For those who would like to try fishing locally without purchasing a fishing license, a golden opportunity exists June 12-13 as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife hosts its annual Free Fishing Weekend.
Although licenses are not required on Free Fishing Weekend, other rules such as size limits, bag limits and closures will still be in effect. Anglers are required to complete a catch record card for any salmon, steelhead or sturgeon they catch.
Beyond this weekend, there are sport fishing opportunities offered in more than 4,000 rivers and streams, more than 7,000 lakes and about 200 reservoirs. Here are some other fishing highlights put out by the Washington Department of Fishing and Wildlife:
- Rivers and streams open for fishing the first Saturday of June, and lakes open the last Saturday of April.
- Trout fishing is best in spring and fall when the water is cool, though larger, deeper lakes can be good for trout year-round.
- May, June and July are usually best for kokanee, a type of sockeye salmon.
- Many high elevation lakes are stocked with cutthroat, rainbow and golden trout between June and October.
- As temperatures rise, warm water species such as bass, crappie, sunfish, and catfish provide yet other angling prospects.
- Walleye fishing in Columbia River reservoirs is mostly a year-round opportunity, with most trophy class fish caught in late winter and early spring months.
- Mountain whitefish are popular stream catches in winter when they gather in schools to spawn.
- Sturgeon fishing on the Columbia River is growing more popular each year, requiring more restrictive measures to protect its future.
- Oysters, clams, shrimp and crab are in their prime in the spring during daytime low tides on Puget Sound and Hood Canal beaches.
Once you have determined what type of fish you want to catch, it is time to figure out where to go fishing. Below are a few popular fishing spots near Joint Base Lewis-McChord and information on boat rentals:
American Lake
There are two public parks on American Lake - American Lake North Park & Marina and Harry Todd Park. American Lake North Park & Marina features a boat launching area. Fishing is a popular activity at American Lake, with cutthroat trout, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, rock bass, smallmouth bass, Sockeye salmon (kokanee) and yellow perch. Boat rentals are available and the wooded shoreline is ideal for canoeing and kayaking.
Russell Landing
Boat rentals are available at Russell Landing, located at Harry Todd Park. Prices are as follows: canoes are $8 an hour or $20 daily; kayaks are $8 per hour or $20 daily; a double kayak is $10 an hour or $25 a day; a 24-foot pontoon is $40 an hour or $160 daily; pedal boats are $10 an hour; a 16-foot motorboat is $15 an hour or $45 a day. For more information, call (253) 967-2510.
For a map of Russell Landing visit the site at: www.jblmmwr.com/assets/pdf/Great_Outdoors_Map_Fishing.pdf.
Spanaway Park Fishing Pier
14905 Gus G. Bresemann Rd. S., (Military Road and 152nd Street), Spanaway
www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/recreate/SpanawayPark.htm.
This 135-acre park includes a fishing pier and a boat launch. There are boat launch and parking fees at this site. Boat Launch fees are $10 per launch with a trailer and $6 per launch without a trailer. Seniors or those with disabilities pay $3 per launch. Parking is also $3 a day. An annual parking and boat launch pass is $75 a year.
More Web sites:
Fishing Piers: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/piers/search/search_all.php?orderby=Name.
Planted Lakes: To view a complete list of lakes and streams that are planted, with their scheduled allotments of fish, visit www.wdfw.wa.gov.
Sport Fishing Rules: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations.
Fishing Equipment Rental: www.jblmmwr.com.