Visit the event website for more information: Statewide lowland lakes opener and Trout Derby kickoff
Opening day of lowland lakes fishing is one of the biggest fishing events of the year in Washington. It’s a great opportunity for anglers of all ages and abilities to enjoy time outdoors, whether they’re new to fishing or experienced. With more than 7,000 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in the state, there’s likely a great spot nerby. Find a recently stocked lake.
Trout Derby
The annual WDFW Trout Derby also kicks off April 26 and runs through Oct. 31. Now in its 10th year, the derby features nearly 1,100 prizes valued at more than $54,000 from more than 100 participating businesses. Each prize-winning trout is marked with an orange tag near the dorsal fin. Anglers can visit the WDFW Trout Derby webpage at WDFWderby.com for a list of participating lakes and instructions on how to claim a prize after catching a tagged fish.
License information
To fish on opening day or participate in the Trout Derby, anglers must have a valid 2025 license. Options include the Get Outdoors package, annual freshwater, Fish WA, combination licenses, or temporary combination licenses (with some restrictions for opening week). Licenses can be purchased online, by phone, or at local dealers. Learn more about licenses.
Please note that one- to three-day temporary combination licenses are not valid for the first eight days of the lowland opener (April 26 through May 3); except for active-duty military personnel serving in any branch of the U.S. armed forces.
Notice of Photography and/or Videography. When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography and/or videography (which includes audio recording) may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such photography and/or videography and their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. If you prefer not to have your photo and/or video taken, please inform WDFW staff immediately upon arrival. Staff will provide a sticker or tape for you to wear. You must wear the sticker/tape at all times. WDFW will make an effort to edit or remove any photos and/or video of you in which the sticker/tape is present. Any photos and/or videos posted in error will be immediately edited or removed upon request.
Due to the nature of audio recording that is a necessary part of videography, WDFW cannot warrant that outside/ambient audio from other individuals won’t be captured and released as part of said videography. All parties attending such an event consent to WDFW using such outside/ambient audio recording as part of any videography process.