You can win prizes for catching WA fish starting this weekend. All about the trout derby

Across the country, people count down to warm weather for plenty of reasons. For some, they’re waiting to go on hikes, while others are in anticipation of boating season. Some just like the higher temperatures.

For many, nice weather signals the start of a new period. For some, it’s a period of fishing.

If you’ve been waiting all winter for fishing season, your time has nearly come. Opening day for hundreds of Washington lakes is just around the corner, and with it comes the start of the state’s trout derby.

Through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the trout derby allows anglers all over the state to fish for tagged trout and earn prizes.

How WA’s trout derby works

Each year, WDFW stocks millions of trout in hundreds of lakes across Washington state. These can be fished for during the six-month season, beginning in April. This year, opening day is April 27. Some fishing areas may open before opening day. Be sure to check the rules and guidelines anywhere you fish, and always follow posted signage.

Depending on the lake, you may find rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon or other species. The full list of lakes is available online, allowing users to sort by county and water body.

This year, more than 14.5 million trout and kokanee were placed in Washington waters. Trout averages 2.5 fish per pound, or 12 to 14 inches, according to the press release from WDFW. Over 140,000 jumbo trout were also placed, measuring over 14 inches and averaging 1 to 1.5 pounds.

Some of the fish are tagged. If you catch a tagged fish and alert WDFW, you can win prizes. There are more than 800 prizes worth over $42,000 in total, ranging from $20 gift cards to a $1,000 refrigerator, according to WDFW’s Sales and Marketing Manager Tom Ryle.

Trout with yellow tags are prize winners. If you catch one during the fishing season, you can enter the tag information into the prize portal for information on what you’ve won up until November 4. The average value per prize is $48.97, according to Ryle. Some of the many prizes include resort stays, trampoline park memberships, golf rounds and a lot of other merchandise.

Prizes are donated by licensing partners and local businesses. Ryle says WDFW spends no money on the prizes.

“Without their generosity, the derby would not happen,” Ryle stated in an email to McClatchy. “Our license dealers understand the value and impact fishing has on people, especially youth. The Trout Derby is a fun way to introduce fishing to thousands of new people each year.”

Anglers must be licensed to fish in Washington in order to redeem prizes from tagged trout. This keeps anglers coming back each year, and remaining licensed to catch fish.

Acceptable license options include:

• Resident or non-resident 2024 Get Outdoors package

• Annual freshwater license

• Annual Fish Washington license

• Annual combination license

If you have a temporary combination license, it cannot be used for game fish between April 27 and May 5, except for active-duty military personnel serving in any branch of the U.S. armed forces.

Licenses can be purchased online, over the phone at 360-902-2464 or at one of the many authorized dealers across Washington.

History of WDFW’s trout derby

This is the ninth year of the trout derby, brought on in 2015 as an R3 initiative. A nationwide effort to increase and diversify participation in angling, hunting and shooting sports, R3 stands for Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation.

According to Steve Caromile, WDFW’s inland fish program manager, trout account for an estimated 70% of angling in Washington. He said the department’s work with trout is one of the most important things they do each year.

Trout fishing isn’t just popular, it’s also accessible. Caromile says it makes little difference what gear you use, whether you’re on the shore or in a boat, your chance for success is about the same. The only requirements are a valid fishing license and a fishing pole.

Licensing wasn’t the primary motivation behind the derby. The monetary benefits are simply a positive impact of the program.

“We’re state government, we’re not a corporation, we’re not trying to make all the shareholders happy,” Caromile stated in an interview. “We’re trying to just get things out there for the people of the state that’s not very expensive, where they can just get outside and have fun.”

The derby helps fund WDFW operations, but it also increases foot traffic and support for local businesses. Combined with the accessible recreation activities for so much of the state, the trout derby is an all-around win.

“Angling is still a great way to spend time with your family, whether that be your mom and dad, your grandparents or your best friend, it’s still a great way to go out and spend time outside with your family,” Caromile said.