These areas produce by providing food for the hungry trout. Algae and aquatic vegetation cover the bridge floats of Interstate 90 and State Road 520, beginning the food chain that often ends with trout. The Cedar River spews out an astounding number of sockeye fry each spring. Marauding cutthroats turn the annual event into a shallow-water feast.

Underwater points like Groat and Dabney, attract forage fish, which in turn attract cutthroat.

Knowing where the fish are and what they eat makes the last part of the puzzle easier to solve. Most anglers troll in 30 to 110 feet. Downriggers, allowing lighter running lines and leaders, have generally replaced lead weights. The lake’s extreme water clarity, as much as 30 feet under prime conditions, calls for long fluorocarbon leaders. Lures of choice range from Panther Martins to Rapalas and herring. Use a fish finder to locate bait balls, then fish under those balls to put your lure in front of the trout attacking the bait from below.

Longtime guide Curt Welch, who owns Special Moments Guide Service (SpecialMomentsGuideService.com) generally agrees that deep trolling is the way to catch Lake Washington trout, with one notable exception. When sockeye fry exit the Cedar in May, Welch fishes a fry imitation on a long line in about 4 to 10 feet off the river mouth.

Boat access is excellent, with concrete ramps located at each end of the lake and at several spots along the east and west sides.

ANGLE LAKE
Technically, Angle Lake is located in Sea-Tac, but why quibble when it produces good-sized trout consistently, all year ‘round? Access is easy from Angle Lake Park, 19408 International Boulevard, just south and east of Sea-Tac Airport. This 102-acre lake offers rainbow trout as well as kokanee (landlocked sockeye salmon) and warm-water species.

In March, the hatchery truck drops off 10,000 catchable-sized trout. In April, it comes back to add some triploid rainbows weighing more than a pound at release.

At more than 50 feet deep, the lake offers enough food and hiding spots for these planters to grow. Catch reports indicate many 3- to 5-pound trout swim this water, even though it gets regular fishing pressure.

A great spot for a family fishing adventure is Angle Lake Park (http://cityofseatac.com/park/anglelak.htm). Small boats are easily launched from the single-lane concrete ramp. There’s ample dock space as well as a wheelchair accessible fishing pier. On the lake, the 8-mph no-wake limit keeps the speed freaks away.

After a few hours of fishing under even the best conditions, youngsters can get antsy cooped up in a boat. Angle Lake Park offers playground equipment, a barbecue area, picnic shelters, swimming beach with lifeguards and grassy recreation area. After burgers and chips, or a fish fry, the family can pile back in the boat for some evening fishing. Heck, if you like watching airplanes take off and land while you fish, Angle Lake is your nirvana. The park closes at dusk, so plan your hours accordingly.

Unlike at Lake Washington, all fishing methods score well here. Trollers use small Flatfish in green or black, and green or red wedding-ring spinners. When fishing spinners, some people tip the hook with a bit of worm. If the usual trolled lures don’t trick the fish into biting, drop anchor and try still-fishing with night crawlers or PowerBait.