by Joan Pringle
The fishing season opened to an improved average catch rate and some bigger fish at Washington lowland lakes April 25, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Lake Erie on Fidalgo Island was listed as one of the top 10 lakes for angler success in the state. About 60 fishermen, women and children caught 287 trout at the lake, making an average of 4.78 fish per angler, according to WDFW biologists.
The numbers at Heart Lake were slightly lower with 52 anglers catching 192 trout for an average of 3.69 per angler.
WDFW staff and volunteers reported checking 5,410 anglers with 12,497 trout from 121 lakes statewide. Anglers checked statewide averaged 2.3 trout per fisherman at lakes with a five-trout daily catch limit.
Hatchery stocking will continue throughout the state, said WDFW fish biologist Jon Anderson.
“With the season on most opening-day waters running through September or October, there will be plenty of fish to catch,” he said.
