Kokanee in Lake Stevens seem to be most active and closest to the surface during the early hours, plus you get to avoid the pleasure boat traffic that plagues Lake Stevens on warm summer afternoons. Bull trout are also present in both lakes, but must be released immediately if caught. Rock Lake. Lake Sammamish, the next biggest natural lake in King County, offers a similar fishery just a bit farther east of Lake Washington. OutdoorHub 03.15.13. High lakes fish stocking This stocking information is intended to give the user ideas where different species and quantities of fish have been stocked by WDFW and volunteers into high lakes across Washington. When the bite is really on, the best action is early in the day. Lake Sammamish, just outside Seattle, was historically one of the areas go-to kokanee lakes, but kokanee fishing here has been closed in recent years following a major population collapse. The kokanee population at Banks Lake is fueled largely by abundant stocking from WDFW. To make it easier to pinpoint a kokanee fishing spot near you or your next vacation destination, weve divided the fisheries up into three broad regions across the state. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The 6.25-pound state record was caught here in 2003. Both steelhead and rainbow trout start out their lives in much the same way. Heading roughly south down the Interstate 5 corridor, here are some of the top options we recommend, in part because theyre loaded with catchable rainbow trout: In Central Washington, check out the following hot spots: In Eastern Washington, these are some lakes that tend to be heavily planted with rainbows: If youd rather fling flies at rainbow trout, we suggest you check out: These lakes arent stocked as heavily and most of the lakes weve already mentioned, but their fly fishing rules and conservation-minded regulations keep them full of big, feisty trout. Millions of kokanee fingerlings have been stocked in recent years, and anglers are catching more and more of these silvery landlocked salmon. In Western Washington, literally hundreds of lakes are stocked with trout. Lake Chelan also is famous for big lake trout and offers cutthroat trout, smallmouth bass, burbot and other game fish as well. The fish is considered both very attractive and tasty When cooked, the flesh is firm and red, and the skin both loses its spots and turns a pale gold. The lake has been stocked with several species of fish including: largemouth bass, walleye, saugeye, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill and crappie. The kokanee fishing gets better and better as the summer wears on, with great fishing in June and July. Fortunately, that window easily includes the best kokanee fishing months. Little Ash Lake stocked a total of 18 10lb rainbow, last on December 12th, 2022. Lows will likely be below freezing Wednesday. Jigging can also be very productive for putting kokanee into the boat quickly, if you know what youre doing, and a few anglers tempt them still-fishing with bait. Some waters, such as the Cowlitz River, also are stocked with searun cutthroat trout. Brook trout are a popular and widely distributed game fish in Washington and although they are called a trout, they are actually a char, closely related to lake trout and bull trout rather than rainbow or cutthroat trout. You can get one online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, by telephone at 1-866-246-9453 or at dealers around the state. Monofilament recovery and recycling program, Statewide hatchery trout and kokanee stocking plan, Winter and summer steelhead smolt stocking. While the fishing can be excellent in both lakes, and it varies year to year, Merwin is often regarded as the best for both size and numbers. The warmer it gets, the more fishing pressure from other anglers, the thicker the grass and brush surrounding their habitats and the lower the water levels. Find lakes targeting a species that's excellent for this month. The lake also freezes most winters, making it a popular ice fishing destination for a variety of fish. The Herald brings our community together in sometimes surprising ways. Trout can be found in Washington lakes and rivers year-round, with fishing season usually beginning around April and ending in the fall. In the past, Tims Ponds stocked tens of thousands of rainbow averaging 0.5 lbs. Coastal cutthroat are a native species generally located west of the Cascades and into the lower Columbia River and its tributaries, while Westslope cutthroat are found east of the Cascades (the Westslope in the name refers to their location west of the Rockies). Overall, American Lake follows a typical pattern when it comes to the size of the fish and the best season. Visit in May or June if youre looking to fill your cooler with pan-sized kokanee. Consider adding a rubber snubber to the line to create more cushion and avoid ripping the hook out of the fishs mouths. Trout prefer to wait and cruise in the bottom 2-3 feet of water to intercept any food that drifts by. (1) It is unlawful to use more than two hooks to fish in saltwater, except for forage fish jigger gear and squid jig gear, and when fishing from the north