A quiet stretch of shoreline could offer a welcome break from the holiday rush. Washington wildlife officials plan to stock jumbo rainbow trout in local lakes ahead of Black Friday, including Gissberg Ponds in north Marysville.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Nov. 10 announcement lists more than 82,000 jumbo trout for 30 lakes statewide before Nov. 27. Some fish weigh up to 3 pounds and measure up to 17 inches.
A nearby option for families
Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, at 16324 Twin Lakes Ave. in Marysville, has shoreline fishing access, picnic areas, restrooms and paved parking. The city lists park hours as 7 a.m. to dusk.
Choose the correct lake before setting up: the North Lake is reserved for children 14 and younger. Older anglers use the South Lake. WDFW's lake information page describes ample room to fish from shore. The stocking announcement lists Gissberg Ponds without giving an exact planting day or a separate total for each pond.
Other waters on the list
WDFW also lists Silver Lake in Everett, Blackmans Lake in Snohomish, Ballinger Lake and Lake Tye in Monroe among the Snohomish County waters receiving jumbo trout.
Silver Lake has shoreline access and fishing piers, with restrooms and access at Everett's Thornton A. Sullivan Park.
Island County's listed destination is Cranberry Lake at Deception Pass State Park, which has a fishing pier on its east shore. That is on Whidbey Island, rather than Camano Island.
Anyone considering Lake Tye should also check current park notices and our report on the bird-flu findings there before a visit.
Check these details before heading out
- License: WDFW says anglers 16 and older need a current Washington freshwater fishing license for this fishing. See its licensing information and purchase options.
- Stocking: Use WDFW's catchable-trout stocking report for updated planting records. Being on the announcement's list does not mean a lake has already been stocked.
- Rules: Check the current fishing regulations and emergency changes for your chosen water, including limits and gear restrictions.
- Access: Check park hours, parking requirements and the weather before leaving, especially for a longer trip.
