Trout introduction creates new fishing opportunities in
Lake Stevens

BY PAM STEVENS | EDITOR Lake Stevens is the largest lake in Snohomish County and is well-known for its beautiful mountain views, dramatic sunsets and great skiing but unfortunately it is not famous for its abundance of fish. That is about to change with the help of Jim and Laurie Goerg and the Cooperative Trout Enhancement Program or CTEP and many other volunteers.

Goerg has lived in Lake Stevens for the past seven years and while sitting on his porch one morning he realized that the lake was completely void of fishing boats.

He and his wife Laurie determined to take on a community service project.

“We wanted to get more involved in the community and encourage the community to get more involved in the resource of Lake Stevens,” Goerg said.

They decided to investigate the fishery void and wanted to improve the fishing in the lake so they contacted Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and found out that they do a yearly plant of fingerling trout in the spring. Because these young fish usually stay close to the shore they are eaten by spawning bass or preying birds fairly quickly and few have a chance to grow.

“We went where we felt our best chance of success would be viable, the people at Troutlodge,” Goerg said.

Troutlodge is based in Sumner, Washington and has been in business for over 60 years. They produce what are called triploid trout.

Triploid trout have altered chromosomes and are sterile fish that use their energy for growth and not reproduction. This offers the potential for larger sized trout. Because they are sterile they can be introduced into the lake without genetic impact and they have better flesh quality.

On Friday, April 13 Troutlodge brought over 500 new trout to introduce into the waters of Lake Stevens adding to the 10,000 trout that were introduced last May.

The trout are as small as nine inches and up to seven pounds and will likely grow into trophy-sized fish.

Fishermen of all shapes and sizes gathered on the docks of Wyatt Park with their rods and reels and small fishing boats waited close by as the trout came barreling out of the truck and into the cold lake making quite a splash as they slid into the water.

The hope is that next year they can plant even more fish in the lake.

“If we continue doing a plant each year this fishery and community fishing opportunity could grow into a year round fishing program,” Groeg said.

Donations are needed to continue the work that the Groegs and CTEP have started.

You can make donations at Greg’s Custom Fishing Rods in downtown Lake Stevens or by mailing checks to Jim Goerg, 621 SR 9 NE, #A-16, Lake Stevens, 98258.

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