05-02-2009, 11:10 AM
Jameson Lake in Douglas County is clear enough this year to receive more rainbow trout in time for the April 25 lake fishing season opener.
Water conditions have improved this year in the 332-acre lake eight miles south of Mansfield. In recent years lake water quality was poor, due to a lack of spring run-off. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) had planned to stock fish there only if water quality conditions improved.<br />
"We're glad to report that lake clarity and oxygen levels at Jameson are very good this spring," said WDFW District Fish Biologist Bob Jateff of Twisp. "Survival and growth of more than 160,000 fingerling trout stocked last year has improved, and with additional plants of catchable-size trout last week and this week, Jameson promises to be very good once again this opening day."<br />
Jameson Lake received about 34,000 rainbow trout from WDFW's Wells and Columbia Basin fish hatcheries last week. Besides the 12-inch trout, up to 1,500 triploid rainbow trout from Trout Lodge, each averaging one-and-a-half pounds, are scheduled to be stocked this week by Columbia Basin and Chelan hatchery crews.<br />
"This year, anglers can again expect the successful trips they have associated with Jameson Lake in the past," Jateff said, noting that many people come from western Washington to enjoy fishing in the region.<br />
Jameson Lake is open April 25 - July 4, and again for the month of October. It is under the statewide daily catch limit of five trout, with no minimum-size limit.<br />
Fish stocking plans can be found on the WDFW website at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/ , and complete fishing regulations can be found at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm
Water conditions have improved this year in the 332-acre lake eight miles south of Mansfield. In recent years lake water quality was poor, due to a lack of spring run-off. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) had planned to stock fish there only if water quality conditions improved.<br />
"We're glad to report that lake clarity and oxygen levels at Jameson are very good this spring," said WDFW District Fish Biologist Bob Jateff of Twisp. "Survival and growth of more than 160,000 fingerling trout stocked last year has improved, and with additional plants of catchable-size trout last week and this week, Jameson promises to be very good once again this opening day."<br />
Jameson Lake received about 34,000 rainbow trout from WDFW's Wells and Columbia Basin fish hatcheries last week. Besides the 12-inch trout, up to 1,500 triploid rainbow trout from Trout Lodge, each averaging one-and-a-half pounds, are scheduled to be stocked this week by Columbia Basin and Chelan hatchery crews.<br />
"This year, anglers can again expect the successful trips they have associated with Jameson Lake in the past," Jateff said, noting that many people come from western Washington to enjoy fishing in the region.<br />
Jameson Lake is open April 25 - July 4, and again for the month of October. It is under the statewide daily catch limit of five trout, with no minimum-size limit.<br />
Fish stocking plans can be found on the WDFW website at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/ , and complete fishing regulations can be found at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm