Anglers will soon have an opportunity to catch large trout this fall in Beaver Lake near Issaquah, thanks to the release of about 2,400 hatchery rainbows averaging about three pounds each.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will release the fish on Nov. 5. To facilitate fish planting, the agency will close the Beaver Lake access site at sunset on Nov. 4 and reopen the site at sunrise on Nov. 6. Beaver Lake, however, will remain open to fishing while the access site is closed.
The trout are part of an educational display at WDFW’s Issaquah Hatchery. The department releases trout in to Beaver Lake each year to enhance recreational opportunity, said Justin Spinelli, fishery biologist for WDFW.
Beaver Lake is best fished by small boat, although anglers also can be successful fishing from shore, Spinelli said.
WDFW’s access site is most easily reached by way of East Beaver Lake Drive Southeast, off Southeast 24th Street in the city of Sammamish. More information about fishing and access at Beaver Lake can be found at WDFW’s Fish Washington webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/washington/.
Parking for vehicles and boat trailers is limited, and a valid WDFW Vehicle Access Pass or Discover Pass must be visible in vehicles parked at the access site. For more information about the Vehicle Access Pass and the Discover Pass, visit WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/discoverpass/.
Beaver Lake is one of several lowland lakes in western Washington open to fishing year-round. Internal combustion boat engines are prohibited on the lake. All anglers 15 years of age and older are required to have a valid fishing license.
The daily limit is five fish, only two of which can exceed 15 inches in length. For details, check the sport fishing rules pamphlet, available on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm.