7 events to introduce kids to the fun of fishing

  • By Mike Benbow Special to The Herald
  • Friday, April 17, 2015 1:59pm
  • Life

Some of the state’s lakes opened for fishing in March for people who just can’t wait. A few others are open year round.

But most lakes open next weekend, April 25, for what’s generally referred to as the opening day of trout season. The opener is the beginning of a six-month season for most lakes in Washington, giving people an opportunity to fish for thousands of trout reared in hatcheries and stocked in local lakes.

It’s a day that Jim Unsworth, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, refers to as “the biggest fishing day of the year”.

Unsworth said in a news release that he expects hundreds of thousands of people to be out fishing on opening day. They will pursue some 17.5 million trout and kokanee (landlocked salmon) placed in the state’s lakes, as well as some bigger fish that weren’t caught and kept last year.

The lakes surrounding most urban areas will be extremely busy as anglers try to catch their limits. But the frenzy typically only lasts for a few weekends, returning the serenity that usually comes with a day on the water.

To participate, you’ll need the right gear. Any store that sells sporting goods can help with that. And if you’re older than 14 years of age you’ll also need a fishing license.

They can be purchased online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov; by telephone at 866-246-9453; or at dealers statewide. To find a vendor, visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors.

The licenses cost $29.50. Fifteen-year-olds can get one for $8.50 and seniors age 70 and older pay $7.50.

Kids 14 and under don’t need a license. And opening day is a good chance to teach them a lifetime sport in which they can enjoy the outdoors. Fishing isn’t difficult, but if you’re the adult in the family and you have no idea of where to start, there are a number of fishing events for kids, including some where adult volunteers can help teach.

Here’s a list:

April 25: Opening day. The Darrington Firemen’s Association holds a kid’s derby from 6 to 11 a.m. at Fortson Pond 2 for ages 14 and under. Kids need their own gear and bait and must be able to cast and land their own fish. Prizes for winners in three age groups.

April 26: The Sky Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited holds an event at Lake Tye in Monroe for children age 12 and younger. Time is 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

May 2: The Everett Steelhead and Salmon Club offers kids fishing in Jennings Park pond in Marysville from 8 to 11 a.m. It’s for kids ages 5 to 12.

May 9: The city of Everett and the steelhead and salmon club offer fishing for kids ages 4 to 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Silver Lake. Plenty of adult volunteers to help. Sign up at https://everettwa.gov/652/Kids-Fish-In.

May 23: The Sultan Sportsmen’s Club hosts its annual kids derby from 10 a.m. to noon for youngsters 14 and under at Ed Boucher’s stocked pond on E. Wisteria Lane in Sultan. Info: 425 870-4020.

May 30-31: Willow Creek Hatchery in Lynnwood holds its open house, which includes free trout fishing for kids under 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Free shuttles from the Port of Edmonds. Info: 425-771-5970.

June 6: Monroe Rod &Gun Club hosts its annual fishing derby for kids 12 and under from 9 to 11 a.m. at Bowman’s pond in Monroe. It’s on Ben Howard Road, 5.8 miles east of Lewis Street. Follow the signs. Registration at 8 a.m. Info: 360-794-6317.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.