More triploid trout stocked in fishing lakes this month

OLYMPIA - Washington anglers will have more opportunities to catch big fish after the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) stocks more triploid rainbow trout in fishing lakes this month.

A total of 12,460 1.5-pound triploids will be planted in 32 lakes in the south central, north Puget Sound, and coastal regions of the state. Last month, prior to the April 29 lowland lakes fishing season opener, 48,243 triploids were stocked in 79 lakes across Washington.

Averaging 1.5 pounds each, the trout are called "triploids" because they have three sets of chromosomes instead of the normal two, making them sterile. It also makes the fish voracious feeders with the potential to grow to trophy size.

"This last round of triploid plants will give anglers a chance to catch some large trout over the next few weeks," said Jon Anderson, WDFW resident trout manager.

Anderson noted that this month's stocking schedule is slightly altered from the pre-season plan. Because Clear Lake in Yakima County wasn't accessible until late last month, WDFW is waiting until late May to stock the lake with triploids, Anderson said.

WDFW also re-allocated triploids from Pierce County's Wapato Lake to Spanaway Lake in Pierce County and Long's Pond in Thurston County because of severe water quality problems at Wapato, Anderson said. The county health department has posted signs warning people to not swim, fish, or eat fish from Wapato Lake, he said.

The May triploid stocking schedule follows:

The complete triploid stocking plan can be found on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/triploid/index.htm .