Fairly decent weather conditions and lots of fish brought out a good crowd Saturday for the state’s lowland lake trout fishing opener. Water temperatures warmer than on the last several opening days had trout active and on the bite most places, according to creel data supplied by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The new “trout derby” sponsored by WDFW is off to a good start, as evidenced by several of the specially tagged rainbow taken opening day. The season-long derby features tagged trout planted in selected lakes around the state, with prizes of gift cards or fishing-related merchandise supplied by license vendors. Since most of the selected lakes received 10 or 12 of the special fish, there will be plenty of them left to look for in the coming weeks of the season.
Here’s a rundown of opening day results in the more popular lakes:
SNOHOMISH COUNTY: Lake Armstrong, 44 anglers checked, averaged 4.4 trout either kept or released, largest trout reported was a 15-inch rainbow.
Lake Bosworth, 35 anglers checked, averaging 5.1 fish per rod, largest trout reported was a 17-inch rainbow, and two derby fish were caught. Checker said Wedding Rings and yellow/green Powerbait were the hot rigs.
Echo Lake (Maltby), 20 anglers checked, averaging 2.5 fish per rod, largest trout was a 17-inch rainbow.
Lake Howard, 21 anglers checked, excellent fishing was reported, at 6.4 trout per rod. Largest was an 18-inch rainbow.
Lake Ki, 42 anglers checked, averaging 5.9 trout per rod, largest a 17-inch rainbow, one derby fish reported caught.
Martha Lake (Alderwood Manor), 27 anglers checked, averaging an outstanding 8.8 fish per rod. Largest an 18.5-inch rainbow.
Lake Riley, 49 anglers, averaging 3.6, and one derby fish reported.
Lake Serene, 6 anglers checked, averaging 6.5 trout per rod.
Storm Lake, average 5.8 trout per rod, largest an 18-inch rainbow.
Wagner Lake, 4.2 fish average, the majority 12 inches or better
WHATCOM COUNTY: Lake Padden, the family-friendly water south of Bellingham, drew a large crowd and 102 anglers averaged 5.3 trout per person, largest a 17-inch rainbow.
SKAGIT COUNTY: Lake Erie, 56 anglers averaged 4.9 trout per rod, largest a 19-inch rainbow. Another good family opportunity, with many “jumbo” rainbow of 12-14 inches caught.
Heart Lake, 43 anglers averaged 5.0 trout per person, largest an 18.5-inch rainbow.
Lake McMurray, big crowd, 88 anglers averaged 4.4 trout per rod, largest an 18.5-inch rainbow.
Lake Sixteen, 22 anglers averaged a whopping 11.4 trout kept/released per person, largest a 15-inch rainbow.
One of the best lakes in King County was Lake Margaret, where anglers averaged 7.9 trout per rod, many jumbos, and one derby fish lost at the boat.
Deer Lake on Whidbey Island produced well, at 4.3 per rod, for the 27 anglers checked. Largest was a 19.3-inch rainbow.
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