Introduction...

Washington offers good-to-excellent marine fishing and shellfishing along more than 500 miles of Pacific coast shoreline, and over 2,000 combined miles of Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Hood Canal shoreline. Sportfishing opportunities also abound in our 4,000 rivers and streams (stretching over 50,000 miles), more than 7,000 lakes (over 2,500 at alpine elevations) and 208 reservoirs.

Many lakes in the state are now open year-round, but the spring lake fishing "opener" on the last Saturday in April signals the traditional start of Washington's most intense fishing activity. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials estimate that more than one-half million anglers are out looking for a bite that weekend alone. Other waters are managed in seasons that open September 1 or December 1 and run through March 31.

To meet the fishing demand, WDFW hatcheries stock nearly ten million trout fry that will grow up in time for the spring opener. About one-half million pounds of catchable-size trout are also planted in lakes in late winter through spring. For a list of the lakes that are planted with "catchables," along with their scheduled allotments of fish, contact the department and ask for a copy of the Lowland Lakes Spring Trout Stocking Plan. Phone numbers and addresses are listed on the inside front cover. This publication will also be posted on the department's web site.

In addition, a number of lakes throughout the state will receive "bonus" plants of sterile triploid rainbow trout that can grow to impressive size. See the section titled Triploid Trout Program below for more information.

Rivers and streams generally open June 1, after trout have had a chance to spawn and most anadromous salmonid smolts (juvenile salmon, steelhead, sea-run cutthroat and char) have migrated to salt water. Most rivers and streams are managed to produce wild trout, salmon and steelhead. Consequently, few are stocked with hatchery-reared trout.

Open seasons for marine fish, anadromous fish and shellfish vary according to species, and sometimes are set or adjusted during the year. Some rules and seasons may seem complex or restrictive, but are necessary to protect fragile populations of animals (and in the case of shellfish, to protect people).

In addition to more publicized fish planting programs, the department operates stocking programs designed to enhance fishing opportunities for species such as clams and oysters. For more information about shellfish, including where to gather them, the department offers a brochure called Shellfish of Washington. Several agencies, including WDFW, the state departments of Natural Resources, Parks, Ecology and Health, plus the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, have a jointly-produced pamphlet titled Puget Sound Public Shellfish Sites. Shellfish beaches and regulations are also listed on the department's web site.

Winter storms sometimes have a negative impact on fisheries. Excess silt coupled with strong stream flows can present serious problems for egg and juvenile fish survival, and excess turbidity hurts survival and growth of fry. Road washouts can make access to many lakes and streams difficult. This past winter was relatively mild, however, and no storm impacts are expected. In fact, lack of rain and snow may make access to some waters difficult this summer, and could also have negative effects on egg and juvenile salmonid survival.

Here are some fishing highlights for Year 2001:

Many Columbia Basin and southeast Washington lakes offer good trout fishing from March 1 through July 31.

• Even though many lakes are open year-round and are planted as early as mid-March, they don't get much angling pressure until the traditional "opener" near the end of April. Anglers are missing a good bet for some early-season trout success in early and middle April.
• Planted trout tend to remain in the top 3-5 feet of water for up to a week after planting. Anglers can improve their success rate by shallow-trolling small lures or bait hookups during this period.
• Trout fishing, especially for rainbows in lowland lakes, is usually best in spring and fall when water temperatures are low.

• Larger, deeper lakes can be good for trout all year.

• June and July are usually best for kokanee (non-anadromous sockeye salmon).

• Many Alpine or high elevation lakes are stocked with cutthroat, rainbow and golden trout between June and October. A few lakes have naturally-producing populations, while some are purposely left barren. Introduced lake trout, brown trout and eastern brook trout add diversity to the program. Stocked fry generally reach harvestable size in a year or two, depending on lake richness. The shorter high lake growing season limits the size and quantity of the catch.

• As temperatures rise, warmwater species like bass, crappie, and catfish become better targets.

• Walleye fishing in Columbia River reservoirs is mostly a year-round opportunity, with most trophy-class fish caught in late winter and early spring.
• Mountain whitefish are popular stream catches in winter when they school to spawn. Some streams have special "whitefish-only" winter seasons.

• Angling opportunities for anadromous fish such as steelhead, salmon and shad vary widely according to area, time of year, and status of the particular run or species. Due to the weak condition of some steelhead and salmon runs, and the resultant ESA listings, both marine and inland fishing for these species may be restricted. Check the updated regulations pamphlet, check the department's web site, or call your nearest WDFW office for details. Office phone numbers are listed on the inside front cover. Also watch for emergency regulation changes announced through the news media.

• The fishery for eulachon has been restricted or closed on the Columbia and its Washington tributaries in recent years for conservation reasons. The 2000 return showed improvement, allowing a limited fishery on the Cowlitz River. The 2001 return is shaping up as the largest in over a decade, with additional dipping on the Cowlitz as well as other lower Columbia tributaries. Future fishing opportunities depend on annual smelt abundance. North coast and Puget Sound fisheries for other smelts, such as surf and longfin, also vary with the runs.
• Mid-Columbia spring chinook returns are expected to be the best since Bonneville Dam's construction in 1938. Record returns are predicted for Wind River.
• Shad runs in the lower Columbia River peak in late May through early July, with up to three million shad passing Bonneville Dam annually. Large runs and little pressure on this hard-fighting, non-native fish make chances of success high.

• Sturgeon fishing in the Columbia River is growing more popular, requiring more restrictive measures to protect its future. Harvest quotas are often reached, and published regulations are changed during the season. Check the WDFW fishing hotline at (360) 902-2500 or the nearest regional office for the latest information. From August 16 through September 15, the Columbia downstream from Bonneville Dam is expected to be catch-and-release only.

• To protect some populations of lingcod and halibut, open seasons for these species vary among the 13 marine areas, so be sure to check the regulations pamphlet for the area you plan to fish. Other marine bottomfish, including rockfish, surf perch and Pacific cod, are generally available year-round. Again, check the regulations pamphlet for special closures and seasons in some areas to protect species such as cabezon, sturgeon and wolf eel.

• Shellfish, such as oysters, clams, shrimp and crab, are in their prime in the spring during daytime low tides on Puget Sound and Hood Canal beaches. "Red tides" of naturally-occurring marine toxins make some shellfish inedible, so there may be emergency closures of some beaches. Check the shellfish hotline, 1-800-562-5632, for current information.

Whatever your kind of fishing, remember that many factors influence how good it will be on any given day. Both air and water temperatures, water levels, wind, natural predation, food availability, and the balance of species in a waterway can change widely, even within a single season. Check the listings that follow, by sportfish species and by county waters, for where and when best fishing can usually be expected.