Statewide Fishing Opportunities Offered on Black Friday

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officials announced they plan to stock nearly 65,000 jumbo rainbow trout in 25 lakes statewide, including two in Stevens County, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, offering anglers a chance to get outside for Washington’s annual Black Friday fishing. According to officials, the holiday special rainbow trout weigh up to three pounds and measure up to 17 inches each.

“WDFW has offered Black Friday fishing for more than a decade, and it’s a great way to get outdoors over the holiday weekend,” said Steve Caromile, WDFW inland fish program manager. “We stock jumbo trout in lakes near communities, making it easy to spend a few hours on the water with friends and family.”

This year, Hatch Lake and Williams Lake will be stocked before Nov. 28, WDFW officials stated.For stocking information, anglers can refer to the catchable trout stocking report on the WDFW website at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/stocking/trout-plants.WDFW officials stated anglers 16 years and older must have a current Washington freshwater fishing license, valid through March 31, 2026, to participate. Licenses can be purchased online, or at any of the hundreds of license vendors across the state. 

Officials also warned that, though uncommon in November, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) can still be present in lakes and recommended reviewing advisories at doh.wa.gov/fish.