SHELTON’S HALEY GISH scores as usual on trout fishing’s local opening-day favorite, Benson Lake.

Lakes and streams of all sizes lure fisherfolk in Mason County. Each year the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) stocks many local lakes with rainbow trout. Some yield other species: cutthroat, kokanee, eastern brook trout, bass, perch and bullheads. Season is last Saturday in April through October 31 except for lakes noted as year-round.

Location coordinates refer to the map on this page.

TAHUYA PENINSULA lakes include:

Aldrich (E-3), 10 acres, fair to good for 8- to 10-inch rainbows; gated in September. Cady (E-3), 15 acres. Catch-and-release and fly fishing only; 7- to 13-inch cutthroat. No internal combustion engines. Open year-round. Clara (E-3) (Don Lake) between Aldrich and Cady, fair to good for rainbows 7-9 inches. One toilet; gated (hike in). Haven (F-2), 69 acres. Good to excellent for rainbows up to 12 inches, plus cutthroat. Triploid plant this year. Toilets. Howell, 9.6 acres (not on map: nine miles east of Belfair). Stocked annually with rainbow; gated (hike in). Maggie (E-3), 25 acres. Fair in spring for plants of legal rainbows. Boat launch and toilet. Coho salmon may be planted October-November; landlocked salmon rules apply. Robbins (E-3), 17 acres. Good for planted rainbows. Gated after September 16. Tee (E-3), 38 acres. Good for yellow perch and largemouth bass; triploid plant this year. Ramp and toilet. Tiger (G-2), 109 acres. Good for rainbows to 14 inches, some larger carryovers. Two toilets. Twin (F-2), 15 acres. Fair for rainbows to nine inches. Gate closes September 16. Wildberry (E-3), eight acres. Fair for rainbows to 11 inches. Wooten (F-2), 68 acres. Fair to good for rainbows to 10 inches, cutthroat, planted triploids. Ramp, toilets.

NORTH- AND MID-COUNTY:

Benson (F-4), 82 acres, fair for nine- to 11-inch rainbows and cutthroat, some big triploid rainbow. Boat launch and toilets. No motors. Devereaux (G-3), 94 acres. Fair to good in spring for planted rainbows; carryovers to five pounds; kokanee as water warms. No internal combustion engines. Boat launch and toilets. Limerick (E-4), 80 acres. Fair for planted rainbow and for bass later in summer; great for perch. Toilets. Mason (F-4), 995 acres. Best for kokanee in summer; also bass, bullheads and yellow perch. Shallow-draft access from county park. (Open year-round.) Phillips (F-5), 111 acres. Fair to good for eight- to 11-inch rainbows. Designated for triploids. Boat launch, toilets. Spencer (F-4), 230 acres. Good all summer for eight- to 10-inch rainbows, some larger carryovers; excellent largemouth bass spring and summer, trout again in fall. Boat launch, toilets. (Open year-round.) Trails End (F-3) (Prickett), 74 acres. Fair for rainbows to 10 inches. Toilet. (Year-round.)

SOUTH AND WEST COUNTY:

Isabella (D-6), 208 acres. Fair for rainbows up to 12 inches, and largemouth bass and other species. Boat launch, toilets. (Open year-round.) Island (D-5), 109 acres. Bass and a few large rainbows; some triploids this year. Boat launch, handicapped-accessible toilet, steep grade to lake. (Year-round.) Lost (C-7), 121 acres. Fair for seven- to nine-inch rainbows and kokanee. Toilets. Nahwatzel (B-5), 269 acres. Fair for rainbows 10-12 inches and some larger carryovers, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed sunfish as water warms. Boat launch, toilets. (Year-round.) Stump (B-6), 23 acres. Good for rainbows, some cutthroat, then bass as waters warm. No internal combustion engines.

NORTHWEST COUNTY:

Cushman (B-2), 4,000 acres. Good for late-season cutthroat and for kokanee as the water warms. Closed to taking Dolly Varden (bull trout). Toilet. (Open year-round.) Kokanee (Lower Cushman) (C-3), 150 acres. Look for early-season cutthroat, kokanee in later summer. Boat launch. (Open year-round.) Melbourne (D-2), near Cushman. 35 acres. Good to excellent for cutthroat to 14 inches, especially in fall. Price (D-2), 110 acres. Fine for big rainbows, cutthroat and eastern brook trout. Catch-and-release only; selective gear rules. Rose (C-3), nine acres, fair for seven- to nine-inch rainbows.

OTHER FRESH WATER:

Streams, beaver ponds and many upland lakes open June 1. Check state rules before you fish.

Get your fishing license,
know freshwater rules

To fish the lakes listed here, anyone 16 or older must have a valid freshwater license, available for $21.90 or, for non-Washingtonians, $43.80 at hundreds of dealers across the state, all WDFW offices or by telephone at 1-866-246-9453. Combination licenses for fresh- and salt-water fishing are available. Just passing through? One-day licenses are available. Resident or non-resident 15-year-olds receive a combination license for $7.67. Kids 14 and under fish free; fees are discounted for seniors and the disabled. Free with a fishing license is an Access Stewardship decal which must be displayed when parking at a WDFW access site at lakes, streams and wildlife viewing areas.

Fishers must have the appropriate license and know seasons and other rules. Call (360) 586-6129 or the fishing hotline (360) 902-2500. Check the Web site at www.wdfw.wa.gov.