WHERE TO GO?
~ Columbia Basin~
To get an early jump on the statewide opener, a lot of anglers head for the Columbia Basin and a cluster of small lakes that are either open year ‘round or open in March or by the first of April.

More than 100 of these little lakes are clustered below O’Sullivan Reservoir Dam on either state or federal land, including the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.

Located in Washington’s desert area, these lakes are at their peak in early spring before summer fills the water with algae and high water temperatures send success skidding.

In March, April and early May, though, the Seep Lakes can be red-hot for rainbows, browns and tiger trout, and there’s as much good shore-fishing available as boat-only areas, making for great family trips.

Some lakes are only a few acres, others more than 100. Some are accessible by gravel road; others are hike-in. The Seep Lakes are pretty much a pick-your-poison kind of place. Whatever you like, from flinging bobbers and bait to float tubes and flies, you’ll find it here.

Another good trout bet is 28,000-acre Potholes Reservoir behind O’Sullivan Dam, where Mar Don Resort (call 1-800-416-2736) sponsors a cooperative net-pen rearing project with the WDFW that releases between 150,000 and 180,000 trout for fishermen each spring.

The reservoir is open year ‘round. There’s always good fishing from the docks at Mar Don and along a section of bank nicknamed Medicare Beach, in honor of the retirees in RVs who stake out favorite bank-fishing spots.

A lot of flyfishermen don’t consider spring sprung unless they’ve wet a float tube and line at Lenice, Nunnally and Merry lakes. These are hike-in lakes with a one-fish daily bag. Lenice is the favorite, but all three have big-fish potential and are stocked with rainbows, browns, triploids and tiger trout.

The WDFW estimates that Lenice and Nunnally will offer 12- to 14-inch rainbows and browns, with carry-overs to 20 inches, and some really big triploids. Lenice and Nunnally also offer a great chance to hook a tiger. The state record came from Lenice -- a 6.26-pounder caught in 2006.

Further north near Ephrata, the alkaline waters of 1,670-acre Lake Lenore support the hottest Lahontan cutthroat fishing in the state. Many of these fish run 14 to 22 inches, and some hit 10 pounds.

During the spawn -- from March 1 to May 31 -- the lake is restricted to catch-and-release fishing. For the rest of the season, only one fish per angler is the rule. These regulations reduce fishing pressure and increase big-fish potential. Also, the highly alkaline water of Lenore is fished for sport, not for table fare.

If you’re looking for skillet trout, continue a little north of Lenore to Sun Lakes State Park, which includes several exceptionally heavy planted catch-and-eat lakes.

Tops are Park and Blue lakes, but don’t ignore Perch Lake, which can come on strong with pan-size rainbows. This is a super-popular family camping-fishing destination.

~The Okanogan~
The Okanogan, stretching across the northern part of central Washington, holds some of the best trout fishing in the state. Its lakes are located in the colder part of the state, so many of the best waters open in April but don’t really start kicking until May. This gives anglers who invested opening weekends in western Washington or the Columbia Basin a second shot at peak bites.

Perennial top lakes to consider are Spectacle, Pearrygin, Alta, Wannacut, Concunully Lake and Conconully Reservoir. These waters are heavily planted with fry and catchables. Also, Pearrygin, Spectacle and both Conconully lakes are each topped off with around 600 triploids, joining a good number of large carry-over trout from previous plants.

These lakes have state parks nearby, public boat ramps, camping and resorts.