Fish Black Friday for big rainbow trout

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is offering anglers opportunities for tight lines rather than long lines on the day after Thanksgiving.

The "holiday specials" include thousands of large trout averaging 15 to 16 inches in length and weighing up to three pounds.

"This is a great chance to enjoy a fun day on the water with family and friends," said Steve Caromile, WDFW inland fish program manager. "I can't think of a better way to pre-celebrate the holidays."

Some of the lakes scheduled to be stocked with fish before Black Friday, Nov. 29, include:

· Battle Ground Lake and Klineline Pond in Clark County,

· Kress Lake in Cowlitz County,

· Spencer Lake in Mason County,

· Fort Borst Park Pond and South Lewis County Park Pond in Lewis County,

· American and Tanwax Lake in Pierce County,

· Rowland Lake in Klickitat County,

· Black, Long, and Offut lakes in Thurston County,

· Clear and Cranberry lakes in Skagit County,

· Padden Lake in Whatcom County,

· Gissberg Ponds, Tye Lake, Silver Lake and Ballinger Lake in Snohomish County,

· Green, Beaver, Steel, and Fivemile lakes in King County,

· North Elton Pond in Yakima County,

· Cases Pond in Pacific County.

Additionally, the following lakes on the eastside have been stocked with fry plants in recent years and promise great fishing for Black Friday: Hatch and Williams lakes in Stevens County; Fourth of July Lake in Lincoln and Adams counties; and Hog Canyon Lake in Spokane County.

"WDFW's trout stocking and hatchery programs are active year-round," said Caromile. "We provide the gift of spending time with friends and family on lakes around the state, at any time of the year."

For up-to-date stocking information this fall, anglers should follow the department's weekly catchable trout stocking report at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/stocking/trout-plants, where they can find reports on stocking that have taken place within the last 30 days and in the past week.

Anglers 15 years and older must have a current Washington freshwater fishing license valid through March 31, 2020, to participate.

Licenses can be purchased by telephone at 1-866-246-9453, at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, or at hundreds of license vendors across the state.

For details on license vendor locations, visit the WDFW website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/dealers.