Plenty of excitement and happy faces seen on many statewide lakes for the opening day of trout fishing
It was a customary opening day for trout fishing.
Off and on April showers. Slightly chilly temperatures. A bunch of enthusiasm wrapped in layers of warm/waterproof clothing. Decent fishing here and there. And most of all cheerful faces of folks reeling in trout.
That was just some of the observations seen on Saturday’s opening day of trout fishing across statewide lakes.
“It looks like the early spring and slightly warmer water temperatures helped keep catch rates higher than they have been in recent years, and overall, it been a great day,” said Steve Caromile, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) inland fish manager. “Weather is always a factor on the opener, and we definitely got a little rain in places, but the warmer temperatures seemed to keep people out longer.”
“I think effort was down this year from last as there has been some nice weather in the past few weeks, maybe getting people out doing other activities,” Caromile said. “Also, there was a razor clam dig over the weekend, and I know some of our lakes out towards the coast had low turnout.”
Statewide the target catch rates are 3.5 per angler and the harvest rates are 2.5 per angler. In 2023, it was 2.9 catch per angler and 1.8 harvest per angler, and in 2024, it was 3.4 and 2.1 respectively.
“Harvest is a hard one to have a goal for as it really depends upon the people fishing if they are harvest oriented or not.,” Caromile said. “But those numbers are pretty good.”
The statewide effort and catch estimate were roughly 147,000 anglers (160,000 in 2023), but there was a higher catch with around 537,000 trout caught and 373,000 kept (444,000 and 305,000 in 2023).
In the Puget Sound region, WDFW surveyors indicated decent catch rates, and some waited until the weather slightly warmed up later in the day before venturing out.
“Catch rates were solid although the turnout was lower than average,” said Justin Spinelli, a WDFW Puget Sound regional biologist. “Our of the 22 lakes we surveyed in Region 4 (North Puget Sound) the total catch was 37,500 with 2.2 trout kept per angler and 3.7 if you include fish released.”
More spring-like weather is expected to arrive later next week, and fishing success should continue to build heading into May and carrying on through early summer.
“I’d encourage folks to get out there on lakes in the months ahead,” Spinelli said. “Around Puget Sound we’ve stocked a good number of trout, so it should stay active for a while.”
In Eastern Washington around the greater Spokane region, it was a mixed bag of success although the quality of the trout stood out according to WDFW surveyors. The day started off a bit on the cooler side, but by early afternoon it warmed up along with the fishing action.
“All went well in Spokane and Lincoln counties for the opener, and participation was higher than last year,” said Randy Osborne, a WDFW regional biologist. “Temperatures were in the mid-40’s with mostly overcast skies. Overall, participation was high, and anglers were happy. The wind picked up at around 11 a.m. which drove some anglers off the water.”
Most lakes fished well, Osborne said, especially Clear Lake (4.5 fish per angler caught, and a mix of brown trout up to 18 inches and lots of fry plant rainbow around 13 inches) and Williams Lake (many 15- to 16-inch carryover rainbows). West Medical was busy, but fishing was slow as expected due to the overpopulation of illegally stocked goldfish which has impacted the trout fishery there.
Trout by the numbers
In 2024, WDFW expects to stock or has stocked more than 14.4 million trout into hundreds of water bodies across Washington. Of those an estimated 2.21 million are catchable-size trout averaging 12 to 14 inches, and nearly 143,000 “jumbo” trout measuring 14 or more inches long and averaging 1.5 pounds were being stocked.
Several Eastern Washington opening day lakes receive annual fry/fingerling trout plants. In 2024, more than 10-million trout fry/fingerling (1 to 5 inches) were stocked and should average 8 to 12 inches this season.
WDFW will continue to do additional trout stocking in the weeks ahead and should boost fishing opportunities throughout spring and early summer. Refer to the 2024 WDFW stocking plan webpage for more information.
When heading out to lakes in the coming weeks and months, please be respectful of fellow anglers and other recreationists, obey posted signage at all water access areas and follow parking regulations and have a backup plan in case your preferred destination is overcrowded.
You cand find helpful fishing tips on where to go and how to catch trout by going to the WDFW blog. For other excellent fishing resources to get additional tips on lowland lakes, go to WDFW places to go fishing webpage and the Weekender Report.
There are thousands of lakes, ponds and reservoirs across Washington, and hundreds of WDFW-managed water-access areas, including some with areas accessible for people with disabilities. Details on water-access areas can be found on WDFW’s water access area website.
