Bigger trout will greet 300,000 anglers expected out for opening day
Apr 27, 2012, 10:16 AM | Updated: 12:39 pm
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Department expects more than 300,000 anglers to go fishing Saturday on opening day of the lowland lakes trout fishing season.
The opening of hundreds of lakes across the state is the biggest outdoor sport opener of the year, and this year it’s got something even bigger to offer.
According to WDFW, the fish are two to three inches bigger than last year.
“With these fish, our state’s biggest fishing day of the year just got better,” said WDFW Director Phil Anderson.
The department has stocked lakes with three million hatchery-reared trout, averaging about a foot long.
“We invested in more hatchery feed to grow our fish larger,” said Chris Donley, the department’s Inland Fish Program Manager. “We hope anglers see the increase in the quality of our catchable trout on opening day.”
Those that want to take a shot at the trout will have to have a valid Washington freshwater fishing license.
Licenses can be purchased online, by calling 1-866-246-9453, or at licensing locations around the state.
By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
