The 2019 lowland lakes trout season will open Saturday. The annual spring trout derby will also start this weekend.
100 lakes in Washington were stocked for the weekend, and those stockings included tagged trout that are good for cash and prizes. More than 130 businesses are participating and have offered prizes. Over 1,000 tagged fish were stocked out, with prizes ranging from $25 up to $1,000.
Lucky anglers that catch the tagged trout can call the WDFW to learn what they have won, and where they must go to pick up their prize.
In Clark County anglers can find tagged trout in Battle Ground Lake, Lacamas Lake, and Klineline Pond.
For more information, see the WDFW website at: https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/Home/FishingDerby
Special hunt applications due May 22
Hunters may apply for special hunt permits until the deadline, May 22. A random drawing will be held to select permit winners in June.
Special permits qualify hunters to hunt beyond the times and places designated in general season hunts.
Hunters must purchase an application and hunting license to apply for deer and elk tags. Hunters do not need to buy the license to apply for mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and moose.
Applications and licenses are available from vendors state-wide or on the WDFW website, or by calling 1-877-945-3492 toll-free.
Hunters buying and applying online must create a username and password. They can find more information about creating their account at: WILD system account. Hunters can also click the “Customer Support” link on the WILD homepage for additional assistance.
You can login to buy and submit applications if you already have a username and password,
“Every year hundreds of special permits get returned because of invalid addresses, so make sure you update your phone number, email, and address in the WILD system,” said Anis Aoude, WDFW game division manager in a news release.
Hunt permit applications cost $7.10 for residents, $110.50 for non-residents, and $3.80 for youth under 16.
Resident applications for mountain goats, bighorn sheep ram, moose, and “quality” categories for deer and elk cost $13.70. Instructions and details on applying for special permit hunts are on pages 12-13 of the WDFW Big game Regulations available on their website.
The department post the results of the special hunt permit drawing online by the end of June at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/.
WDFW will notify winners by mail or email by mid-July.
Hunter pink now an option
On April 10, the state House of Representatives passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5148, a bill expanding orange clothing requirements for hunters to include fluorescent pink. The state Senate had already passed the bill on Feb. 20, and Governor Jay Inslee has signed it.
“Because fluorescent pink doesn’t blend in with anything else in the forest or field, it also offers the excellent visibility we need for safety,” said Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, the prime sponsor of the bill and a longtime hunter.
Hunter injuries and accidents have declined significantly since the state has required hunters to wear orange. Fluorescent pink is considered equally visible to hunter orange. Nine states have now passed laws allowing hunters to wear pink for safety.
During specific hunting seasons, hunters must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent hunter orange
The new law will take effect in July.
Those who wish to learn more about hunter safety can visit the hunter education and requirements page on the WDFW website.