jetty of the Columbia River. This fish rating is provided from WDFW on how good or poor the opportunity to catch any given species at any given month at a particular lake. This year-round lake 15 minutes south of Olympia has good spring trout fishing once WDFW stocks it around April and May with thousands of fish. The current world record tiger trout, weighing 20 pounds and 13 ounces , was caught by Pete Friedland out of Lake Michigan back in 1978. Where is the biggest trout in Washington? Its a partnership between folks who sell fishing licenses and the state to get more people out fishing and give them excuses to visit some of these sporting goods stores, Spinelli said. Lake trout The average size kokanee in Lake Merwin is around 13 to 15 inches. Spinelli said his favorite lakes to fish depend on the experience he is looking for, but Sixteen Lake near Conway, as well as Lake Ki and Bosworth Lake, locally, stand out for the beauty and plentiful fish to catch. This lake produced the state record 18-pound Lahontan. What Is The Best Place To Go Bass Fishing, Fish Lake, Leavenworth, WA. You could call it a kokanee craze. The old standby Wedding Ring spinner with a nightcrawler on the hook a pretty common tactic. However, if youre up for a long walk in the high mountains, it could be a fun way to check off another bucket list fish. Finding kokanee can be tricky here, but persistence pays off. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife expects to stock or has stocked more than 16.2 million trout and kokanee into over 500 water bodies across the state to provide for excellent trout and kokanee fishing opportunities during 2022. Where is the best salmon fishing in Washington State? Antillon (Lower and Upper) and Fish Lake in Chelan County. Areas off Minneapolis Beach and Rocky Point can be very productive, along the face of Mill Bay and the Yacht Club area. Kachess Lake and Keechelus Lake are also great kokanee fishing destinations, and despite the seemingly remote landscape that surrounds them, both are located a stones throw from I-90 downhill from Snoqualmie Pass. The only real rival to Lenore when it comes to Lahontans is Omak Lake on the Colville Indian Reservation in Okanogan County (southeast of the city of Omak). Coinciding with the opening will be the kick off of the 2022 statewide trout derby. Enjoy several stocked lakes and privacy. Click here to find a dealer. Rainbow trout Fish Lake, Leavenworth, WA. Brown trout are a popular and widely distributed game fish in Washington The Salmo genus name indicates they are not closely related to our native trout and salmon but rather are most closely related to Atlantic salmon, and like Atlantic salmon, they are of European origin. South Central Washingtons Best: Yakima River The Yakima is without a doubt considered by most veteran anglers to be the best trout fly fishing river in Washington, and its one of the only trout streams in the state that fly fishermen from Oregon and Idaho will travel to Washington to fish. Some of the lakes recently stocked include Island Lake in Kitsap County; Island, Lost, Nahwatzel, and Spencer lakes in Mason County; Lake Sylvia in Grays Harbor County; and Gibbs, Teal and Leland lakes in Jefferson County. Speaking of protected, cutthroat trout also are protected from harvest in Lake Whatcom near Bellingham, a historically strong cutthroat fishery harmed by human activity. For June: Kokanee Lake trout Westslope cutthroat trout. Fiorito North stocked a total of 55 10lb rainbow, last on January 25th, 2023. Pierce County. Kokanee Several school districts delayed classes after 1 or 2 inches fell in most areas. Its probably the most likely place in Washington to catch kokanee salmon that cross the elusive 20-inch mark. And a comprehensive remaking of states approach to drug possession advances toward action in the Senate. There are no fish in the lake, due to the high PH and mineral content. Hoochies on dodger setups are the go-to for local anglers, and its common to see lures tipped with shoepeg corn dyed in various colors and soaked in a wide range of scents. Merrill Lake (fly fishing) in Cowlitz County. 14 different lakes. They tend to run a little smaller in Yake Lake, but dont write off your chances of catching bigger fish. Boaters and Swimmers Wary of Lake Washington Bull Shark Lake Forest Park, WA Wednesday, a 10 Ft. Bull Shark was seen in Lake Washington near the Lake Forest Park Civic Club Cutty Briar, Washington Department of Fish and Game says, Bull Sharks are known to be able to swim between salt and fresh water. Search for stocked lakes near you by entering your zip code or address. California Golden Trout Distribution As a result of extensive pack train collection and stocking efforts over the last century, they can be found in nearby Cottonwood Lakes and Mulkey Creek, as well as several watersheds in the Sierra Nevada. Theyre native to a handful of lakes in Washington, but have also been stocked in dozens of lakes across the state by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The largest rainbow ever stocked is 10 lbs. Banks Lake is another expansive impoundment in the Columbia Rivers massive hydroelectric and irrigation project, located just south of Grand Coulee Dam. The lures used to catch them arent usually intended to mimic their natural food, but rather to provoke a reaction strike from these naturally aggressive fish. Vladivostok: Dalnauka, 2003. Battle Ground Lake stocked a total of 25 10lb rainbow, last on December 28th, 2022. A western green drake or Drunella Grandis is a large crawling mayfly that can be easily identified for its upright mayfly wings and vibrant green color. . The Thanksgiving weekend is one of the best times of year to go fishing in Washington, and its also a great time to introduce visiting friends or relatives to the joy of fishing, said Steve Caromile, inland fish program manager with WDFW. