WDFW encourages people to fish instead of shop on Black Friday

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Waiting in line for Black Friday deals can be a tedious process for many, but the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has another option. 

The WDFW instead said people can go out and fish at many lakes in the state, according to a news release.

“Fall is a great time to get out and fish your local lakes and a peaceful alternative to the chaos of Black Friday shopping,” said WDFW Inland Fish Program Manager Steve Caromile. “It’s also a fun way to get outdoors with family and friends and create some holiday memories.”

The release states there are thousands of large trout averaging 15 to 16 inches in length and weighing up to three pounds that can be found as part of the WDFW’s annual fall stocking efforts.

A few examples of lakes that will be stocked before Black Friday on Nov. 26 include Battle Ground Lake, Spencer Lake in Mason County, Rowland Lake in Klickitat County, and the Green and Beaver Lakes in King County. 

A number of lakes in Eastern Washington were also stocked earlier in the year and should yield great results for Black Friday, stated the release. Hatch and Williams lakes in Stevens County, Fourth of July Lake in Lincoln and Adams counties, and Hog Canyon Lake in Spokane County are among them. 

“We work hard to offer year round opportunities at lakes across the state and we hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy some of the great fall fishing on tap this year,” Caromile said.



For more information about stocking in the fall and the rest of the year, the WDFW advises readers to follow its weekly catchable trout stocking report online at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/stocking/trout-plants, which shows lakes that have recently been stocked. 

In order to fish, anglers 15 years old and older must have a current Washington freshwater fishing license valid through Mar. 31, 2022, the release said. 

Licenses can be purchased online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. 

For those wishing to purchase one in person, licensed vendor locations can be found online at wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/dealers.