Now that spring has arrived, Washingtonians are reminded that a new fishing season is underway and need to buy a 2024–2025 recreational hunting and fishing licenses. A fishing license is required (youth under age 15 fish for free) and can be purchased from WDFW’s licensing website, and from hundreds of license vendors around the state. The 2023–2024 licenses expired on March 31.
Anglers parking at WDFW vehicle water-access areas are required to display the WDFW Vehicle Access Pass — provided when you buy eligible annual fishing licenses — or a Discover Pass. Anglers visiting Washington State Parks or Department of Natural Resources lands need a Discover Pass. Information on parking passes can be found at WDFW’s parking and access passes webpage.
Before heading out, anglers should check WDFW’s fishing regulations webpage for permanent regulations and emergency rules webpage for rule updates affecting fisheries.
WDFW Trout Derby
The WDFW Trout Derby began on opening day with anglers finding a fair number of tagged fish. The derby continues through Oct. 31, and the annual statewide trout derby offers a free chance for participants with a valid WDFW fishing license to claim any of the remaining 864 prizes worth more than $42,000.
“It has been very popular with anglers for the last nine years,” Caromile said. “The generosity of our vendors has made the trout derby a huge success, and something that many anglers look forward to.”
All the trout have a yellow tag attached to their dorsal fin. The derby has generated close to 50 to 55 percent of the tags Visit the derby website to see lakes containing tagged fish.
Note: Temporary licenses are not valid for game fish species April 27 through May 5, 2024; except for active-duty military personnel serving in any branch of the United States armed forces.
Statewide opening day results
Chelan County — Wapato Lake, 33 anglers with 180 trout kept and none released for 5.4 kept per angler.
Douglas County — Jameson Lake, 38 anglers with 166 trout kept and one released for 4.3 kept per angler.
Grant County — Blue Lake, 30 anglers with 116 trout kept and none released for 3.8 kept per angler. Warden Lake, 44 anglers with 138 trout kept and 97 released for 3.1 kept per angler.
Grays Harbor County — Lake Sylvia, 22 anglers with 15 trout kept and two released for 0.6 kept per angler. Duck Lake, three anglers with four trout kept and none released for 1.3 kept per angler. Failor Lake, 53 anglers with 163 trout kept and 105 released for 3.0 kept per angler. Lake Inez, 28 anglers with 39 trout kept and 41 released for 1.3 kept per angler. Lake Aberdeen, 133 anglers with 222 trout kept and 303 released for 1.6 kept per angler.
Jefferson County — Tarboo Lake, 25 anglers with 77 trout kept and 20 released for 3.0 kept per angler.
Island County — Deer Lake, 42 anglers with 34 kept trout and 75 released for 0.8 kept per angler. Goss Lake, 17 anglers with 60 kept trout and 43 released for 3.5 kept per angler.
King County — Cottage Lake, 58 anglers with 140 kept trout and 89 released for 12.4 kept per angler. Langlois Lake, 17 anglers with 43 kept trout and 57 released for 2.5 kept per angler. Margaret Lake, nine anglers with 10 trout kept and 44 released for 1.1 kept per angler. North Lake, 42 anglers with 124 trout kept and 105 released for 2.9 kept per angler. Pine Lake, 54 anglers with 147 trout kept and 72 released for 2.7 kept per angler. Wilderness Lake, 39 anglers with 96 trout kept and 24 released for 1.4 kept per angler.
Kitsap County — Wildcat Lake, 22 anglers with 47 trout kept and 24 released for 2.1 kept per angler.
Klickitat County — Rowland Lake, 56 anglers with 124 trout kept and 153 released for 2.2 kept per angler.
Lewis County — Carlisle Lake, 51 anglers with 12 trout kept and two released for 0.2 kept per angler. Mineral Lake, 83 anglers with 129 trout kept and 201 released for 1.5 kept per angler.
Lincoln/Spokane County — Fishtrap Lake, 22 anglers with 20 trout kept and none released for 0.9 kept per angler.
Mason County — Devereaux Lake, 34 anglers with 134 trout kept and 17 released for 3.9 kept per angler. Lake Limerick, 40 anglers with 27 trout kept and 45 released for 0.6 kept per angler. Tiger Lake, 16 anglers with 32 trout kept and two released for 2.0 kept per angler. Wooten Lake, 20 anglers with 22 trout kept and 17 released for 1.1 kept per angler.
