Lake Tapps launch?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Robinson on January 24, 2010 at 9:29am

Thanks...I see at Allen York they want $8.50 to launch and another $8.50 to take out. The county launch is closed during the winter, so I was unable to check it out. But it's got to be cheaper. I really like your idea of walking the shore. I will definitly give that a try.
Thanks again.

Panic Minnow said:

Well,
Get ready to pay some big bucks to launch there at Allen York. I think that the only launch that we have found to use on the lake is the Pierce County Launch. Generally the water comes up to full pool by Memorial Day weekend, but that was in the past, and I never know if the water is going to lowered or not from year to year now, because the water control is not by PSE anymore. I have never waited for the water to come up, as I have found some excellent fishing walking the shore BEFORE it comes up........

Permalink Reply by Kevin Bye on January 24, 2010 at 9:54am

I never know when they are raising it. It seems different every year. Basically it seems the water starts flowing in slowly around March but its a snails pace. I'll keep you posted,I drive up here to often to have a look around. The shore is very exposed right now,you can find loads
of gear. A few weeks ago I found a rod and reel,the reel was toast but the rod was in pretty good shape. Mike Bess may be able to provide better info.

Permalink Reply by Jason Brown on January 24, 2010 at 11:13am

The launches are out of the water. Although they "try" to have it up by Memorial Day Weekend, they've screwed that up in the past. Usually though, a safe bet, is anytime after Memorial Day Weekend. The launch is expensive! $20 you're looking at either way. However, September is a great time to catch big smallies on Tapps and it's free at the North End of the Lake at the public launch/park as they pull the toll booth.

Permalink Reply by D.J. LaRoche on January 24, 2010 at 11:25am

You can also get to the county launch before they man the toll booth. There is no money slot to pay your fees (at least there used to not be). I have done this several times in the past. I just figured it was there own fault if they didn't want to get up when the fisherman do! Never got bothered about it on my way out either.

Permalink Reply by Mike Robinson on January 24, 2010 at 3:15pm

Thanks for tips. I'll be trying the fall bite for sure.

Jason Brown said:

The launches are out of the water. Although they "try" to have it up by Memorial Day Weekend, they've screwed that up in the past. Usually though, a safe bet, is anytime after Memorial Day Weekend. The launch is expensive! $20 you're looking at either way. However, September is a great time to catch big smallies on Tapps and it's free at the North End of the Lake at the public launch/park as they pull the toll booth.

Permalink Reply by Todd Reis on January 24, 2010 at 4:59pm

Hey guys,
Tapps starts to fill about mid March...Usually full pool by Memorial Day. Though i personally have had my boat in the water at the North launch by mid April. And put some smallies and a musky in the net by then too.. Heres the thing about the North Park launch..it is closed to everyone until April due to budget cuts and such..So if you can buy a park pass. It'll help with the funding of the park for the up coming year....right now the gate is locked so you cannot get into the park at all. Later in the year that park is the best to start a tourney..but depending on how busy it is you may have to do your weigh in or award ceremony some where away from the park..Because it does get pretty busy.Its not like Gene Coulon in that regards... The park workers try to get folks out as soon as possible to open parking spots for boats coming in to ski and such..parking is pretty restricted and that park is very busy.. plus the launch fee there is alot more affordable. $15 to launch total.. Pass costs are $75 for Pierce County residence and $150 for non residence..Hope this helps you a little bit...see ya on the water..Todd

Permalink Reply by Mike Floyd on January 24, 2010 at 11:33pm

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?station=12101000 Here's a site that gives the current water level in Tapps.

Permalink Reply by Mike Robinson on January 25, 2010 at 6:24am

Hey thanks great info. Sounds like I will be able to get out and prefish. Thanks again!

Permalink Reply by Mike Bess on January 25, 2010 at 9:07am

The lake will be at full pool by April 15th or so they say. June is a tough time to have a club tourney especially if we have good weather. If you can have the CT in late April to the middle of May you would have a easier go at finding a place to hold it. I'd say the best place to hold your event public or private is Driftwood Point. There was a Musky event held there last year and I think they were happy with the facility. Send me a PM and I'll give you a number to call.

Permalink Reply by Tracy Brown on January 25, 2010 at 10:17am

It was $15 last year.

Mike Robinson said:

Thanks...I see at Allen York they want $8.50 to launch and another $8.50 to take out. The county launch is closed during the winter, so I was unable to check it out. But it's got to be cheaper. I really like your idea of walking the shore. I will definitly give that a try.
Thanks again.

Panic Minnow said:

Well,
Get ready to pay some big bucks to launch there at Allen York. I think that the only launch that we have found to use on the lake is the Pierce County Launch. Generally the water comes up to full pool by Memorial Day weekend, but that was in the past, and I never know if the water is going to lowered or not from year to year now, because the water control is not by PSE anymore. I have never waited for the water to come up, as I have found some excellent fishing walking the shore BEFORE it comes up........

Permalink Reply by 2000subaru on January 25, 2010 at 11:51pm

You may be able to work out a deal with the county park. In the past they have had the launch open at 6am daily when the first worker gets there and they have let people launch free until the booth gets staffed. The possibility of a shore cleanup in the spring or fall may just be the ticket to getting a free launch for a tourney. What about Fairweather Cove's launch? They only have a small handfull of homes built inside the gated community, and plenty of parking with a nice launch available. The HOA might be willing to accomidate your tourney. Why would you want to fish Tapps anyways? We all know the lake has no fish in it, just waterskiers.