![]() ![]() However, fish densities can be controlled by limited stocking numbers and frequencies. The lack of reproductive capability in most high lakes means WDFW has to stock fish to provide for recreational fishing. Most trout species need inlet or outlet streams that flow over gravel, year-round. But fisheries managers consider the timing, number and species of fish stocked to ensure conservation of high lakes aquatic communities while providing quality recreational opportunity.įish reproduction occurs in some high lakes, though most lakes do not have the right conditions for self-sustaining trout populations. Due to budget cuts and an increased awareness of the ecological impacts of stocking trout in high lakes, the program was re-evaluated and reduced in scope to its current level. Stocking still occurs in hundreds of high lakes statewide. The high lakes trout-stocking program peaked from a fish stocking perspective in the 1960s to the early 1990s. ![]() Stocking became more systematic in the late 1920s, when county governments began managing fish and wildlife, and has continued without interruption since the Department of Game was created in 1933. government transported fish to lakes in buckets and large milk cans by horseback or on foot. Trout-stocking in high lakes has been a long tradition, beginning around the turn of the 20th century when miners, loggers, woodsmen and the U.S. Overabundant fish lakes are those where anglers are strongly encouraged to remove the legal number of trout each day they fish to bring fish populations under control. These lakes are relatively easy to access and give you a good introduction to high lakes fishing. If you are new to high lakes fishing, you might want to try a getting started lake. However, the majority of high elevation lakes remain fishless. Some are self-sustaining trout populations, while others are stocked periodically with a variety of trout species. Only a small percentage of our high lakes have introduced fish populations. East of the Cascades, nearly 950 lakes lie above 3,500 feet, which qualifies them as high lakes. There are about 1,600 lakes that are considered "high" lakes, at elevations of more than 2,500 feet above sea level in western Washington. The fishing is spectacular in these high elevation gems but the experience is punctuated by fantastic camping, hiking, wildlife watching and the scenic vistas taken in during your stay, and travels to and from these unique angling opportunities. Without a doubt, high lakes trout fishing is one of Washington's premier recreational opportunities. Monofilament recovery and recycling programĬreated by colliding tectonic plates, and carved by glaciers and ice, high mountain lakes in Washington offer anglers a recreational experience unmatched by any other waters in the state.Various currents can carry you away and get you in trouble quickly, so please take care. If you're going belly boat fishing on a big river: do this only when you have enough experience, never do it alone, and make eye contact with the skipper of boats. Once fishing, don’t leave flies dangling in the water while you’re choosing replacements or having a bite to eat. Have everything ready and in position on the belly boat, which you want to be waiting for you in the shallows, before you don the fins and then walk backward into the water, lowering yourself gently into the seat. Walking forwards in fins can lead to trips and a nasty fall. If you get in trouble, you’re at least being blown back to safety. Try and fish where the breeze blows into the shore. Water gets cold and your legs are in it all day. Wear thermal layers under your waders or else wear neoprene waders. Make sure that the tube consists of two independent sections so that a puncture in one doesn’t mean disaster for the entire vessel. That way, if the wind does turn against you, it can only push you so far before you’re on the shore again.ĭon’t go belly boating alone unless you’re in clear view of people on the shore and they’re not going anywhere. Stick to small stillwaters unless there’s no breeze. You’re so close to the water already in a belly boat, that an automatic life jacket could easily inflate when you least need it to. One that stops short of the waist (so it doesn’t get distorted when you sit down) and one that you activate, not one that inflates automatically when coming into contact with water. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |