Anglers enjoy sun, success in WA lowland lakes fishing opener
WDFW Trout Derby also got underway on opening day.
EPHRATA — Sunny skies greeted many anglers in Grant County and across the state this past weekend for the lowland lakes fishing opener in Washington.
“We had another great lowland lake opener,” said Steve Caromile, inland fish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, in an online post. “The weather was beautiful across most of the state and there were happy anglers too.”
“Overall, it seemed like catch rates were pretty good, and there were a lot of happy people out spending time with their friends and family,” Caromile said. “As an added bonus to the great weather, I’m hearing plenty of reports of tagged Trout Derby fish being caught.”
The 2026 statewide overall average was 3.6 fish per angler caught and/or released (2.1 in 2025 and 2024) while the “trout kept” average was 1.9 per angler – a bit lower than averages of 2.3 in 2025 and 2.1 in 2024 -- at the 67 lakes surveyed by WDFW staff.
In Grant County, the department’s survey numbers were:
— Blue Lake: 17 anglers were checked (count at 8 a.m. was 90 anglers and 160 at 12 p.m.) with 41 trout kept for 2.41 kept per angler;
— Park Lake: 19 anglers were checked (count at 8 a.m. was 117 anglers and 166 at 12 p.m.) with 68 trout kept and two released for 3.58 kept per angler;
— Deep Lake: 51 anglers were checked (count at 8 a.m. was 61 anglers and 81 at 12 p.m.) with 129 trout kept and 39 released for 2.53 kept per angler;
— Warden Lake: 40 anglers were checked (count at 8 a.m. was 65 anglers and 47 at 12 p.m.) with 136 trout kept and 111 released for 3.40 kept per angler.
At Jameson Lake in Douglas County, 28 anglers were checked (count at 8 a.m. was 175 anglers and 150 at 12 p.m.) with 80 trout kept for 2.86 kept per angler.
Catch samplers at some lakes reported several larger “carryover” rainbow trout mixed into the catches.
WDFW says it will continue to do additional trout stocking in the weeks ahead and should boost fishing opportunities throughout spring and early summer. Information can be found on the 2026 WDFW stocking plan webpage.
WDFW Trout Derby sees prizes claimed on opener
The department’s annual Trout Derby also got underway on opening day and continues through Oct. 31 with more than 100 stocked lakes statewide.
“It has been very popular over the past 11 years,” Caromile said. “The generosity of our license vendors and donors is what makes the trout derby a huge success, and something many anglers look forward to.”
Anglers lucky enough to catch a prize-winning trout – identified by a green tag inserted near the dorsal fin -- can visit the WDFW Trout Derby webpage, enter their tag number, and learn their reward. The site also has a link which lists statewide lakes containing tagged trout.
More than 60 businesses across Washington are offering an estimated 900 prizes valued around $43,000. Through Monday, April 27, 137 derby prizes had been claimed.
The derby is open to anyone with a valid 2026–27 fishing license (children under 15 fish for free), and a temporary license may be used. No entry fee or registration is required.
Anglers can also participate in the WDFW photo contest during the first week of the Trout Derby on Instagram by using the hashtag #watroutderby.
