I think as far as Lake Wa goes and Sammamish for that matter, both could be world class cutthroat fisheries but not with the current regs.
Very cool to have native trout in such a urban setting. I'm not sure WDFW has a clue as to what the populations really are based on one discussion I had with them.
On Sammamish, you've got some guides taking out two clients and keeping 15 fish. Two client limits plus a guide limit.
The cutts also get a bad rap for eating the sockeye fry. Sure, stuff a lake with millions of hatchery fry and then ask the native fish not to do what they naturally do.....ridiculous.
The last sockeye fishery was what, 2006? Its a waste of Seattle taxpayer money when only one group gets to enjoy a fishery. I doubt there will ever be another sockeye fishery unless they come off that 350K escapement number.

As far as searun cutts go, I think the population is fairly stable. I do see some fluctuations in fish sizes over the years. I think some of the bigger, older fish phase out of the populations. Right now, I'm seeing a lot of various sizes in the fish I've been catching. It isn't always like that. It will be interesting to see what WDFW does the new native trout policy they've been having meeting about.
SF