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County-by-County [I-J]...
This section gives a brief description of fishing opportunities in each county, arranged in alphabetical order. For specific regulation information, refer to the Fishing in Washington sport fishing rules pamphlet. Until the current year's pamphlet is available (usually by May 1 at the latest), continue to use the previous edition. Also check local newspapers or the nearest WDFW regional office for the latest information on emergency closures.
The wheelchair symbol indicates lakes or streams with enhanced accessibility.
ISLAND COUNTY
Camp Grande: Located at the north end of Camano Island, this area offers the most famous of the "classic" surf smelt fishing opportunities. Most of the area is private, but public access is available at Maple Grove County Park. Surf smelt are taken by rake June through October.
Cavelero's Beach: There are many potential sites for surf smelt raking on the eastern shore between Triangle Cove and Camano Head. Best opportunity is June through October.
Cornet Bay State Park: Located just east of the Deception Pass bridge, the state park's dock provides jigging opportunities for surf smelt and herring.
Coupeville Waterfront: The Coupeville waterfront plus the shoreline to the east and west offer surf smelt opportunities from June through October.
Cranberry Lake (128 acres): Located in Deception State Park, access is available through the park. There is a fishing pier on the east shore with a small boat launch on the northwest corner of the lake. The lake is open year-round, with rainbow trout, yellow perch, brown trout and largemouth bass available. Trout fishing should be fair, with some large carry-overs. Catchables will be stocked after May 1st to avoid bird predation.
Deer Lake (82 acres): Located one mile west of Clinton on Whidbey Island, Deer lake has a WDFW access on the northeast corner of the lake. Fishing is usually good-to-very-good for stocked catchable-size rainbow trout, and "holdover" rainbows or cutthroat 13 to 15 inches. Open season is from the last Saturday in April through October 31.
Goss Lake (55 acres): Located three miles west of Langley on Whidbey Island, Goss has a WDFW access on the east end of the lake. Expect fair to good fishing for recently-stocked catchable-size rainbow trout; there is a large cutthroat population as well. Trout size is reduced due to competing brown bullheads. Last Saturday in April through October 31 open season.
Lone Lake (92 acres): Occupying a broad meadow area 2-1/2 miles southwest of Langley on Whidbey Island, Lone Lake has a large WDFW access on the north shore. Trout fishing can vary widely from year-to-year due to cormorant predation, but is expected to be superb this year for catchable-size (8-10 inch) rainbow trout, plus very fat yearlings (12 inches) and some carry-overs (2+ pounds). Some catchables will be stocked after May 1st to avoid bird predation. Table quality of the trout is best in spring and fall when the water is cooler. This lake has also been selected to receive a bonus plant of large triploid rainbow trout (averaging 1-1/2 pounds apiece). These sterile fish can grow to trophy size if not harvested. Use large-fish methods here: salad shrimp bait, leech wet fly patterns, and large lures. A bloodworm pattern is often effective in February and early March. Open season is year-round.
Penn Cove: The beach located on the southwest shore of Penn Cove on Whidbey Island has been enhanced (by the Washington Department of Fisheries) with Pacific oysters. It is accessible by boat, with launches in Coupeville and at Penn Cove Park on the north shore.
Shellfish and Marine Fish: Good shrimp and crab fishing exists throughout Port Susan and Saratoga Pass. A year-round, non-commercial crab zone is available at the northern end of Camano Island. Popular Whidbey Island clam beaches include Freeland County Park, North Penn Cove, and the Naval Air Station's Maylor Point near Oak Harbor. Popular surf smelt dip net fishing beaches include Cavelaro's Beach County Park, southeast Penn Cove (Coupeville to Long Point), and Utsalady. Piers and docks for marine fishing can be found at Coronet Bay State Park dock, Coupeville pier, Kayak Point County Park pier, Keystone jetty, Langley city pier and Oak Harbor pier (Flintstone Park).
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Anderson Lake (68 acres): This lake 1-1/2 miles west of Chimacum is excellent-to-outstanding for rainbows averaging almost 12 inches, with some carry-overs in the 3-pound range. Open season is from the last Saturday in April through October 31. The last two months of the season are catch-and-release only, with selective gear rules in effect. Internal combustion engines are prohibited all year. A boat launch and good bank fishing access are available on state park land.
Clearwater River: Several boat and bank access sites along the Clearwater provide access to good salmon, steelhead and cutthroat fishing. Check the current fishing regulations pamphlet for seasons, open areas and daily limits.
Devil's Lake (12 acres): This small lake two miles south of Quilcene has good fishing for cutthroat up to 11 inches. Access is hike-in only. Open season from the last Saturday in April through October 31.
Hoh River: There are several boat and bank access sites along the Hoh and South Fork Hoh rivers. They provide access to good-to-excellent salmon and steelhead fishing. Check the current WDFW fishing regulations pamphlet and Olympic National Park fishing regulations for seasons, open areas and daily limits.
Horseshoe Lake (13 acres): Fishing should be good for rainbows in this small lake 3-1/2 miles southwest of Port Ludlow. Fish should average 9 to 11 inches. There is a one-fish daily limit with selective gear rules in effect. Open season is from the last Saturday in April through October 31.
Leland Lake (100 acres): Good fishing for rainbow trout up to a foot long, with good largemouth bass and bluegill fishing during the warm weather and good fall fishing for lunker rainbows. Located 4-1/2 miles north of Quilcene on Highway 101, Leland has a state access with two toilets. Year-round season.
Ludlow Lake (16 acres): This lake 4-1/2 miles west of Port Ludlow is good for rainbow trout and largemouth bass. It is stocked with 8- to 10-inch rainbows in the spring. Open season is from the last Saturday in April through October 31. Access is available only via Pope Resources private roads.
Mystery Bay State Park: The beach at this park on the west shore of Marrowstone Island has been enhanced (by the Washington Department of Fisheries) with Pacific oysters. There is a health closure between May 1 and October 31 each year.
Ocean beaches: Kalaloch Beach (in Olympic National Park) offers excellent razor clam and beach-combing opportunities in season. Call the WDFW Region 6 office at Montesano for more information about seasons.
Queets River: This river flows within the Olympic National Park and Quinault Indian Reservation. There are several boat and bank access sites along the river in the park. They provide access to good-to-excellent salmon and steelhead fishing. Check Olympic National Park fishing regulations for seasons, open areas and daily limits.
Tarboo Lake (24 acres): Tarboo is usually fair to good for 9- to 11-inch rainbow and cutthroat trout, with some larger carry-overs available. Located eight miles west of Port Ludlow, Tarboo has a state access with two toilets. Last Saturday in April through October 31 season.
