by Hannah Pennebaker , December 12, 2020

Black Friday is over, and December is finally upon us. But don't hang up your fishing pole just yet, there are plenty of ways to get outside and beat the cabin fever this winter. You'll forget all about your frozen nose and chilly hands once you've got a dandy trout or chum salmon on the end of your line. There are thousands of clams and oysters out there just waiting to be made into fresh clam chowder and hot fried oysters. Kids of all ages can enjoy a fighting a feisty chum salmon or spotting a big clam in the rocks. Don't let the frost keep you and your family indoors!

Trout
Since Black Friday, WDFW has stocked thousands of catchable rainbow trout in lakes around the state. Look up their website to see if your local lake is among them. American Lake, Black Lake, and Tanwax Lake were all planted with jumbo trout. There is much to recommend winter trout fishing. The fish are hungry and more willing to bite your offerings. They also fight harder and taste better; their meat is noticeably firmer and darker. In addition to rainbow trout, cutthroat trout bite well in the winter. They have attracted a wide following due to their aggressive fight and tasty meat. There is a good fishery for them in Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington.

If you're fishing from shore or a boat, soaking dough bait is always effective for winter rainbow trout. Green, rainbow, and orange are always top producers. You can try a marshmallow and worm as well. Experiment with different leader lengths until you find where the trout are cruising at. Trolling in the winter can also be extremely effective. I like to lengthen my leaders and troll a little slower than I would in the spring or fall. I also tend to use trolling flies more than spoons or spinners in the winter. For cutthroats, I'll use a hoochie tipped with a piece of worm or corn. Wedding rings and spoons also work well. One thing is for sure: trout fishing is no longer just a spring and summer activity!

Salmon
You might think that the salmon runs are over, but luckily there are still thousands of chum running this month. Most coastal rivers get a nice run of chum salmon around this time of year. These large, feisty salmon are second to none when smoked. They are very oily and take to brines very well. Pound for pound, they are the hardest fighting salmon. Minter Creek, the Hoodsport Hatchery, the Humptulips, and the Satsop are all renowned producers of chum salmon.

To catch chums, remember that they are willing, aggressive biters. Use a hefty rod and tough reel spooled up with plenty of line. They bite well on twitching jigs, spoons, spinners, and corkies. Most locals will fish with a bobber and jig tipped with bait. Sand shrimp, coon shrimp, and herring will all produce. Chum love green, pink, and purple. Try curing your bait in a variety of colors, and don't be afraid to change up your offerings.

Clams and Oysters
There is no better time of year for clam and oyster digging than winter! Most shellfish are safe to eat in this cold weather, but always call the biotoxin hotline and check WDFW's website before you dig. All you'll need is a fishing license, a bucket, and a rake or trowel. This is a fun, family friendly activity: kids will have fun spotting the clams while you dig. Not sure where to start? There is a list of oyster and clam beaches on WDFW's website. Look up the tides and try to go during the lowest tide of the day for maximum opportunities.

All oysters must be shucked on the beach: leave all shells behind. This is to preserve future oyster habitat, as oysters seed on the shells of others. It's good practice to shuck them into a bag kept on ice for food safety purposes. For clams, keep them in a bucket and put a damp paper towel on them. Make sure to use a shellfish gauge if you're going after manila or littleneck clams. If the clam fits through the hole, it's illegal to keep and must be gently placed back in the sand where it was dug. Remember to fill your holes when you're done digging to preserve clam habitat.

Whether you choose to go after clams, oysters, chum salmon, or trout, it's always fun to get out of the house and enjoy the various bounties our beautiful state has to offer us. Remember to check the regulations and have appropriate licensing before you head out. Happy fishing!

Hannah Pennebaker graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in Environmental Studies. She enjoys both freshwater and saltwater fishing adventures in the Puget Sound area with her fishing group, the Straw Hat Fishermen.