In Washington

Ninety-one lakes throughtout the state will be stocked with 61,968 triploid trout averaging 1.5 pounds each.

These trout, purchased by WDFW, are sterile rainbows that are "voracious feeders and have the potential to grow to trophy size if not harvested the first of the season after stocking and if sufficient forage is easily available," a WDFW spokesman said.

The trout will be let free mostly in April and as close to the April 30 lowland lakes fishing opener as possible, according to the WDFW.

A distribution schedule provided by WDFW stated 1,844 of the trout will be released in western Klickitat County's North Rowland Lake during April. And 498 fish will go into the White Salmon River's Northwestern Reservoir.

Skamania County's Kidney Lake will receive 856 fish this month prior to the April 30 lowland lakes opener.

"We have other fishing openers during the year, but this one is by far the biggest, because so many families and casual anglers participate statewide," said WDFW Director Jeff Koenings.

He added: "The lake opener is a rite of spring and a social event--a good time for families and friends not only to catch fish but to catch up with each other."

The traditional start of Washington's most intense fishing season, the lowland lake opener is always held on the last Saturday of April.

This year's last-day-of-the-month opener should extend good fishing opportunities well into the summer, provided drought conditions don't get worse, say WDFW fish biologists.

Most lowland lakes remain open through October. Unlike high-elevation lakes that are stocked later in the year, many lowland waters were stocked last spring and fall with three-inch trout fry that grow to catchable size by the opener.