State improves fall fishing by stocking lakes with trout

An estimated 125,000 trout will be stocked in 44 western Washington lakes to give anglers improved fishing opportunities this fall and into the holiday season.

Thirteen lakes in Pierce and Thurston counties will be among those stocked, receiving plants of more than 25,000 catchable-size rainbow trout.

“Fishing at lakes throughout the region should be great over the next few months,” Larry Phillips, inland fish program manager for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said in a news release. “Most of the trout are 11 to 13 inches long, with a few larger ones in the mix.”

Some of the lakes recently stocked include Beaver in King County, Teal in Jefferson County, and Island, Lost, Spenser and Nahwatzel lakes in Mason County.

The stocking will continue through November.

The fall fish plants, Phillips said, are in response to anglers’ requests to increase fall and winter trout fishing opportunities in western Washington.

The fall stocking plan includes planting lakes in southwest Washington for the Nov. 27 Black Friday opener, giving anglers the opportunity to skip the shopping malls, get outside and enjoy fishing on the day after Thanksgiving.

Anglers are reminded they must have a current Washington freshwater fishing license valid through March 31 to participate. Licenses can be purchased at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, by telephone at 866-246-9453 or at license vendors across the state. For license vendor locations, visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/.

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 7:20 PM with the headline "State improves fall fishing by stocking lakes with trout."