Get out and fish!

A Washington tradition that goes back at least 50 years gets underway once again on April 27.

On Saturday, thousands of people will fish hundreds of lakes stocked with millions of fish in the statewide opening of lake fishing season.

“It’s a tradition you can count on,” said Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) director Jeff Koenings. “Even during uncertain times, everyone can get outside with family and friends to enjoy an opportunity to catch a fish.”

As many as 300,000 people could be out this Saturday. They’ll be hoping to land some of the nearly 22 million fish that have been or are being stocked by WDFW hatchery crews.

Some of the fish are stocked in fishing waters that are open year-round or that opened March 1 in eastern Washington. But most of the catchable-size and triploid trout stocking is scheduled just before the last Saturday in April opener, which marks the traditional start of Washington’s most intense fishing activity.

In Whatcom County, Lake Padden and Silver Lake offer great fishing for local residents..

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