Okanogan County — Pearrygin Lake, 19 anglers with 50 trout kept and one released for 2.6 kept per angler. Round Lake, 29 anglers with 54 trout kept and none released for 1.8 kept per angler. Long Lake, three anglers with five trout kept and seven released for 1.6 kept per angler.
Pacific County — Black Lake, 52 anglers with 99 trout kept and 12 released for 1.9 kept per angler. Cases Pond, five anglers with one trout kept and 12 released for 0.2 kept per angler. Loomis Lake, four anglers with no trout kept and two released for 0.0 kept per angler. Snag Lake, five anglers with 10 trout kept and 14 released for 2.0 kept per angler. Western Lake, two anglers with one trout kept and 12 released for 0.5 kept per angler.
Pend Oreille County — Diamond Lake, six anglers with five trout kept and one released for 1.0 kept per angler.
Pierce County — Clear Lake, 47 anglers with 125 trout kept and 24 released for 2.6 kept per angler. Crescent Lake, 22 anglers with 40 trout kept and 31 released for 1.8 kept per angler. Ohop Lake, seven anglers with no trout kept or released for 0.0 kept per angler. Rapjohn Lake, 23 anglers with 62 trout kept and 47 released for 2.7 kept per angler. Silver Lake, 49 anglers with 124 trout kept and 34 released for 2.5 kept per angler. Tanwax Lake, 14 anglers with 16 trout kept and none released for 1.1 kept per angler.
San Juan Island County — Cascade Lake, 26 anglers with 18 trout kept and seven released for 0.6 kept per angler.
Skagit County — Erie Lake, 22 anglers with 54 kept trout and 10 released for 2.4 kept per angler. Heart Lake, 28 anglers with 80 kept trout and 79 released for 2.8 kept per angler. Lake McMurray, 56 anglers with 146 kept trout and 126 released for 2.2 kept per angler. Lake Sixteen, 20 anglers with 49 kept trout and seven released for 2.4 kept per angler.
Snohomish County — Armstrong Lake, 12 anglers with 26 kept trout and eight released for 2.1 kept per angler. Bosworth Lake, 18 anglers with 50 kept trout and 48 released for 2.7 kept per angler. Echo-Maltby Lake, nine anglers with 14 trout kept and 10 released for 1.5 kept per angler. Martha-Alderwood Manor, 31 anglers with 53 kept trout and 80 released for 1.7 kept per angler. Serene Lake, six anglers with 12 kept trout and 53 released for 2.0 kept per angler. Storm Lake, 29 anglers with 63 kept trout and 120 released for 2.1 kept per angler.
Spokane County –Badger Lake, 32 anglers with 48 trout kept and 46 released for 1.5 kept per angler. Clear Lake, 21 anglers with 41 trout kept and 37 released for 1.9. West Medical Lake, 94 anglers with 45 trout kept and 16 released for 0.4 kept per angler. Williams Lake, 25 anglers with 13 trout kept and 94 released for 0.5 kept per angler.
Stevens County — Mudgett Lake, 29 anglers with 16 trout kept and one released for 0.5 kept per angler. Rocky Lake, 12 anglers with 13 trout kept and two released for 1.2 kept per angler. Starvation Lake, 15 anglers with 18 trout kept and 15 released for 1.0 kept per angler. Waitts Lake, five anglers with 12 trout kept and six released for 2.4 kept per angler.
Thurston County — Clear Lake, 49 anglers with 189 trout kept and none released for 3.8 kept per angler. Deep Lake, 40 anglers with 21 trout kept and 62 released for 0.5 kept per angler. Hicks Lake, 26 anglers with 82 trout kept or 33 released for 3.1 kept per angler. McIntosh Lake, four anglers with 10 trout kept and none released for 2.5 kept per angler. Summit Lake, 40 anglers with 125 trout kept and 182 released for 3.1 kept per angler. Ward Lake, 18 anglers with 25 trout kept and 20 released for 1.3 kept per angler.
Whatcom County — Cain Lake, 18 anglers with 42 kept trout and 38 released for 2.3 kept per angler. Padden Lake, 48 anglers with 22 kept trout and one released for 0.4 kept per angler. Toad Lake, 23 anglers with 35 kept trout and 117 released for 1.5 kept per angler.
