Choose tight lines over long lines or online on the day after Thanksgiving and create a new family fishing tradition. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is stocking 24 lakes statewide with over 140,000 rainbow trout!

The “holiday specials” being stocked just in time for Nov. 26 include thousands of large trout averaging 15 to 16 inches in length and weighing up to three pounds.

These lakes join dozens of others around the state already stocked in October with tens of thousands of trout. A number of other lakes stocked earlier this year are also open for fishing on Black Friday. Many other lakes still boast excellent trout fishing as a result of stocking earlier in the year.

“Fall is a great time to get out and fish your local lakes, and a peaceful alternative to the chaos of Black Friday shopping,” said Steve Caromile, WDFW inland fish program manager. “It’s also a fun way to get outdoors with family and friends and create some holiday memories. We work hard to offer year-round opportunity at lakes across the state, and we hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy some of the great fall fishing on tap this year.”

How-to and stocking details

Read our blog on shore fishing for rainbow trout for helpful tips on tactics and gear for this family friendly fishery.

For up-to-date stocking information, anglers should follow the department’s weekly catchable trout stocking report, where they can find reports on stocking that has taken place within the last 30 days and throughout the year.