Public access on Tahuya Lake brings recreational fishing, wildlife viewing and boat launch

Construction is in the final stages at the new Tahuya Lake Access Area, a site on the eastern shore of the lake near Gold Creek Road and Percheron Lane that is scheduled to open to the public on Nov. 20.

At Tahuya Lake’s first public water access point, visitors will be able to fish recreationally, view wildlife, use on of eight parking spaces, find an information kiosk and use a hand launch for smaller boats like canoes, rafts and kayaks. The lake will be stocked with trout by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and feature a year-round fishery for largemouth bass and bluegill.

The project has been in talks since 2006, though the Department of Fish and Wildlife acquired the parcels in 1939 and 1969. The entire project was paid for using a $310,000 grant from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program.

In its inception, the public access project received pushback from neighbors like the Tahuya Lake Community Club, who filed a lawsuit in Kitsap County Superior Court, claiming that their Certificate of Water Rights protected their exclusive access. A judge ruled the parcel was eligible for public access in 2011. Neighbors believed public access would degrade the lake area, while fishermen looked forward to the fishing opportunities.

Tahuya Lake is the second largest of a handful of lakes in Kitsap County and offers 100 surface acres of water, said Matthew Blankenship, assistant regional wildlife program manager for the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s coastal region.

“What we want to do is be good neighbors to the community out that way,” Blankenship said. “It's part of our mission to be able to provide some recreational opportunities for the public. It was a long time coming to this point and we're happy that we're here now.”

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Tahuya Lake public access point brings recreational fishing