Try your luck at catching trout in Eastern WA lakes starting March 1. Where to go

Nearly two dozen Eastern Washington lakes open Saturday, March 1, for trout fishing, and anglers also can try their luck at some that are open year round.

“If you’re prepared for the conditions, early March can be a great time to fish Eastern Washington’s lakes,” said Steve Caromile, manager of the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s inland fish program.

Some Eastern Washington lakes have good late-winter fishing opportunities not only for rainbow trout, but also yellow perch, burbot, cutthroat trout, brown trout, crappie, bass, walleye, and bluegill, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Here are some of the lakes that are open and recommended by the department:

▪ Recent surveys at Quincy and Burke lakes in Grant County found 12- to 13-inch rainbow trout, plus larger trout measuring over 14 inches.

▪ Within the Quincy Lakes Unit of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area, there are many walk-in opportunities, including Cliff, Crystal, Cup, and Upper and Lower Spring lakes. These quiet lakes can provide good fishing for trout in the 12- to 14-inch range, with some fish reaching up to 20 inches.

▪ Martha and Upper Caliche lakes near George in Grant County are both popular March 1 destinations. The lakes offer good fishing for 11- to 13-inch rainbow trout with the opportunity to catch trout up to 20 inches. The north section of Martha Lake is usually ice-free with plenty of shoreline space.

▪ Additional Grant County waters opening March 1 under selective gear rules include Dusty, Dry Falls, Lenore, Lenice, and Nunnally lakes.

▪ In Columbia County, bank fishing only is available at Rainbow, Deer, and Watson lakes off the Tucannon River. Spring and Blue lakes are open year-round, and the department will stock them this spring.

▪ Fish Hook Pond east of Burbank in Walla Walla County is open year-round for bank fishing only. It often warms early, providing good early spring fishing opportunities.

▪ Anglers wanting to stay closer to the Tri-Cities in Benton or Franklin counties can visit the department’s lowland lakes webpage to search by lake, county, or species for fishing information. Benton, Franklin, Yakima and Kittitas counties have lakes open for fishing year-round.

Weekly stocking reports for the state are posted on the fish stocking webpage.

If you plan to fish lakes in the Eastern Cascade Mountains in early March, you may find them iced over, but without ice still thick enough to walk on, warns the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Before heading out to fish Eastern Washington lakes, check the Fish Washington app for regulations.

You must have a valid fishing license, which they can buy online or at license dealers across the state.

Some areas may require a Discover or other parking pass. Find parking pass information on WDFW’s website.