LAKES, PONDS, and RESERVOIRS are open to fishing for Game Fish (except DOLLy VARDEN/BULL TROUT and GRASS CARP) year-round. RIVERS, STREAmS, and BEAVER PONDS are CLOSED to fishing unless listed as open.
Table of Contents
Is there good fly fishing in Washington State?
Washington fly fishing is some of the best in the US. What makes this state so alluring is the wide variety of options when it comes to places to fish. You’ve got both saltwater and freshwater options that come in the form of lakes, rivers, springs, creeks, and the ocean to explore.
Where is the best trout fishing in Washington?
- Castle Lake.
- Horseshoe Lake (Cowlitz County)
- Kress Lake.
- Lake Sacajawea.
- Merrill Lake.
- Silver Lake (Cowlitz County)
When can you fish for trout in Washington State?
Trout can be found in Washington lakes and rivers year-round, with fishing season usually beginning around April and ending in the fall. Common species include brook, brown, cutthroat, lake and rainbow trout.
Where is the best fishing in Washington State?
- Fish Lake, Leavenworth, WA. Fish Lake is one of the region’s most popular fishing spots, catch your quota of brook trout, rainbow trout and tiger trout.
- Lake Washington.
- Columbia River and Tributaries.
- Lake Roosevelt.
- Green Lake, Seattle, WA.
Where is the best fly fishing in Washington State?
- The Yakima River. Bigger isn’t always better, but for Washington’s longest river, it is.
- The Skagit River.
- The Hoh River.
- The Stillaguamish River.
- The Sauk River.
- The Skykomish River.
- The Bogachiel River.
- The Grande Ronde River.
Where can I find big trout in Washington state?
- Rock Lake.
- Bonaparte Lake.
- Omak Lake.
- Lake Chelan.
- Potholes Reservoir. If you’re looking to hook into huge trout without the crowds, then keep reading to find your next trout fishing hot spot.
What is the best time to go fishing in Washington State?
August 1st to September 15th and usually show up in ridiculously high numbers. A lot of nice fish are caught on cold winter days. November, December and January are usually the best months for these hungry juveniles.
What is the trout limit in Washington?
The daily trout limit is 5 trout, regardless of origin. 20-inch minimum length. No limit for all rivers, streams and beaver ponds.
What fishing season is it right now in Washington state?
Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs are open to fishing for game fish (except Dolly Varden/bull trout and grass carp) year-round. Rivers, streams and beaver ponds are open the Saturday before Memorial Day through October 31.
Do you need a fishing license for catch and release in Washington?
Residents and non-residents alike must have a license to fish or shellfish in Washington waters. Everyone age 15 and older needs a fishing license. You do not need a license if you are fishing for common carp, crawfish, bullfrogs, or collecting relic shells.
Are there sharks in the Puget Sound?
The Sixgill Shark is found all over the world including Puget Sound. They have been observed as deep as 6,000 feet but are commonly found around 300 feet. They are a rare sight in Puget Sound, so if you’re diving and you see one, don’t feel scared … feel lucky!
What is fishing like in Washington state?
Salmon fishing, shrimping and crabbing are all popular pass times throughout our Puget Sound, San Juan Island archipelago, and Hood Canal. You can even find good fishing a short drive from the city center! And the hinterlands of Puget Sound offer up miles of rivers and hundreds of lakes to fish.
Where can I fish for bull trout in Washington?
- Cooper Lake.
- Cooper Lake.
- Hanson – Lower Pond.
- Hanson – Upper Pond.
- Kachess Lake.
- Kachess Lake.
- Keechelus Lake.
- Keechelus Lake.
What lakes in Washington state have tiger trout?
- Aeneas Lake.
- Aspen Lake.
- Blue Lake.
- Blue Lake (Okanogan County)
- Bonaparte Lake.
- Conners Lake.
- Cougar Lake.
- Patterson Lake.
When can you fish for salmon in Washington?
Washington 2022 Pacific Ocean Salmon Fishing Seasons Season is set to open June 25 for seven days a week for Chinook and Hatchery Coho. In-river Buoy 10 area will open August 1 through August 24 for Hatchery Chinook and Coho, with a later season also scheduled September 8 to December 31 for Hatchery Coho.
What fish is Washington known for?
The official state fish of Washington is the steelhead trout, which is scientifically known as Salmo gairdnerii. The trout, which is extremely popular in the state among people who enjoy fishing, was designated as the state fish back in 1969.
Are there golden trout in Washington state?
Luckily for us anglers, they are also stocked in a few high mountain lakes here in Washington. The difficulty for anglers is that goldens are typically found only in lakes that are very difficult to access.
Are steelhead and rainbow trout the same?
Rainbow trout and steelhead are the same species, but they have different lifestyles. Steelhead are anadromous—meaning they spend part of their lives in the sea before going to rivers to breed—while rainbow trout spend their lives mostly or entirely in freshwater.
Can you keep wild salmon in Washington?
Daily limit 2. Only 1 Chinook may be retained. Release chum, wild coho, and wild Chinook. Season may close earlier if Chinook quota is attained.
What can I fish in Washington in February?
Winter fishing in Washington doesn’t get nearly the attention as spring, summer, or fall, but many lakes and reservoirs offer excellent wintertime fishing for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, yellow perch, walleye, burbot, crappie, and more during February and early March.
What’s the biggest fish ever caught in Washington state?
FISHING — A state record largemouth bass weighing 12.53 pounds was caught on Monday, Aug. 8, in Lake Bosworth south of Cedar Falls, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed today.
What is the best bait for rainbow trout?
Best Bait to Catch Rainbow Trout Worms. Live nymphs and minnows (best used in winter) Kernel corn and colored marshmallows (for hatchery fish) Salmon eggs.
What is the biggest trout ever caught?
Seumas Petrie is the world record holder, with a 44-pound, 5-inch brown trout that measured 38.58 inches long with a 34-inch girth. Petrie caught the trout in Twizel, New Zealand’s (South Island) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020.
Can you fish at night in Washington?
Yes it is legal to fish at night.