Fishing Report for April 28
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife promises today’s lowland lakes season opener will be big in more ways than one.
As usual, they’re expecting it to lure more anglers (300,000 or more) to the waters than any other opening day. Also, according to a statement released earlier this month, the trout will be “two to three inches longer than last year.” The WDFW released 3 million hatchery-reared trout averaging 11-13 inches. WDFW director Phil Anderson said earlier this month that the department is responding to “anglers who really enjoy catching larger fish.”
Mineral Lake and Offut Lake resorts are running fishing derbies this weekend. Offut was stocked with 11,000 trout this week.
LAKES
American: This is a good place to try for trout and kokanee.
Cady: Chironomids are proving the best bet for catching trout.
Tapps: Lots of small fish caught using tube bait, and smallmouth bass fishing is heating up.
Skagit County: Mike Chamberlain of Ted’s Sports Center in Lynnwood said Heart and Erie lakes are traditionally among the best for the opening of lowland lake trout season.
Antilon: Now that the ice has melted, this Eastern Washington lake is proving to be a great place to catch brown trout.
Chelan: Trolling for lakers with Purple Glow Flatfish and Cha Cha Squidders above the Narrows is still producing good results, said Anton Jones of Darrell and Dad’s Family Guide Service.
Roses: Jones says this newly planted Eastern Washington lake is a good place to catch rainbow trout right now.
Potholes: Walleye fishing is picking up on the Lind Coulee arm of Potholes Reservoir and the Crab Creek Channel, according to Mike Meseberg of MarDon Resort.
SALT WATER
Tacoma: Point Defiance Boathouse Marina staffers report blackmouth fishing has been fair. The best luck has gone to those trolling, mooching or jigging between Dalco and the clay banks.
Salmon fishing in the area closes Tuesday, when lingcod fishing begins.
South Sound: Zittel’s Johnson Point Marina reports that fishing is pretty good but that there aren’t many people trying.
North Sound: Chamberlain says there is still some good fishing in Marine Areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay) and 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner).
Fly-fishing: Try small fry patterns to catch sea-run cutthroat trout.
Clamming: The last razor clam dig of the season is planned for May 5-7 on morning tides at Twin Harbors beach if toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat.
RIVERS
Cowlitz: The staff at Fish Country Inc. reported earlier this week that salmon fishing is starting to pick up. Use eggs and shrimp, Kwikfish with herring, and back-bouncing eggs from boats or eggs with shrimp tail from the bank.
Olympic Peninsula: Chamberlain says the action is slowing down, with some guides even canceling trips planned for this weekend.
Kalama: Steelhead and spring chinook are biting here.
Lewis: Anglers are catching spring chinook on the North Fork.
HUNTING
The WDFW announced this week that hunters have until May 18 to apply for special hunting permits for fall deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep and turkey seasons. For more information, visit
WDFW.wa.gov.
craig.hill@thenewstribune.com 253-597-8497
blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure
