The opening weekend of trout fishing in Eastern Washington was one of the best in years. Anglers were greeted with sunny skies and calm weather, and trout fishing was very good on most of the lakes in the region. My wife and I visited seven lakes in Okanogan County on Saturday of the opener, and found happy anglers everywhere we went.

We started at Alta Lake and visited some folks that were having a family derby and a 16-inch trout was only good for fourth place! We saw fish being caught at Twin Lakes, Patterson, Pearrygin, Leader, and at Conconully Reservoir and Conconully Lake. We saw more big fish, at these lakes than in most years, too.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife sent me the results of 17 lakes that they surveyed and three Okanogan County lakes made the top ten. Alta Lake was third on the list for numbers of fish taken by anglers on the first day of the opening weekend. Wannacut Lake placed sixth for angler success, and Fish Lake made the top ten in eighth place for success on the opener.

Fishing should continue to be excellent throughout the region for weeks to come.