Two Hundred Thousand Trout In Lakes Near You Are!

0 Shares

 

.: All Star Ford :.

 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has stocked nearly 3 million catchable size trout in lakes throughout Washington State, and more than 200,000 of those trout are in lakes right here in Thurston County!  WDFW reports that even the smallest of those fish average 11–13 inches long.  That’s 2–3 inches longer than fish stocked last year, so it should be a great season.  Opening day is right around the corner on Saturday, April 28th.  Where will you be dropping a line?

Before you head out, be sure to pick up WDFW’s annual “Fishing In Washington” sport fishing rules pamphlet, available at local sporting goods dealers or on-line, and be sure you have the proper licenses.  Youth, age 14 and under do not need a license to fish for trout, and a variety of options are available for anyone 15 and older.  If you don’t mind waiting a while, June 9th and 10th is free fishing weekend in Washington, and anyone can fish for free.   See the regulations pamphlet for details.

My top pick for easy access, and a good shot at lots of trout is Offut Lake, located south of the Olympia Airport on Old Hwy 99.  The lake has already been planted with more than 6,000 eleven to thirteen inch trout, and 4,500 trout that were ½ to 1¼ pounds at the time of release.  To reach the public boat launch, drive 4.4 miles south of the airport on Old Hwy 99, turn east on Waldrick Rd 1.4 miles, then south on Walona Street .2 miles to the access area.

If you don’t have your own boat, check out Offut Lake Resort (www.offutlakeresort.com or 360-264-2438) for many options to hook into some fish.  Becky and Rob Pogue of Offut Lake Resort say that they’ll be releasing an additional 5,000 catchable size trout before opening day.  These trout, provided by WDFW, have been raised by the Pogue’s in net pens on the docks at the resort.  Offut Lake Resort offers boat rentals, dock fishing for a small fee, cabin rentals, and camp sites.  Bait and tackle, as well as pole rental are available at their General Store.  They will host an opening weekend derby April 27-29.  The derby is open to all resort guests fishing from their dock, renting a boat, or staying in a cabin or camp site for a registration fee of $1 per day.  Rob Pogue says, “It’s always a fun weekend, and the kids always seem to catch the biggest fish.  The kids almost always win some sort of prize.”  Offut Lake is one of the Thurston County lakes that are open year round, so you can get out fishing before opening day on the 28th.  Check in at the General Store for advice on what bait or lures are catching the most and biggest fish.

If you want to get the kids out fishing, and don’t mind just watching them reel in the fish, my recommendation is Long’s Pond right in the middle of Lacey.  Long’s pond is located at Woodland Creek Community Park, 6729 Pacific Avenue SE.  This is a juvenile only (14 years old and younger) fishing lake with plenty of open shoreline for bank fishing.  More than 7,000 trout have been planted in this 10 acre fishing hole!  That’s more than eight times the stalking density of any other WDFW stocked lake in the county!  If they’re lucky, the kids might hook into one of the nearly 300 pound-and-a-half rainbow trout recently released here.  Try casting a worm under a bobber or Power Bait with a slip sinker and you’ll likely be having trout for dinner.  A bonus to Long’s Pond is that it’s open year round, so you don’t even have to wait for the April 28th opener.

Summit Lake received a planting of 26,000 eleven to thirteen inch trout and 1,200 “jumbo” trout.  Jumbo trout are fish that WDFW hatcheries raise to be 1-2 pounds at release.  Power Bait is always a good choice to entice these big hatchery rainbows.  To reach the public access, drive west from Olympia on Hwy 8 to Summit lake Rd, north 1.9 miles on Summit Lake Rd, then east .4 miles on Summit Lake Short Rd to the boat launch on the left.  There is a small area here available for bank fishing, but the area can get very busy with boat launch traffic.

Ward Lake is a 67 acre lake just 3 miles SE of Olympia that has been planted with more than 6,000 trout.  Nearly 1,000 of these fish are in the 1-2 pound range.  To reach the public boat launch, from Yelm Hwy, approximately 3 miles SE of Olympia, turn north on Boulevard Rd and drive approximately .4 miles, then turn west onto 42nd Ave SE and drive .3 miles to the boat launch.

For more Thurston County lake access information visit the WDFW web site at www.wdfw.wa.gov/.  Click on “Fishing” then on “Water Access Sites”.  A vehicle access pass is required at all WDFW water access sites, and is issued free with the purchase of a fishing license.  Another useful website for locating information about local fishing lakes is www.gotmyfishon.com.

Wherever you choose to fish, have fun and enjoy being outside.  You will often have the opportunity to view wildlife and beautiful scenery.  If you’re fishing with the kids, be especially sure that they’re wearing life jackets.  Take the time to pick up your trash, and maybe even the trash that someone else has left behind.  Get out there and enjoy Thurston County!

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
0 Shares