2025 statewide lake opener 4/26 thread... share plans/photos/etc

[HauntedByWaters]

It was the quietest opening day on the lowland lakes I have ever seen in the Bellingham area. It was a nice sunny weekend and I would say angler participation was a 1/10th of what I usually see. I think people are hurting bad financially and don’t want to spend the money on a license to catch these stocker turds which doesn’t bode well for the future of the program.

Fishing was excellent. My son and I caught at least 60 this weekend trolling in the drift boat. Biggest was a triploid of a couple pounds. Action was so good I didn’t even take a pic. My son just reeled in fish all day Sat and Sun. It was a dreamy weekend and we slept well.

 

[adamcu280]

It was the quietest opening day on the lowland lakes I have ever seen in the Bellingham area. It was a nice sunny weekend and I would say angler participation was a 1/10th of what I usually see. I think people are hurting bad financially and don’t want to spend the money on a license to catch these stocker turds which doesn’t bode well for the future of the program.

Fishing was excellent. My son and I caught at least 60 this weekend trolling in the drift boat. Biggest was a triploid of a couple pounds. Action was so good I didn’t even take a pic. My son just reeled in fish all day Sat and Sun. It was a dreamy weekend and we slept well.

They were probably all at my local lake.

 

[Shawn Seeger]

I volunteered again with the Mineral Lake Lions Club Derby. I was working the kids pond and then weight station and finally the Kids Raffle Give Away! The smiles and excitement for the kids (of all ages) was awesome! And it was SUNSHINING!!!

(And I made pictures haha)

Hundreds of anglers compete at Mineral Lake Fishing Derby - The Daily Chronicle

More than 400 anglers registered and tested their luck and bait, hoping to hook the “legendary 10-pound trout” Mineral Lake is known for during the 32nd annual Mineral Lake Fishing Derby …

www.chronline.com

 

[ffb]

It's probably been 15 years since I've done the put and take lake rodeo. I'm not sure what got into me, but this week I dug through my tying material and tied up a few leeches and chromies with what I had. Hit the lake this afternoon/evening and had a blast. I'm not much of a lake fisherman so these stockers are right up my alley

Lots of these guys.



A few natives.



A couple of these guys.



One mondo that took me for a ride on the 3wt.



And the peanut gallery.

 

[Zak]

It's probably been 15 years since I've done the put and take lake rodeo. I'm not sure what got into me, but this week I dug through my tying material and tied up a few leeches and chromies with what I had. Hit the lake this afternoon/evening and had a blast. I'm not much of a lake fisherman so these stockers are right up my alley

Lots of these guys.

View attachment 151638

A few natives.

View attachment 151639

A couple of these guys.

View attachment 151640

One mondo that took me for a ride on the 3wt.

View attachment 151641

And the peanut gallery.

View attachment 151644

Nice fish, look at that tail!