Lunkers for youngsters

Thu., April 20, 2006

Rich Landers Outdoors editor

Certain fishing waters in Washington are just for kids.

Listed in the regulations pamphlet as being for “juveniles-only,” these waters often are small lakes or ponds that are stocked with hatchery trout to provide dependable early-season fishing close to communities. Some of them also have spiny-ray fisheries that please young anglers later in the year.

Examples include Para Lake in Adams County, Headgate Pond in Asotin County, Pit Lake in Douglas County, Bear Lake in Spokane County, Lucky Duck Pond in Stevens County and Garfield Juvenile Pond in Whitman County.

But most good fishing lakes are great for kids, even if they have to share them with adults.

Last summer, when a friend asked for a suggestion on a reliable summer spot to take a couple of young boys fishing, I suggested the docks at one of the resorts on Newman Lake, which has everything from agreeable panfish to lunker tiger muskies to keep anglers entertained.

The father responded after the trip with a glowing review, indicating that two new young anglers were created in a single afternoon.

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Lunkers for youngsters

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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