Spokane-area trout plump

Chris Donely was up to his gill nets in trout last week.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Department district biologist spends a few weeks each spring setting up a circuit of gill nets, each of which he allows to “soak” for 24 hours in order to survey the growth of hatchery fish stocked in Spokane County lakes.

“Oh, man, look at that,” he said, pulling in one net with a dozen fat rainbows of various lengths at Fishtrap Lake. “We’re going to have such good trout fishing this year you’re going to have a tough time deciding where to go.”

Donley said he found similar indications of good numbers and growth at other area lakes, including Badger and Williams.

“You gotta crack a few eggs to make an omelet,” he said after he’d measured, weighed and recorded each of the 34 fish that died in the nets for the benefit of fish science. “We plant about 100,000 trout in here, so taking a few dozen to get a good sample doesn’t make a blip in the population.”

By carefully sampling the lakes, Donley can fine-tune the number of fish he stocks to prevent over-planting, which would result in stunted fish, or under-stocking, which would result in big fish but fewer for angler creels.

Badger, Fishtrap, Williams, West Medical and also Clear Lake appear to be dialed in just about perfect this year, he said.

Following is what his sampling and other local wisdom tells anglers they can expect when the Spokane area’s trout-managed lakes open for fishing on April 30:

Amber — A selective fishery with football-fat rainbows, some of which are bumping 20 inches. Opened March 1.

Badger — In its prime with cutthroats 10-13 inches and rainbows 10-15 inches, plus carryovers and some trophy trout.

Chapman — Decent mixed species lake with kokanee running around 10 inches.

Clear — Produces nice, good-tasting rainbows and brown trout, but it’s a little trickier to fish than others. Also, good for bass.

Deer Springs (Lincoln County) — Has fullback rainbows that few people know about other than the locals who can find their way in on the back roads.

Downs — Gets 5,000 rainbows to go with good numbers of perch and crappies.

Fish — Not as heavily stocked as others, but good fishing for brook trout and tiger trout showing impressive growth.

Fishtrap — Great for rainbows 12-14 inches with carryovers to 20.

Liberty — Decent, with some nice rainbows and brown trout, plus bass.

Medical — Takes time to learn how to fish it, but the big brown trout in this selective fishery are worth the effort.

Newman — Fair for trout, great for bass, crappie and perch and the occasional huge tiger muskie. Open year-round.

North Silver — Stocking curtailed because of low water, but the rainbows that have survived in this special regulations lake are huge. Opened March 1.

Rock — Gets 20,000 rainbows and 20,000 browns, which tend to be most cooperative in fall. Open year-round.

Sprague — Will get 35,000 rainbows that grow like weeds in this lake. Also has crappie and the bottom is nearly paved with walleyes. Open year-round.

West Medical — Great for rainbows 12-14 plus carryovers to 20, plus some browns and tiger trout, but the eating quality of these fish tends to be disappointing.

Williams — In its prime with cutthroats running 10-13 inches and rainbows 12-15 inches, plus carryovers and some trophy trout.