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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Washington tags trout for derby prizes

Colored tags have been inserted by the dorsal fins of hundreds of hatchery trout released into Washington lakes in 2016 for a statewide fishing derby organized by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. (WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AN / Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife photo)
Colored tags have been inserted by the dorsal fins of hundreds of hatchery trout released into Washington lakes in 2016 for a statewide fishing derby organized by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. (WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AN / Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife photo)
By Rich Landers richl@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508

Some of the rainbow trout stocked in Washington lakes that open for fishing on Saturday are wearing tags that could make even an average fish the catch of the day.

About 700 rainbow trout stocked in 105 of the lakes statewide have tags near their dorsal fins worth a total of $20,000 in prizes.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s inserted the tags and released the fist for the state’s first lowland lake fishing derby, which runs from Saturday through Sept. 6.

Lakes with tagged fish in Spokane County include Badger, Bear, Clear, Liberty, West Medical and Williams, plus Fishtrap Lake in Lincoln County.

Lakes with tagged fish in Stevens County include Loon, Starvation and Waitts, plus Curlew Lake in Ferry County, Upper Lead King Lake in Pend Oreille County,

Also, Asotin Headgate County Park Pond and Golf Course Pond near Asotin and Garfield Pond in Whitman County are included.

Anglers who catch one of more than 700 tagged fish can also claim prizes provided by approximately 130 license dealers.

Details on where to claim prizes are online, wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/derby.