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Harts Lake Fishing Report | July 21, 2025

Report by Pete Fisher
Pete Fisher fishes with the Gig Harbor Fishin Club and reports from lakes around Pierce County, Washington.
What is working right now

The summer trout bite was tough at Harts Lake in Pierce County on July 21, 2025, with 75-degree water and scattered, sluggish fish. The angler trolled deep, hooking up at 90 feet with 1 ounce of lead and again at 15 feet on the downrigger. He worked Trix Minnows, Trix Worms, Trigger Spoons, and Junior Trigger Spoons before Max's Spinners finally produced.

How is the trout bite at Harts Lake right now?

Tough. Several boats were out and nobody was catching much. The 111-acre Pierce County lake had 75-degree water, and the fish were scattered and sluggish. This is the second summer trip here with a slow bite, so spring or fall may fish better.

What depth are the Harts Lake trout holding?

Deep. The angler started at 50 feet, worked down to 90 feet, and hooked up at 90 feet with 1 ounce of lead. On the downrigger, he went from 11 feet down to 15 feet and got bit at 15. Adjust depth in increments to find them.

What lures were tried at Harts Lake?

He worked Trix Minnows, Trix Worms, Trigger Spoons, and Junior Trigger Spoons across the water column. Max's Spinners were what finally produced, fished on both sides of the kayak.

How did he trigger the finicky Harts Lake trout?

He trolled deep with lead and the downrigger, adjusting depth strategically, and added scent and bait, using Gulp maggots in red and Smelly Jelly krill with salmon egg. Those scented offerings helped tempt a tough, pressured bite.

What is the outlook for Harts Lake?

The lake has a good reputation for large trout, plus crappie and perch, but the summer bite is tough with warm water. The angler recommends fishing it in spring or fall for better results.

Watch the full report

From the report (Pete Fisher): We trolled the surface, we trolled deep, we did downriggers, we did lead. And we tried Trout Trix Minnows, Trout Trix Worms, a number of Trigger Spoons, Junior Trigger Spoons. And I finally found success with the Max's Spinners. Started at 50 feet, went to 90 feet, hooked up at 90 feet with 1 oz of lead. The water temp was 75 degrees.

Harts Lake July 21, 2025 FAQ

Why is the Harts Lake trout bite so tough?

Warm 75-degree summer water has the fish scattered and sluggish, and multiple boats reported little action.

What depth worked at Harts Lake?

90 feet with 1 ounce of lead, and 15 feet on the downrigger.

What lure finally caught fish at Harts Lake?

Max's Spinners, fished on both sides of the kayak.

What scent and bait were used at Harts Lake?

Gulp maggots in red and Smelly Jelly krill with salmon egg to tempt the finicky fish.

When is the best time to fish Harts Lake?

Spring or fall. The summer bite has been tough on repeat trips, per the angler.

What species does Harts Lake hold?

It has a good reputation for large trout, along with crappie and perch.

Tags: harts-lake pete-fisher trout
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Sacramento River Fishing Report | August 1, 2026

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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | July 27, 2026

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