April 30, 2026 8:02 am
News, Sports 
Jeff Otto of Sandy, Ore., casts for trout in Goose Lake. In addition to the 2026 spring trout fishing opener, April 25 is the start of the statewide trout derby in Washington. Anglers catching tagged trout will win prizes. (Terry Otto for The Columbian)
A fine limit of rainbow trout taken a few years ago during a spring trip to Goose Lake in Skamania County. April 25 is the 2026 spring trout opener across Washington state. (Terry Otto for The Columbian)
Michael and Sebastion Hass proudly show off a limit of spring trout taken in 2025 during the trout opener at Rowland Lake. (Photo courtesy Michael Hass)
Along with the many fingerlings and catchable trout that were stocked out ahead of the April 25, 2026 opener, there have also been some trophy sized brood rainbows stocked, such as this 6-pounder taken in Icehouse Lake. (Terry Otto for The Columbian)
The spring trout opener across Washington is Saturday, and thousands of anglers will gather at local lakes to try their hand at catching some of the millions of trout stocked out by the state of Washington.
It is also the first day of the WDFW statewide Trout Derby, now in its 11th year.
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