Saturday is the ceremonial opening day for freshwater fishing in Washington state.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is expecting more than 300,000 anglers and hobbyists to hit the waters this weekend alone for what they call “the best bargain in Washington.” Lakes all across Kitsap, Mason and Jefferson counties will be opening and likely to be gushing with open-seasoners.
With more than 500 miles of Pacific Coast shoreline matched with more than 2,000 combined miles along the shores of the Hood Canal, Strait of Juan de Fuca and the San Juan Islands, plus some 4,000 rivers and streams and more than 7,000 lakes and reservoirs, Washington state is seemingly an anglers’ paradise. The sheer numbers are incredible. And for a saltwater/freshwater/shellfish combination license (at less than $50 for residents), you can fish almost all of it.
Licenses are available online at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and by calling toll free 1 (866) 246-9453.
What’s more, each year, the state department of Fish and Wildlife contracts with hatcheries around the state to stock the waters with a bounty to meet the demand. The WDFW hatcheries stock about 19 million trout and kokanee fry annually that will grow to catchable size for the spring opener, in addition to another three million catchable trout planted throughout the late winter and right up to the opener.
While April 25 signals the traditional start of the state’s most intense freshwater fishing period, many lakes are open year-round and may be stocked as early as January. The WDFW notes anglers could be missing out on prime time before the opening date.
Most rivers and streams open June 1, while seasons for marine fish, anadromous fish and shellfish vary according to species and are sometimes set or adjusted during the year.
Check the WDFW Web site at www.wdfw.wa.gov/fishing for the most up to date info, along with the 150-page Fishing Prospects pdf, the 40-page Hatchery Trout Stocking Plan and more.
Here’s a quick look at What’s Up in some of Kitsap’s waters:
KITSAP LAKE: The Peninsula’s largest (240 acres) and perhaps most well-known fishing hole is open year-round, offering rainbow and cutthroat along with largemouth bass and other warm water species. It’s also one of a few lakes around the state slated for a bonus plant of larger triploid rainbow trout this May. The trout should stay up around the top three to five feet during the first few weeks after stocking, while warmer water fish can be found deeper later in the season. Public boat launch, restrooms. Good place for the family. Located just outside of Bremerton.
PANTHER LAKE: About 10 miles west of Bremerton, straddling the Kitsap/Mason county lines, Panther Lake (104 acres) is another slated for a bonus plant of triploid rainbow trout this month. It’s open this weekend through Oct. 31, well-stocked with rainbows. Keep in mind trout tend to stay within three to five feet from the surface in the initial weeks after planting. Small boat launch.
BUCK LAKE: One of North Kitsap’s most well-known fishing holes, Hansville’s Buck Lake opens this weekend through Oct. 31, expect fair fishing with seven-to-nine-inch rainbows.
HORSESHOE LAKE: A well-known spot in the south end of the county, nine miles south of Port Orchard, Horseshoe Lake (40 acres) is open this Saturday through Oct. 31. The WDFW says to expect fair fishing for seven-to-nine-inch stocked rainbow trout.
ISLAND LAKE: Which used to be the ceremonial opening day lake, located a few miles west of Keyport off Central Valley Road, is now open year-round with a kids-only fishing pond and 2,500 eight-to-10 inch stocked rainbow trout. Island Lake hosts a kids’ derby, sponsored by the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, June 20. Info at www.castforkids.org.
WILDCAT LAKE: Located six miles northwest of Bremerton, Wildcat is another family-friendly, picnic-ready park which opens for fishing this weekend through Oct. 31. The WDFW says to expect good fishing for eight-to-10-inch stocked rainbows along with opportunities for cutthroat trout, largemouth bass and even bullhead catfish throughout the season.
WYE LAKE: At the south end of the county, three-and-a-half miles southeast of Belfair, Wye Lake (38 acres) is stocked with 12-inch rainbows and smaller trout. Open this Saturday through Oct. 31, the WDFW notes largemouth bass fishing gets good here as the water warms up.
ALONG THE SHORELINE: Surf smelt opportunities along the shorelines of local bays in Poulsbo, Port Orchard, Bremerton, Silverdale are best in the fall and winter months, all though some spawning occurs year round.
