THE RELEASE OF the state Fish and Wildlife Department’s 2019 Hatchery Trout and Kokanee Stocking Plan offers up a solid excuse to plan a fishing trip.
It details the agency’s plans to release 2.17 million catchables and 126,200 jumbos this year, in addition to 14 million fingerlings and other fish planted last year to grow and become large enough for anglers to catch and keep later this season and in 2020-21 and beyond.
Anglers can cast for catchable trout that have been reared at Fish and Wildlife facilities and average around 11 inches in length and are 2 to 2 ½ fish per pound in size.
Jumbos weigh more than 1 pound apiece.
No triploid trout will be stocked again this year. Fish and Wildlife is no longer purchasing the hungry triploids from an outside vendor after budget cuts in 2017.
Clallam/Jefferson plants
Clallam County trout plants will benefit kids fishing derbies set for next month in Port Angeles and Sequim and in May in Forks.
The Lincoln Park Pond in Port Angeles will be stocked with 1,500 catchable rainbows and 50 jumbos before the annual Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday, April 6.
A plant of 2,625 catchable rainbows will be stocked in Carrie Blake Park in Sequim before the Sequim Kid’s Fishing Derby on Saturday, April 13. Another 610 jumbo rainbows will be planted in April, October and November.
The Bogachiel Hatchery South Pond in Forks will receive a plant of 7,600 rainbow trout before opening day and another in May.
The hatchery rearing poind will be stocked with 3,400 fish before the annual Kids’ Fishing Day in Forks on Sunday, May 5.
A total of 6,000 catchables will be planted in 99.3 acre-Lake Leland near Quilcene this month and again in May. In addition, 150 jumbo cutthroat will be released in the lake this month.
A 2,000 strong release of jumbo rainbows will be released in October in Lake Leland.
Anderson Lake near Chimacum received 2,560 catchables March 1, and 1,200 jumbos in November.
Sandy Shore Lake off of state Highway 104 will receive 3,000 catchable rainbows in April and May, along with 40 jumbo rainbows. Another 1,400 fry/fingerlings were released last October.
Silent Lake on the Coyle Peninsula will receive 800 catchable rainbows in April. The lake was planted with 1,400 fry/fingerling rainbows last October.
Tarboo Lake between Chimacum and Quilcene will get 1,600 catchable rainbows in April/May and 50 jumbos in April.
Teal Lake near Port Ludlow was planted with 300 jumbo rainbows on Tuesday. A plant of 50 cutthroat trout also are planned this month. Another 150 jumbo rainbows is planned for October.
Horsehoe Lake, a 13-acre body of water off of state Highway 104, will be stocked with 250 jumbo rainbows this month and 650 rainbow catchables in May.
License reminder
All fishing and shellfish licenses will expire at midnight Sunday. A new license will be needed beginning Monday to continue fishing or harvesting shellfish.
For more information on liceneses, or to purchase a license, visit wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing/types-fees.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
