Stan Coffin Lake

May 22, 2026

version 1.0

Stan Coffin Lake from the WDFW public launch area

This is one of the most misrepresented lakes in the state.

For example, Dave Graybill, the "Fishin' Magician" posted a YouTube video "Tour of the Fishing Lakes in the Quincy Wildlife Area" in 2023. It was clear that he didn't actually fish there. The information he provided was taken almost verbatim from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife "Lowland Lakes" Web site. Unfortunately, that information dates from 2011 and is pretty much meaningless today. The active fishery management and experimental programs are now long abandoned, and the lake is pretty much left to take care of itself (though any care will always be appreciated).

The lake is reached by taking White Trail Road south three miles west of Quincy, Washington. Follow south about 5 miles. The road then takes a big bend to the left, followed by another big bend to the right. Just before going left into a third bend, turn right onto the rough Quincy Wildlife Area access road. Stan Coffin is the first lake you will encounter, about a mile and a half down this road, with the access area on the left. There is a sanitary facility and adquate hand launch area for watercraft.

My comments that follow are based on 24 log entries I have collected regarding actual fishing days on this lake.

About the only remaining fishing restrictions are the Wildlife Reserve seasonal road closures. The lake is open for fishing year round, but best May through July. The the usual regulations apply.
Depending on various weather and water temperature conditions, the shallow areas (which are extensive) rapidly fill with stringy water weeds in the summer months. You really DO NOT want to launch any sort of motorized boat under those conditions, because your motor will clog rapidly.
Trolling is almost pointless. No matter where you go, all you will do is collect clingy algae and weeds, withs no hope of catching anything else.
Fish in such shallow water are easily put down. Even the most innocuous electric motor will cut your chances of fishing success to near-zero.
You really need some kind of small hand launch or personal water craft. If rowing or paddling is not an option for you, consider moving down the road two more miles to Evergreen Reservoir.
Shoreline access is poor except in a few spots near the launch and outlet. The rocky and brushy ground is full of snakes, and the shoreline is mostly clogged by rushes.
Generally, this is not a good bass fishery. There are some moderate size largemouth bass, but most are small, and all are scarce. What a nice surprise when they come to call. Tales in the WDF site about "look out for tagged bass" are outdated: nothing came of the big ideas to develop a serious bass fishery.
You will not find any walleye. Maybe try Evergreen.
You will not find any catfish. The experimental nesting barrels were a failure, and they are all gone now.
This was once a great black crappie fishery — sleek and feisty. Today, they appear only rarely, but a real treat when they do.
The yellow perch rule. They tend to congregate in deeper areas (8 to 12 feet) but could show up anywhere.
Bluegill own the shallows. Pumpkinseeds can make a rare appearance at the edge of the shoreline reeds.

What this means is that if you have any sort of big expectations, you can expect a big disappointment. However, if you pick the right time of year, go with small expectations, take things slow and quiet, use ultra-light fishing gear, and present the tiniest finesse lures or baits, you could be in for nonstop action from chunky bluegill and ravenous perch, fighting way over their weight class. And then look out... if you do happen to snag one of the 16" largemouths that sometimes appear out of nowhere, you are in for a real battle.

To summarize:

This is an outstanding lake for kid-fishing. If you like lots of action but have no expectations about catching anything significant, if you have a small craft that you can paddle to central parts of the lake where the weeds are thinner, if you have ultralight fishing gear so that you can feel the attacks of the small but eager fish, this is a great place to drift along and be thoroughly entertained. A surprise attack by a bass is always possible, the outcome always uncertain. You might score a perfecta — that is, four different species of fish caught on the same day. But if big weeds and little fish are not your game, this is NOT the place you want to be.