More Than 128,000 Anglers Hit Washington Lakes Saturday

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The lowland lake opener delivered. Thousands of anglers hit lakes statewide Saturday under unusually clear, warm conditions, and the fishing lived up to the weather. More than 128,000 anglers turned out across 67 surveyed lakes statewide, according to WDFW, with 469,554 trout caught and nearly 300,000 kept at an average of 3.6 fish per angler caught or released.

“We had another great lowland lake opener,” said WDFW inland fish manager Steve Caromile. “The weather was beautiful across most of the state and there were happy anglers too.”

For anglers who missed the opener, the message is simple: the season is just getting started. Early morning windows remain the most productive as waters continue to settle into spring patterns.

Silver Lake — Hundreds of Our Closest Friends

PNW Daily Editor-in-Chief Brian Henderson was on the water early Saturday morning at Silver Lake alongside Chris Hamilton from Yeager’s Sporting Goods. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department greeted anglers during safety checks and surveys. PNW Daily viewers watched anglers fan out across the shoreline before sunrise in the initial live report.

The bite ran steady in the early window, especially from about 6 to 8 a.m., then slowed as boats poured onto the lake through the morning.

“It’s almost like there were hundreds of boats on the lake,” Hamilton joked.

Hamilton arrived early because he had to open the Yeager’s fishing department by 10 a.m. He started on a “Dr. Death” plug from Yakima Bait Co. before switching to a black and olive wooly bugger for nonstop action.

By the time PNW Daily arrived at 6 a.m. there was a long line at the boat launch and a full parking lot.

Lake Padden — Jigging Spoons for The Big One

Sunday, PNW Daily shifted to Lake Padden and focused on jigging spoons in search of a bigger fish among the stocked trout.

Much like most trout anglers, we started trolling spoons. After a few unsuccessful strikes, we switched tactics using new weighted spoons from Daiwa.

Action came on the first cast and remained consistent, with excited trout that rewarded constant movement. Fish were aggressive early, then cycled on and off as boat and bank pressure increased through the day.

PNW Daily arrived after 1 p.m. and caught fish steadily through the afternoon, though the bite slowed during the heat of the day after 4 p.m. Padden reflected what WDFW samplers recorded elsewhere in Whatcom County, where catch rates held solid even as pressure built.

Kokanee Fishing Heating Up Across the Region

Beyond trout, kokanee fishing trends upward across Northwest waters as spring patterns settle in.

Anglers report improved consistency on both trolling setups and jig presentations, particularly in early morning windows when fish are actively feeding near thermoclines and transitional depth zones.

That early bite window has been the common thread across both kokanee and trout systems this week, with the strongest action falling between first light and mid-morning.

Caromile noted that once temperatures warmed Saturday, fishing improved across most regions. “Once it warmed up a little, the bite improved,” he said. “Overall, it seemed like catch rates were pretty good.”

This is the time of year getting up early pays off.

Season Just Getting Started

With additional stocking scheduled and more stable spring weather ahead, the Skagit River king fishing conditions to continue improving into May as the season wraps May 15.

Bellingham Kids’ Fishing Derby — May 9

The Bellingham Kids’ Fishing Derby is set for Saturday, May 9 at Whatcom Falls Park’s Juvenile Derby Pond. Instruction led by Yeager’s Sporting Goods begins at 8 a.m.

Best Bets for Bellingham This Week

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