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Conventional wisdom suggests that late spring is the best time to catch trout, especially if youre looking for larger fish. We will never share your email with third parties or spam you. The Everett Museum of History celebrated Dan Bates and Julie Muhlstein, whose work often highlighted local history. Mattoon Lake stocked a total of 55 10lb rainbow, last on December 1st, 2022. Its hard to imagine a more beautiful fishing destination than neighboring Kachess and Keechelus Lakes. As a bonus, its only about 45 minutes beyond Snoqualmie Pass from the Seattle area, or a similar distance driving northwest from Ellensburg. Westslope cutthroat trout Largemouth bass Rather, Lahontans come from the Great Basin area that stretches from western Nevada into northwestern California and southeastern Oregon, where they have adapted to high-alkaline waters that most other trout cant tolerate. Lake Chelan. Please use the Table of Contents coming up in a few paragraphs to narrow down your searches. According to the Fishbase online database Rainbow trout inhabit water between 0 and 200m (656ft) The source of this maximum depth is from the Catalog of marine and freshwater fishes of the northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk. Rufus Woods Lake has been jointly managed by Colville Tribes Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The action on Lake Stevens heats up as the calendar turns to May, and stays strong well into summer. Its also deep. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The stocking is comprised of "catchables", "jumbos", "put, grow and take" and "fry/fingerling" plants. Myron Lake stocked a total of 37 10lb rainbow, last on November 3rd, 2022. Monofilament recovery and recycling program. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. (Most of the top-tier lakes weve already told you about above also have links to more in-depth articles. Try tolling at about 1.4 to 1.6 mph, and dial it down if the fish seem to prefer a slower presentation. Soap Lake is a meromictic soda lake in the town of Soap Lake, Washington formed by the Missoula Floods at the foot of the Grand Coulee. Rotary Lake stocked a total of 56 10lb rainbow, last on November 10th, 2022. The forest service provides campgrounds, boat launch facilities and shoreline hiking trails around both lakes. if youre concerned about temperature drops in the water, be sure and bring an insulated swimming outfit, like a thermal , Know Where Youre Wading Scout Ahead. In north-central Washington, triploid brook trout are regularly stocked in a few lakes. What Is The Most Versatile Type Of Fishing Rod? This would be our top choice for trips.. From the small haunts to the well-known spots, more information on the local stocking schedule can be found at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/stocking. Its about an hour from Seattle and 30 minutes from Olympia, making it a convenient day trip for many anglers. Heres another non-native char, though it hails from the other side of the country in the Great Lakes and up into Canada, rather than the other side of the globe. Lakes with generally modest populations of lake trout include a few in the high Cascades of Western Washington, including neighboring Bear and Snoqualmie lakes in the high mountains of eastern King County and Wallace Lake in Snohomish County. For several years, radar speed signs have been the dominant answer. The official state fish of Washington is the steelhead trout , which is scientifically known as Salmo gairdnerii. Some of the best coastal cutthroat trout fishing lakes include: Lake Washington, the mammoth natural lake between Seattle and Bellevue, produces some of the larger cutthroat trout around for those who learn the secrets. If youre looking to hook into huge trout without the crowds, then keep reading to find your next trout fishing hot spot. Non-seagoing cutthroat trout in westside streams tend to run smaller than sea-runs and can be most densely populated in the upper watersheds. As the largest natural lake in eastern Washington, Rock Lake covers 2,189 acres and stretches for nearly 7 miles through the desert landscape. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Look for venders at wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/dealers. Of Washington is the best action is early in the Lake also freezes most winters, making it popular. 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