by James Cummings, May 10, 2002

An opening weekend tradition for many Washington anglers, 346-acre Park Lake and 536-acre Blue Lake are up to the challenge. Each year over 300,000 fingerlings are planted between the two lakes and to insure an excellent outing each lake receives 25,000 catchable rainbows (8 to 12-inches) in April. R.V.s begin showing up along Highway 17, which parallels the northwest shore of both lakes, nearly two weeks in advance of the opener. Don’t worry; there is plenty of room available, including three resorts and Sun Lakes State Park.

The blossoming desert flowers such as white showy phlox and beautiful yellow balsamroot make an outstanding backdrop for fishing. Canadian geese are plentiful on both lakes. Listen for the distinctive call of the loon. Sunning themselves on the warm rock outcroppings are rockchucks or yellow-bellied marmots.

Tossing Power Bait, in any color, from the bank is the most popular technique. Trolling lures or flies behind gang trolls also attracts fish. Although fishing was slower than some years, anglers were pleased with the size of this year’s rainbows.

Boats can be rented from all three resorts and the State Park. Two boat launches on Park Lake and one on Blue Lake are free to the public.


Blue Lake boat launch.


Park Lake boat launch and Park lake dock.


A perfect place to start a new family fishing tradition or continue an old one, the Sun lakes region can be reached by traveling Highway 17 north from the town of Soap Lake.


Sun Lakes Park - great views abound...
as does great fishing! Stan with a couple nice fish.


From the Desk of the Troutfisherman

04-29-02

Email troutfisherman@odessaoffice.com