Fish on! Mild winter lures anglers for March 1 opener
Several Grant County lakes stocked with trout, says WDFW.
SPOKANE — More than two dozen lowland lakes in eastern Washington — including several in Grant County — opened to fishing on March 1, announced the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“We’ve had a mild winter, and early March can be a great time for lake fishing opportunities,” said Steve Caromile, WDFW’s statewide inland fish program manager. “As the days become longer, these early spring fisheries are a good way to start the season.”
In addition to stocked rainbow trout, many of the now-open lakes offer excellent late-winter fishing opportunities for bass, yellow perch, burbot, cutthroat trout, brown trout, crappie, walleye, and bluegill, the department said in a recent press release.
In Grant County, WDFW has stocked rainbow trout in several lakes. Martha and Upper Caliche lakes each received rainbow trout fingerlings in March 2025 and an additional plant of catchable-sized trout last October. These fish are expected to average 13 to 14 inches by opening day, with some reaching 20 inches. These lakes will also be stocked with additional catchable trout sometime this month, the department reported.
WDFW also stocked Quincy and Burke lakes with more than 21,000 trout fingerlings in spring 2025 and an additional 1,500 catchable-size rainbow trout last month. Last year's fingerling plants are expected to be 10 to 12 inches, with some larger carryover fish in the 13- to 15-inch range.
Additional Grant County lakes that opened March 1 include Cliff, Crystal, Cup, Lower Spring, and Upper Spring lakes, each stocked with fingerling rainbow trout in March 2025. These lakes can produce trout in the 12- to 14-inch range, with some fish growing larger. Lenice, Nunnally, Dry Falls, and Dusty lakes are also part Sunday’s early spring opening.
Just north of Soap Lake, Lake Lenore is one of six lakes in Washington where anglers can catch lunker Lahontan cutthroat trout. Be sure to check selective gear rules in effect at Lenore.
In Columbia County, the five Tucannon River off-channel lakes — Blue, Deer, Rainbow, Spring, and Watson —are stocked with rainbow trout weighing up to 1.5 pounds. Fish Hook Pond in Walla Walla County is open year-round.
In Spokane County, Liberty Lake opens March 1 and received 4,000 catchable-size rainbow trout and 350 jumbo rainbow trout in 2026. Trout at Liberty Lake can range from 12 to 16 inches. Amber and Medical lakes also open March 1; both lakes are managed under selective gear rules and are expected to fish well this spring.
In Lincoln County, Coffeepot Lake opens March 1 and is scheduled to receive 5,000 put-grow-take rainbow trout in spring 2026.
Downs Lake, located on the Lincoln-Spokane County line, typically opens on March 1, but it is not accessible to the public this season. Access to the lake is limited to a privately-owned resort that is currently closed. No fish were stocked in 2026, and stocking will not resume until public access is available. WDFW is working to restore public access.
In Whitman County, Pampa Pond opens March 1 for rainbow trout fishing.
In south-central Washington, many lakes in Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, and Yakima counties are open year-round, and WDFW typically begins stocking catchable trout during the first week of March.
Weekly trout stocking reports are posted on the fish stocking webpage. Anglers also can visit WDFW’s lowland lakes webpage to search by lake, county, or species for fishing information.
Fishing licenses can be purchased from licensed dealers across the state or on the new MyWDFW or Fish Washington® mobile apps. Check the Washington Sport Fishing Rules for details on regulations.
Parking at WDFW-managed areas requires a vehicle access pass provided with an annual fishing license, or a state Discover Pass, which anglers need at state Parks or Department of Natural Resources lands.
