Fishing Report
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has primed 10 Western Washington lakes for Father’s Day weekend.
The WDFW stocked the lakes (and four Eastern Washington lakes) with 5,000 triploid rainbow trout.
“We encourage families to get Dad out fishing, especially if he hasn’t been for a while,” Chris Donley, the WDFW inland fish program, said in a prepared statement. “Giving Dad a fishing license as a gift and taking him out to catch one of these big fish is a great way to spend the weekend.”
In South Sound, American Lake was stocked with 1,200 fish, Vance Creek Ponds near Elma got 100 fish and Kitsap County’s Island Lake was infused with 300 fish.
In King County, Green Lake (870 fish), Lake Geneva (450), Bitter Lake (100) and Echo Lake (100) were also stocked.
LAKES
American: David Anderson of Bill’s Boathouse is telling anglers who take their boats, “You can go for a boat ride, but if you want to catch trout, the dock is the place to be.” Using worms and a bobber, anglers are “catching limits on rainbows in short order,” he said.
Mineral: Trolling and still-fishing are producing plenty of limits of brown and rainbow trout, most measuring 10-14 inches. People are using orange or green Power Eggs as well as black or olive green Woolly Buggers, said Doreen Douglas at Mineral Lake Resort.
Spanaway: Bud Herlitzka of the Spanaway Park Boat House said the pressure has been light despite good weather. He suggests trolling for browns and still-fishing for rainbows.
Tanwax: The Rainbow Resort reports that fishing is good with anglers landing big catches using Wedding Rings and worms, Woolly Buggers and other methods. The resort will have a fishing derby this weekend. Call 360-879-5115 for more information.
Washington: The Lake Washington Trout Derby is Saturday, and Thursday is the deadline to register. Entry fee is $20. For more information, call 206-719-6524 or visit
PSALakeWashington.org.
Chelan: Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad’s Family Guide Service says “what’s hot is kokanee fishing … (and) trolling for lake trout.” He says kokanee are averaging 14 inches. He says using a dodger is most productive. Anglers are catching rainbows and northern pike minnows off the docks.
SALT WATER
Tacoma: Fishing picked up over the weekend, according to the staff at the Point Defiance Boathouse Marina. Cod fishing is good but not great for those trolling, mooching or jigging near the Clay Banks, Dalco or the shelf. The staff recommends covering some ground and staying patient. Lingcod fishing finishes Friday.
South Sound: Mike Zittel of Zittel’s Johnson Point Marina reports that there aren’t many anglers heading out even when the weather is pleasant. He says anglers trying for lingcod are more likely to catch rockfish right now.
North Sound: Mike Chamberlain of Ted’s Sports Center in Lynnwood says fishing has been slow of late. Lingcod fishing finishes Friday.
Sekiu: Halibut and bottom-fishing have been good recently, according to the Olson Resort. Lingcod fishing is open and the fish are biting west of the Sekiu River, according to the resort’s website,
OlsonResort.com.
Coast: Chinook fishing has been good off Westport.
RIVERS
Bogachiel: Fishing reportedly is slowing down.
Skagit: Chamberlain says anglers are excited about Saturday’s opening of the river for sockeye fishing, although it’s unclear how good the fishing will be.
Skykomish: A hot start to the steelhead season seems to be cooling off.
Sol Duc: Anglers are catching fish, Chamberlain said.
craig.hill@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure @AdventureGuys
