Lakes in Thurston, Kitsap counties planted with thousands of jumbo trout

OLYMPIA - Jumbo rainbow trout are being planted in lakes in Thurston and Kitsap counties to boost fishing opportunities this fall and winter, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

WDFW hatchery crews are planting a total of 10,000 rainbow trout - each weighing nearly ¾ of a pound - into Black and Offutt lakes in Thurston County, and Kitsap Lake in Kitsap County.

Crews are expected to finish stocking the lakes, which are open year-round, with jumbo trout early next week, said Larry Phillips, WDFW fisheries biologist. The trout were raised at WDFW's Lakewood Hatchery.

"These fish will provide anglers a great fall and winter trout fishing opportunity," said Phillips.

Information on when and where fish are stocked in area lakes is available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/plants/weekly/ and complete fishing regulations can be found at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/.

All anglers 15 years of age and older are required to have a valid fishing license. Licenses can be purchased on the Internet (https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/), by telephone (1-866-246-9453), or at hundreds of license dealers across the state (listed on the WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/).