by Mike Carey, December 03, 2014

This year WDFW lost a significant case regarding steelhead hatcheries and plants of early winter hatchery smolt in various Washington Rivers. Because of this court ruling, over 340,000 steelhead smolt that were to be planted in our rivers were instead planted in various lakes throughout Washington. WDFW decided to rear these smolt to catchable size fish. What became a loss of opportunity for river anglers became a gift out of nowhere for lake anglers. Several lakes have had their limits bumped up to ten fish, in one case a lake that had been selective catch and release only (Rattlesnake) was opened for retention. These steelhead won’t be around for long, as angling pressure thins the numbers, and bird predators takes care of the rest.

Chris Donley, WDFW’s Inland Fish Program Manager, said he expects angling to be great throughout the fall and winter months at all of these lakes. "Most of the trout are 11 to 13 inches long, with a few larger ones in the mix”.

The full WDFW Press Release can be found here:

Planting Bonus Steelhead

The specific list of lakes that have the bonus ten fish limit can be found here:

Ten Fish Limit Lakes

One lake that we have been receiving a lot of fishing reports for and has been holding up well to the pressure is King County’s Green Lake. Green was planted with 70,500 fish (yes, you read that right!) and the bonus ten fish limit will be in effect until February 13, 2015. So let’s take a little closer look at this urban fishery in the heart of Seattle.

Green Lake is 255 acres with a maximum depth of 30 feet. It was dug out by the Vashon Glacier 50,000 years ago (the same one that created Lake Washington). It is surrounded by a 2.8 mile walking trail, and has virtually unlimited access around the entire shoreline. The lake allows no gas motors and has no boat launch for trailers, hand carried boats are allowed. There are public fishing piers as well; the best known is in the northeast corner at the Community Center. The lake holds several other species of fish besides the planted steelhead, including largemouth bass, bluegill, perch, catfish, and carp. In the past the lake was even planted with muskies to try to control the carp. The muskies are long gone, but the carp remain.

As to fishing techniques for these domestic steelhead, our readers are reporting good success with spinners and artificial gear. Small spinners in sizes 0,1 and 2 will work, as will small spoons and thin blade spoons like Dick Nites.

The ever popular powerbait on the bottom with a slip rig set up will catch you fish as well. The east side of the lake holds the deeper water locations and can be expected to be a better bet for fishing, but certainly there will be fish to be had all around the lake. Let’s face it, 70,500 fish have no place to hide on this lake! That said, if you have a float tube or small craft getting away from the shore will allow you to explore and catch fish with at least some level of privacy, at least, the best you can expect being surrounded by tens of thousands of city dwellers.

Whatever method you decide on, be prepared for crowds of innocent bystanders walking, jogging, skating, and biking around you. Expect to have them come and gawk at your catch. You may even get to talk to some PETA “fishing hurts” activists. This is Seattle, after all. And, sad to say, you’ll likely run into a few anglers that think if ten is good twenty is better. For those poachers you may run into, the Poaching Hotline is 1-877-933-9847.

There is one good thing about an urban fishery – Starbucks is just across the street to warn you up and energize you with that Grande extra shot caramel macchiato. Yum!