Planning to swim, boat, fish or enjoy other water activities? We take samples on Lake Tapps , Spanaway Lake, and several Puget Sound beaches—so you can! When conditions aren't safe, we issue advisories to protect you from getting sick. We also identify and correct sources of pollution in sensitive areas.

Harmful algae and cyanobacteria, sometimes called blue-green algae, can produce toxins (poisons) that can make people and animals sick and affect the environment. Learn more about them to keep you, your family, and your pets safe.

Whether fishing, hunting, or just getting outside for the weekend, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife helps thousands make the most of this amazing state every year. Find the hunting and fishing license that fits your adventure, see what you need to access state-managed lands and water access sites, and learn about the necessary permits for construction projects that may affect wildlife or habitats.

Spanaway Lake Management District No.1 (District) was created by the Pierce County Council in 2021 as a pilot program in response to concerns raised by lakefront property owners. On Feb. 8, 2022, the Pierce County Council passed Resolution No. 2021-131 creating the Spanaway Lake Management District Citizen Advisory Board (Board). The purpose of the board is to represent the interests and concerns of lake residents and users as they relate to operations and management of the district.

We improve and protect water quality, manage and conserve water resources, and effectively manage coastal and inland shorelines to assure our state has sufficient supplies of clean water for communities and the natural environment.

A guide to protecting your property while promoting healthy shorelines. The actions you take to manage and protect your waterfront property are essential for preserving the area as a special place for future generations.

Find easy access to online state services, government agencies, and helpful guides to get things done. Learn about how to be a good lake steward, bulkheads, docks, and more.

Spanaway Lake is open year round and offers good harvest opportunity for stocked rainbow trout. Spanaway Lake has some of the best fishing for rock bass in the area. Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch can be good in the spring and summer months, while fishing for black crappie usually picks ups in September to November.

Manicured lawns require chemicals that can wash into the lake. Fertilizers feed algae blooms by adding phosphorus runoff to the water. Never use pesticides or soluble fertilizers near streams, ditches, wetlands, or shorelines. Fish, birds, and our children wade and swim in those waters!

Lean more here.

Conventional landscape practices, such as manicured lawns, have many unintended negative consequences for biodiversity, by degrading and fragmenting habitat for native organisms. Help our local ecosystems by reducing or eliminating traditional grass lawns and leave a buffer of natural vegetation near streams and lakes to filter pollutants and protect fish and wildlife. Include shrubs and trees to shade the water, and native plants or low maintenance grasses that don’t need mowing.

Learn more here.

All homes on Lake Spanaway rely on septic systems, but when those septic systems are not working properly they can contaminate nearby waterbodies. Nutrients and pathogens from your septic system may impact streams, lakes, or other waterbodies near your home.

Learn more here.