American Lake — Attraction in Lakewood

This is a beautiful lake. It is the largest lake in Pierce County and a very popular boating and fishing lake. It is about 90 feet deep in the deepest part, but averages about 30 feet. Generally the fishing is good with Rainbow trout, Kokanee, perch and small mouth bass. The boating is good during the week but way overcrowded on the weekends. On a weekend you can see people fishing, kayaking, canoeing, skiing, wake boarding, sailing, towing pull toys, and just running around on Personal Watercraft and motorboats, all at the same time! During the week it is much calmer, with mostly people fishing, some rowers from the rowing club, and maybe a skier. There is a speed limit on the lake and traffic is supposed to travel counterclockwise around the lake, but many people ignore this. Enforcement is spotty and on the southern half of the lake which is owned by the Army there is virtually no enforcement, except when the Army closes off the part they use for exercises. Anyone can use both ends of the lake but only military personnel can go ashore in the southern half. There are swimming beaches but the lake has had a problem with toxic runoff and many times swimming is banned. There are two public boat ramps and two boat ramps for military, one at Russell Landing Marina and one at Camp Murray, the Washington National Guard Base. The Army has an RV park on the lake with fishing docks and cabins, and Camp Murray has an RV park for military and state employees.

All in all it's a beautiful lake, best used during the week. Lots of Bald Eagles to see, and...

It's a beautiful lake for fishing and boating. I'm not sure why some people cannot read the sign NO SWIMMING this lake is full of toxic algae that will give you horrible diarrhea, and sickness with the worst swimmers itch. I told a family recently there was no swimming, pointed at the sign 5 feet away they called me stupid. After about 2 hours of them in the water and a fish hook on a kids foot everyone ran to the porta potties and started vomiting ( kids spitting lake water at each other) can't say the warning isn't there. Not only are you taking a chance with hooks but the water can make you...

Efficient. Good customer service and patient friendly.

Wall labels are easy to read.

I really like their privacy practice in the pharmacy. Get your ticket, you have a consult with the pharmacist and then you have a seat in the waiting area for your name to show up on the overhead Display Monitor. Then you can line up in the designated area near the pick up window, show your id and then pick up and sign for your meds without...