Can someone point me to some good spots on Tapps I live 5mins away but it is such a huge lake. I have fished the park a few times over in back where the private picnic area is and only caught a nice musky that snapped the mono at the boat. Any good areas near the park accesable with a 12ft alum and electric motor?

There is a city of Bonney Lk launch on the opposite end(south) but it's $12.00.
Mark

I went out Sunday to Tapps.  While we caught our fair share of dinks, we did manage a couple that went over 2 pounds.  I know there are some good size smallies.  Had a pig hooked, but she dragged me under the boat and got off.  It seems like most of the fish were in about 8 to 10 feet of water.  We have had most of our success along the shore just down from the boat ramp at the city park.

-jw

Went to Tapps for the first time and landed fish right away.  Then only problem...they were all small.  My friend had a musky that I'm guessing was around 36" or so chase his crankbait twice.  The biggest fish of the day was around a pound.  The fog and chilly morning kept most of the water skiiers off for awhile which was nice.  Too bad we couldn't catch anything nice.

Went out to Tapps Saturday to try my luck against the ski boats and jet skis.  I tried in the morning next to all the stumps that I could find for largemouth.  We had a bite or two, but didn't land anything.  Went back up near the launch later in the afternoon, and found a shore where we just couldn't keep the smallmouth off.  Most of them fell to drop-shot and were in the 1 to 1.5 pound range.  However, I did manage one that went around 2.5 pounds and another that went 3.5 to 4 pounds.  My girlfriend even landed a musky (little guy, about 1.5 feet long or so I guess).

All in all a pretty good day.  The smallmouth bite really couldn't be beaten; about 30 fish in all.  All the fish we're caught in about 8 to 12 feet of water and were released to be caught another day.

-jw

The Bonney Lake City launch on Tapps used to be free (enough) if you got there before the collectors showed up. Before dawn was usually good enough. Can't say that it's still that way. They wanted $10 about 10 years ago. The problem is parking at the Bonney Lake launch, and that the Pierce County Park launch isn't open until rather late in the AM (8?). Might be possible to negotiate with the Park Manager, tho. I fished a T there. On a sunny day, it was tough fishing. I like the lake early or late, tho.

They're there during the week after work also John.

If you go to the Allen York Boaat Lunche(south end) and are there before 8am on the weekends you pay nothing(no one there). After 8am I beleive they get $12.00. During the week I do not think they charge..
There are no fish in Lake Tapps..................

Went out to Tapps for the first time on Sunday for a few hours.  caught a few dinks, but nothing to brag about.  Appears to be a pretty good lake.  I was curious though, is there any other launches on the lake besides the county park.  $10 is a little outrageous.

-jw

Funny, HaHa

I do not know where you get  the idea there are fish in Lake Tapps but there is none, do not  waste you time.

I wouldn't mind a tourny at Tapps, only because of the mileage and I think the turnout would be great being its close to most.  Not sure how the fishing compares though.

I would consider trying a tournament out if it were held at Tapps since I live so close to the launch. 8)

Hey Guys,

How about Tapps as a tournament site for WBC? Plenty of smallies and some big largies. Close by and we can save on gas and camping. What are your thoughts?
RB

Mike,
Well let me see. Since they plant them when they're fingerlings, 14" would be approx 2 yrs old unless you see a mistake in my guessing feel free to correct me. A 20 lb musky is a good one and I have only seen 2 this year at Tapps in follows. All the 20's that I've heard about were probably alot less the last couple of years. It takes approx 40" to make 20lbs. They've been in there for 5 years now and some were bigger than fingerlings when they were stocked. I've caught 21 of them now from different lakes with the smallest being 28" and the average about 16 lbs and 36-37". Biggest is 2 @ 21lbs and 42". I've seen the pics of some proclaimed 48" fish and they were alot less.
Give them time and they'll be there before we know it. Catch and Release.
Glen May, Tell me how to attach a pic and Mike W can see how a musky eats.
Mark