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May 29, 1998
Contact: Jim Byrd (360) 586-3104
Free fishing weekend offers fun and dinner
The June 6-7 weekend offers a great opportunity to try a fun, family-oriented
activity at little cost and maybe catch supper as well.
That opportunity is Free Fishing Weekend when no license is needed to fish or
gather shellfish in Washington. And, for the novice, volunteers will be present at several
"hotspot" fishing lakes to provide information and assistance in the quest for that big
trout or bass.
"This a great opportunity for moms and dads to introduce the kids to a new sport
while, hopefully, enjoying a picnic in the sun," said Bern Shanks, director of the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. "We also know that children introduced to
fishing at a young age tend to enjoy this wholesome and challenging sport for the rest
of their lives."
Shanks said trout have been planted in many state lakes to improve anglers'
chances on Free Fishing Weekend.
While no licenses are required for fishing, Shanks noted that other rules, such as
sizes and bag limits, remain in effect. Anglers cannot fish in closed waters during Free
Fishing Weekend. Anglers must have the appropriate license and catch record card if
fishing for steelhead. Free catch record cards are required for salmon, sturgeon and
halibut. The cards are available at WDFW offices and license dealers.
Detailed rules are contained in the 1998 Fishing In Washington regulation
pamphlet. It is available at most WDFW license dealers was well as department offices.
Here's a regional breakdown of "hotspot" lakes as well as telephone numbers
anglers can call for additional information:
Eastern Washington (509) 456-4082:
- Rainbow Lake (Columbia County)--Good bank fishing; extra planted
trout; kids' fishing activities
- West Evans Pond (Clarkston)--Planted with trout, kids' fishing activities
- West Medical Lake (near town of Medical Lake)--Good bank fishing;
extra trout planted
- Rainbow Lake (Columbia County)--Good bank fishing; extra planted
trout; kids' fishing activities
- Blue and Park Lakes (Grant County): Good public access and resorts;
excellent trout fishing
- Potholes Reservoir (Moses Lake): Plenty of boat and bank fishing plus
resorts and park camping; good fishing for trout, bass and walleye
- Rock Island Ponds (Douglas County): Excellent bank fishing for trout,
bass and bluegill
South-central Washington (509-575-2740):
- Clear Lake (Yakima County): Excellent bank access and fishing for trout
- Columbia Park Family Fishing Pond (Kennewick): Adults may fish only
when accompanied by a fishing child; good fishing for trout, bass and
other species
- Fio Rito lakes (Ellensburg): Good bank fishing for rainbow and brown
trout
- Railroad Pond (Franklin County): Good fishing for trout, steelhead,
sunfish and catfish
- Rotary Lake (Yakima): Fishing for rainbow and brown trout; bass also
are present
North Puget Sound (425-775-1311):
- Ballinger Lake (King/Snohomish counties): Fishing pier and other
amenities in a park with good stocks of trout, perch and bass
- Gissberg ponds (Snohomish County): Good bank fishing for trout, bass,
bluegill and other species
- Green Lake (Seattle): Good bank access and piers with fishing for trout,
bass, perch and catfish
- Silver Lake (Everett): Good bank fishing in a park for trout, bass and
perch
- Steel Lake (Auburn): Bank and boat fishing in a park; good stocks of
trout, bass and perch
Southwest Washington (360-696-6211):
- Sacajawea Lake (Longview): Bank and platform fishing for bass, perch,
sunfish as well as rainbow and brown trout
- Klineline Pond (Vancouver): Excellent bank fishing for trout and other
species
- Rowland lakes (Bingen): Good shore access for trout, bass and bluegill
fishing
South Puget Sound (360-249-4628):
- Capitol Lake (Olympia): Good bank fishing for trout
- Sylvia Lake (Montesano): Lots of amenities in this park with fishing for
trout, cutthroat and bass
- Kitsap Lake (Bremerton): Good public access fishing for trout, bass,
bluegill and catfish
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