Annual Trout Derby is on

WASHINGTON-The 2019 Statewide Trout Fishing Derby started April 27 and is open to anyone with a valid 2019 fishing license and more than 1,000 prizes are available. Fish with a WDFW tag near their dorsal fin could make any size fish a catch-of-the-day.

No entrance fee or registration is required to participate. Simply visit a participating lake and catch a tagged trout rainbow trout in one of over 100 stocked lakes between April 28 and Oct. 31.

Winning derby trout will have a blue tag attached to their fin. Call the WDFW number on the tag to find out where to claim your prize. There are over 1,000 prizes totaling over $39,000 with prize values ranging from $25 to $1,000.

Participating Walla Walla County lakes include: Bennington Lake, Hood Park Pond, Quarry Pond. In Columbia County, Blue Lake and Watson Lake are stocked with tagged fish. Visit https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/Home/FishingDerby for a complete listing of participating lakes.