Winter fly fishing Battleground Lake

I was thinking of trying some winter fly fishing at Battleground Lake this weekend. Water should be a little warmer and it was stocked earlier this month so there are fish. Anyone have experience with this water? I am guessing big green or black woolly buggers trolled or stripped slooooow. Or would it be better to spend the afternoon C&R fishing for sturgeon? There is a good afternoon tide on Saturday.

Battleground can be white hot or dead this time of year. Kind of depends on water temp and stocking schedule. If they just stocked it and water temp is in 50s you might do well at first light. But then the bite typically slows and the majority are caught on powerbait on bottom or very slow trolling a nightcrawler.
Great little lake. I love BG.

Thanks! With family obligations in the morning, first light is out. May opt for sturgeon or take a chance on some trout. I will post either way.

No bumps or bites and I fished a variety of flies and depths - should have gone sturgeon fishing. Did notice that it's expensive to fish that little lake - $10 parking and $7 launch fee. If I didn't already have my annual Washington license, I think it would have been cheaper to go golfing for the day (and certainly as productive). Did mark quite a few fish on the finder and it looked fishy but I think the 43 degree water made the critters a little sluggish.

43 is a bit cold for them. Next time try an F3 froggy flat fish tied onto 4 feet of 4lb test to a swivel. Use a slider above the swivel and 1 oz lead on the slider.
Count 25-30 pulls and troll back and forth down the middle of the lake from one far side to the other (perpendicular to the dock). Trolling about .8 - 1.2 mph with the froggy flat fish should produce fish no matter what the temp is like. It's like crack to them for some reason.
The $10 park fee is what it is unless you have a yearly discover pass ($30). However, the launch fee is a bunch of bull. I fought that fee for that specific launch with Washington Parks and Rec in Olympia numerous times this year. They finally broke down and told me they aren't removing it because it's such a money generator for them. People pay it. They have little choice if they like fishing that lake.
The loophole is to wheel your kayak down from the parking area. If you do that and launch from the sandy area to the right of the boat launch you don't have to pay the launch fee. The park ranger can confirm that. The catch is you have to wheel your kayak back up to the car as well. Not a big deal, a bit of a cardio but nothing unattainable.
I wouldn't give up on that lake if I were you. My biggest rainbow (10 lbs) and brown (8 lbs) trout came out of there. It's a great fishery and nice because no gasoline motors allowed.

Thanks again for the tips. I actually did what you said regarding wheeling and launching. I guess I need to read those instructions better. It was the launch fee that put me over. I have come to expect a parking fee about everywhere and I feel OK paying those since I sold the sled and my hybrid gets decent mileage. And yes, it was a good workout wheelin' the PA14 up that hill but that's part of the kayak experience - the ramp at Hagg Lake in October has a similar slope. Maybe we can meet at Battleground sometime when the water temps pick up. I marked some nice fish and I am sure they will take flies.

I'm down to meet up. BG lake is my quick fix fishing hole as it's almost in my backyard. Shoot me a PM if you are thinking of heading out there sometime.

Went to Battle Ground lake today. They have a new sign up saying you must pay the launch fee even if you are "away" from the ramp unloading and loading a watercraft. I spoke to a state employee there that confirmed you must pay the launch fee even if you do not use the ramp. I turned around and went home. I guess I'll hit Merwin tomorrow instead.

Went to Battle Ground lake today. They have a new sign up saying you must pay the launch fee even if you are "away" from the ramp unloading and loading a watercraft. I spoke to a state employee there that confirmed you must pay the launch fee even if you do not use the ramp. I turned around and went home. I guess I'll hit Merwin tomorrow instead.

Thanks for the heads up...I like BG lake...live pretty close. A $7 fee on top of Discovery Pass is too much. I know it goes into maintaining the ramp,bathrooms,etc....I dunno...$3 or $4 maybe.