Trout fishing for lowland lakes is opening April 30th.  According to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the fish hatchery crews will finish stocking more than 20 million fish in Washington lakes before the season opener.

The last Saturday in April marks the traditional start of the lowland lake fishing season. Trout fishing is one of the biggest and most anticipated fisheries Western Washington has.
 
WDFW has stocked over 3.5 million fish in over 347 lakes since spring began.  There are 108 lakes with 50,000 triploid (sterile) trout averaging 1-1/2 pounds each.  172 lakes with 84,000 two-year-old "jumbo" and surplus hatchery brood stock rainbow trout which range from 1-1/2 to 5 pounds each have also been stocked. That does not count the kokanee, walleye, and bass plants!

Last year WDFW planted over 6 million trout fry in 474 lakes.  Those fry should now be 8- to 12-inch catchable size fish this year.

So are you ready for the opener?  First off you need a license.  Washington fishing license expired April 1st.  So you need to get to a location and purchase a license or buy one online.  Children 14 years of age and younger do not need a fishing license.

Next you need to a good rod and reel.  For fishing trout we use ultra-light rods with matched reels.  We spool our reels with green 6 – 8 lb. Izorline XXX Copolymer.

There are several ways to fish for trout.  I suggest you give Dick Nite Spoons a try.  I really like to fish for trout using Dick Nite Spoons. 

Trolling Dick Nite Spoons is very effective for trout in water of all depths.  When trolling in shallow water, tie a #10 or #12 barrel swivel on the end of your main line. Tie on a 3 – 5 foot leader with the Dick Nite Spoon tied directly to the leader.  Do not use a snap swivel to attach the spoon.  This adds weight to the spoon.  It is important that the spoon wobble properly. 

Your trolling speed should vary. But make sure you do not go too fast.  Do not allow your Dick Nite Spoon to roll or spin.  Dick Nite Spoons are designed to wobble and are most effective when they wobble properly.  The weight of your fishing line and the weight of the spoon will put your lure just under the surface of the water.
 
When I troll at deeper depths I use a jet diver to get the Dick Nite Spoon to the correct depth.  Jet Divers are made by Luhr Jensen and come in varied depth models; 10ft, 20 ft, 30 foot, etc. 

Based on the lakes I fish for trout I usually stick with the 10 or 20 foot model.  Slide on a sinker slider to the mainline.  Then slide on a 4mm bead.  Tie a #10 barrel swivel to the tag end of the mainline.  The 4mm bead protects the knot on the barrel swivel from the sinker slider. 

Now tie on a 4 foot leader.  Use 4 – 6 lb leader material.  Tie your Dick Nite Spoon to the Leader.  You are almost setup.  You need to add your jet diver to the setup.  Using 10 – 12 lb monofilament, make a 10 – 12 inch dropper.  Put the jet diver onto on end of the dropper and affix the other end to your jet diver.  The heavier mono line for the dropper will keep the jet diver from wrapping around your mainline. 

Again, you need to adjust your trolling speed to keep the jet diver in the proper depth range and to allow the spoon to wobble.
 
Dick Nite Spoons come in three sizes.  #0, #1, and #2.  The #0 is the smallest.  I use #1 and #2 for trout on most Washington Lakes.  Many anglers think they should use the #0 for trout and the #2 for salmon and steelhead.  Actually it is reversed.  I suggest using a #1 or #2 for trout.  I fish the #1 for salmon and steelhead regularly.  Sometimes I will use the #0 for salmon as well.  But the #2 is really good for trout.  I also think you get some of your larger trout on the #2. 

As far as color, you have a wide choice of colors with Dick Nite Spoons.  Dick Nite spoons have over 75 colors to choose from.  Including sizes, there are over 250 size and color combinations. Also, do not be afraid to put a light film of scent on the spoon.  Try Dick Nite DNA-3 Trout formula or the DNA-4 Kokanee formula.
 
Ridge to River Outdoors has parent child trips available for trout.  Give us a call to learn more.