishing Silver Lake

[Practical Approach]

Hello,

Looking to take my kids somewhere that they might be able to catch a few pan fish.  The trolling for hatchery rainbows is fun while there is action, but they like casting and watching a bobber for some reason.  I heard Silver Lake near Toutle might be pretty good.  I am looking for something not too far from the Olympia area and can accommodate a 20ft boat. 

I am really interested in Silver Lake info if anyone has some though.  Thank you.

[Blacklab]

Silverlake at a castle rock is awesome. Used fish it quite a bit. NowI like to get out there like couple times a year because it’s so far. Loaded with perch an croppie. Not sure where their staging now. Might be in canals for spawning. Pilings with plugs is fun for bass.

[Kc_Kracker]

take em to harts lake, great bobber and trolling

[Practical Approach]

Thanks for the feedback and new suggestion. 

[fowl smacker]

Silver lake is better in the fall/winter when they go into the canals.  They are more spread out this time of year.

[Practical Approach]

So is the fishing not good enough in the summer to keep a 6 year old entertained? 

[Crunchy]

Silverlake at a castle rock is awesome. Used fish it quite a bit. NowI like to get out there like couple times a year because it’s so far. Loaded with perch an croppie. Not sure where their staging now. Might be in canals for spawning. Pilings with plugs is fun for bass.

Second this one.  Awesome place to fish.  Catfish, perch, crappie, bass, trout.  Been years but I miss fishing there.

[Logan80]

I have a property there and was camping last weekend. Caught a few crappie from the bank in the canal with minimal effort. A jig below a bobber and it's pretty easy and fun.

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Since you’re in Olympia, have you tried Black lake. It’s close and there’s crappie. Haven’t fished it in awhile but it used to be pretty good.

[Curly]

Pretty much all the Thurston County lakes are good for perch. (Lk St Clair, Black, Hicks, Offut, Long, Pattison). Crappie on the other hand, are more challenging to find and catch imo.  Black and St Clair have crappie but I always found it hard to find them. Silver lake seems to have a large population of crappie. But for just action other species might be better targeted with just bobber and worm (perch, sunfish)

[Smossy]

Pretty much all the Thurston County lakes are good for perch. (Lk St Clair, Black, Hicks, Offut, Long, Pattison). Crappie on the other hand, are more challenging to find and catch imo.  Black and St Clair have crappie but I always found it hard to find them. Silver lake seems to have a large population of crappie. But for just action other species might be better targeted with just bobber and worm (perch, sunfish)

Funny cause I have no issues finding crappie but perch seem to not exist.
Im out in yelm/eatonville though. Ohop, silver lake, harts, tanwax, etc etc. Henleys Silver Lake is a solid choice for a kiddo. Small bait shop and a large dock. Seen some  pretty big fish come out of that small lake. Even a nice german brown a few years back probably in the 8-10lb range.