On your mark, get set, fish

Traffic on local lakes will become far more congested starting tomorrow with the official opening of the lake fishing season.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials estimate upwards of 300,000 anglers will converge on Washington’s 4,500-plus lakes, ponds and reservoirs this weekend.

Their target: a share of the 25 million fish stocked by WDFW hatchery crews.

“Opening day is often the best time to catch some of these fish,” WDFW director Jeff Koenings said. “But that also means that many lakes with our improved access facilities can be very crowded.”

Anglers 15-and-up can purchase a freshwater fishing license online at www.wdfw.gov; by calling 1-866-246-9453; or at hundreds of dealers across the state. Every license buyer receives a vehicle use permit, which must be on any motor vehicle parked in a WDFW fishing access parking lot.

Koenings suggested anglers seek out some of the state’s less-crowded locales by perusing the Washington Fishing Guide, available on the agency’s Web site and at WDFW offices.

For those who prefer to stay close to home, here is a brief rundown of some spots in North King and South Snohomish counties worth checking out:

Ballinger Lake: Located on the county line between Snohomish and King counties, just west of Interstate 5. Public access is through the city park in the northeast corner. A boat ramp, parking, toilets and a fishing pier are available. Rainbow trout, largemouth bass and yellow perch are the principal species, with some crappie and brown bullheads. Open year-round.

Bitter Lake: In North Seattle off Highway 99 at 130th. A city park on the east end offers shore fishing, but no developed boat ramp. Car toppers may be launched from the north and east sides. Primary species are pumpkinseed sunfish, largemouth bass and brown bullhead catfish. Occasional (not every year) plants of rainbow trout are made when fish are available. Open year-round.

Haller Lake: Located in North Seattle at Meridian Avenue North and 125th North. Haller has no developed access, but the lake may be reached for limited shore fishing and car-toppers from Meridian on the north shore and North 125th Avenue at the west end of the lake. Occasional (not every year) plants of catchable-size trout are made when fish are available. The lake also offers largemouth bass and yellow perch. Open year-round.

Martha Lake: Located two miles northeast of Alderwood Manor in south Snohomish County. The WDFW access on the southeast corner has a boat ramp, parking and toilet. A county park on the lake’s south end also has parking and toilets, plus play and picnic areas and two large fishing piers. Stocked rainbow trout are the main draw, but cormorant predation can affect the fishing. Largemouth bass, yellow perch and bullhead catfish are available as well. Open season runs from the last Saturday in April through Oct. 31.

Scriber Lake: This small, mixed-species lake is located in Scriber Lake Park in Lynnwood. A small fishing pier provides access for very limited fishing for largemouth bass and yellow perch. Open year-round.

Lake Serene: Located just west of Highway 99 at Shelby Road in Lynnwood. Serene offers public access with parking, toilet and boat ramp at the west end of the lake. It is mainly a rainbow trout lake, but largemouth bass are also present. Open last Saturday in April through Oct. 31.

Silver Lake: Located 51/2 miles south of Everett along the Bothell-Everett Highway. It has no developed boat access areas, but car-topper access is feasible for a limited number of vehicles along the southeast corner of the lake. There is ample shoreline access and a fishing dock along the highway. Access and restrooms are available in the city park on the west shore. Rainbow and kokanee are stocked (after May 1 to avoid bird predation) and co-exist with largemouth bass and yellow perch. This lake will also receive a bonus plant of large triploid rainbow trout this year. Open year-round.

Stickney Lake: About four miles northeast of Lynnwood, between I-5 and Highway 99. The WDFW boat launch on the north shore has parking and a toilet. Largemouth bass, yellow perch and black crappie are present. Occasional (not every year) plants of catchable-size trout are made when fish are available. Open last Saturday in April through Oct. 31.

Snohomish County shore fishing: There is an expanding recreational fishery along Snohomish County shorelines casting for pink salmon (odd years), coho salmon and steelhead. Popular areas include, but are not limited to, Mukilteo and Kayak Point.

Shellfish and marine fish: Recreational shrimp areas are found near Edmonds and in Possession Sound and Port Susan. Good crabbing opportunities are available adjacent to most marine shorelines. Marine fishing is available at the Edmonds fishing pier, Everett marine pier, Mukilteo pier, and Stewart’s Dock in Everett. For more information, visit www.wdfw.gov. Questions and comments may be sent by e-mail to entsports@heraldnet.com, by fax to 425-774-8622 or by mail to Sports editor, The Enterprise, 4303 198th St. SW., Lynnwood, WA 98036.