Lowland lakes preparing for trout fishing

The first trout stockings of the Washington lowland lakes trout season have begun, with three lakes in Vancouver’s backyard already well stocked. Lakes in Southwest Washington are set to receive well over 130,000 trout, mostly catchable rainbows. There will also be jumbo trout in the mix, as well as trophy brood trout. Trout fishing is incredibly popular and these stockings attract a lot of anglers. These are easy fisheries and less expensive than chasing salmon. Fishers can usually expect plenty of company, but the fishing can be so good it is hard to say no to the opportunity. The stockings will run from now through May, although the stocking schedule can at times be changed. However, that rarely happens, according to Britton Ransford, a communications specialist for the WDFW. “We do not expect weather or water conditions to affect this year’s fish stocking schedule,” reported Ransford in an email. “However, schedules are flexible and may be adjusted if extreme temperatures, flooding, or other circumstances could affect fish health, transportation, or the safety of fish and staff during stocking operations.” Ransford also reported that the stockings this year will be basically the same as last year. However, the fall plantings of cutthroat trout into many of these lakes has been discontinued. The two most popular lakes in the Vancouver area have already been stocked. Battle Ground Lake: The lake was stocked with 1,000 catchable rainbows at 2.6 per pound on Oct. 26. It was also stocked on Oct. 27 with 1,080 catchable rainbows at 2.6 per pound. Over the course of the stocking season, it will receive 30,000 catchable rainbows. Evan Seidl, the Battle Ground Area Manager for Washington State Parks, said that fishing effort has been somewhat light so far. “It’s been pretty light visitation on the weekdays,” said Seidl, “but on the weekends it has been pretty good.” He noted that typically the anglers look to start their fishing a little later. “It seems most people shoot for that Thanksgiving weekend,” he said. “That is the traditional opener, and these early stockings are a bit under the radar.” Once the stockings increase, the fishing pressure does too. “Definitely when we are seeing larger numbers of stockings, or larger per pound stockings, then we see a lot of people coming out,” he said. He added that most anglers are fishing bait, mostly Powerbait, a floating dough bait, although a few anglers will toss spinners. The best ways to fish the lake are by fishing from a boat, or from the fishing dock. The lake has a nice boat launch, and electric motors are allowed, but no gas motors. “We are set up for a good season, and will hopefully see a lot of people out having a good time,” added Seidl. The lake will also be stocked with 2,100 jumbo trout for the Black Friday fishery. Klineline Pond: This lake located in the Salmon Creek Park was stocked with 2,000 catchable rainbows at 2.6 per pound on Oct. 26. The small lake offers a number of fishing docks and platforms, and there is a sandy beach, playground equipment and bathrooms. This is an excellent choice for families with small children. Most anglers here fish the dough baits, such as Berkly’s Powerbait. Other baits are often used, including salmon eggs, shrimp and worms. A few fish are caught on lures or flies, but bait fishing dominates the catch. Over the course of the season, the lake will be stocked with 32,000 catchable rainbows. The lake will also be stocked with 2,100 jumbo trout for the Black Friday fishery Lacamas Lake: The lake was stocked with 4,000 catchable rainbows at 2.6 per pound on Oct. 27. There will be a total of 10,500 trout stocked here during the season. This is a much larger lake, with a boat launch, and several park areas around the shoreline, as well as private homes. The trout here will often take spinners or other lures, but bait is still what most anglers will employ. Other lakes near Vancouver will also be stocked as the season progresses. Icehouse Lake: Over the stocking season, this small lake located in Skamania County at the Washington end of the Bridge of the Gods near Stevenson will be planted with 7,500 catchable rainbows, as well as 30 trophy-sized brood trout. This is mostly a bank fishing show, and there are lots of places for anglers to fish, mostly along the southern back. This lake is very popular with families, since it is a great place to introduce kids of all ages to fishing. While most anglers fish bait along the bottom, mostly Powerbait, a lot of anglers here fish bait below a bobber, or toss spinners, which can work better than bait when the fish are first planted. Little Ash Lake: This small lake is about three miles east of Icehouse Lake along state Highway 14. Smaller than Icehouse and definitely less crowded, the lake will be planted with 5,000 catchable rainbows and 30 to 60 trophy-sized brood trout over the course of the season. Klickitat County In Klickitat County, three lakes will be stocked with catchable rainbows. These include Maryhill Pond, which will receive 1,000 catchable rainbows as well as 150 jumbo trout. Spearfish Lake will be planted with 13,000 catchable rainbows and 100 jumbo trout. Rowland Lake: This is the most popular lake in Klickitat County. It is situated 1.7 miles east of the Coyote Wall Trailhead on state Route 14. It will receive 18,000 catchables, as well as 2,275 jumbo trout. Those larger fish will be stocked ahead of Black Friday, and this fishery gets a lot of attention when that happens. The lowland lakes trout season is long and offers plenty of opportunity for fun and light-hearted fishing. It is a great way for families to spend time outdoors and the eventual reward is tasty trout for the table.

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