As many as 300,000 anglers are expected to be out for Saturtday’s lowland lake-fishing season opener.
“It’s about six times bigger than any other single sporting event in the state,” said state Department of Fish and Wildlife director Jeff Koenings. “Fortunately, we’re not all in one place that day. I wish I could guarantee perfect weather, but I can say there will be plenty of fish to go around.”
Over 21 million fish have been stocked in the past year in hundreds of waters by state fish hatchery crews. The opener, traditionally on the last Saturday of April, marks the start of Washington’s most intense fishing season. Waters that are open year-round or that opened earlier this spring and have been re-stocked also are part of the opener.
Most lowland lakes that open April 29 remain open through October. Unlike high-elevation lakes that are stocked later in the year, many lowland lakes were stocked last spring and fall with 3-inch trout fry that grow to “catchable” size by the opener. Others are receiving catchable-size (8- to 12-inch) trout now. Right before the opener, some get a few bigger fish, including sterile triploid rainbow trout capable of growing to trophy size, “jumbo” size (1 to 2-pound) rainbows, and surplus hatchery rainbow broodstock up to five pounds each.
Among the fish to be caught this season:
•6,309,500 rainbow trout fry, now of catchable size, stocked late last year into 532 lakes, including 396 lowland lakes
•12,342,200 kokanee fry, expected to show in this year’s catch, stocked in 38 lakes
•3,077,700 catchable-size rainbow, cutthroat, brown and eastern brook trout now being stocked in 363 lakes and 17 streams
•60,703 triploid rainbow trout to be stocked in 95 lakes
•52,200 jumbo and surplus hatchery broodstock trout to be stocked in 100 lakes.
Fish stocking details, by county and lake, are available in the Hatchery Trout Stocking Plan at www.wdfw.wa.gov/home.htm.
Of Washington’s some 4,500 lakes, ponds and reservoirs, more than 600 have state-managed access sites. Among those sites are 275 access points on lowland lakes that open April 29. These sites include boat launches, dock and shoreline fishing, including areas accessible for persons with disabilities. Other state and federal agencies operate hundreds more such facilities.
“I urge everyone to be patient and safe at boat launches and docks,” Koenings said. “Everyone in boats, and all children on shore, should use personal flotation devices.”
Vehicles parked at state fishing access sites are required to display a state vehicle use permit that comes free with every fishing license. The permits are transferable between up to two vehicles. Additional permits are available to recreational license buyers for $5 each and to other users of the areas for $10.
The state freshwater fishing license, valid April 1 through March 31, 2007, costs $21.90 for resident adults (16- 69 years of age). Seniors (70 years and older) and 15-year-olds can buy a fishing license for $5.48. Children 14 years and younger do not need a fishing license. All licenses can be purchased over the Internet, by telephone (1-866-246-9453) or at hundreds of license dealers across the state. A list of retail license dealers is available on the state Web site.
Fishing spots, listed by county and water, along with this year’s fishing prospects, can be found in “Washington Fishing Prospects, Where To Catch Fish In the Evergreen State.”
Copies of the annual “Fishing In Washington” sport fishing rules pamphlet are also available at state Department of Fish and Wildlife offices and on the department’s Web site.
Anglers should note that some new fishing rules go into effect May 1 and will be highlighted on the “What’s new for 2006” page of the 2006-07 pamphlet, available later in the month.
The WDFW’s North Puget Sound office is located at 16018 Mill Creek Blvd. in Mill Creek. The phone number is 425-775-1311.
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