Hi folks,
I am looking for recommendations on some west side lakes to take my son to next week while he is on spring break. I realize the opener is in a couple of weeks but I don't feel like fighting the crowds this year.

So, looking for some lakes to hit next week and then maybe the week after the opener. I am located in North King / South Snohomish county. Prefer to keep the drive within ~2 hours or less. Fishing will be by 14' aluminum boat w/ electric motor. Gas motor is an option, though I like the quite of the electric.

Also any bait / lure recommendations for said lakes would be much appreaciated. Fishing will be still, trolling and casting. No fly fishing yet.

Thanks
Wayne

Decisions, decisions, decisions...........Check out WDFW's weekly stocking report HERE to help you make an informed
decision.

Chase that stocking truck!!

Another thing I have noticed is that with more lakes open year round there is not as much attention on opening day.My wife and I ended up with two beautiful lakes full of fish to our selves for the opening week end last year.I am going to try again on opening day this year!

You might try either Howard Lake or Martha Lake west of the Smokey Pt. I-5 exit and towards the end of Lakewood Road. These are the last two out of 8 to 10 lakes in this area. People tend to hit the ones closer to the freeway first. Even when Martha is the only year around lake open in the area (except for Gissburg Ponds), I've only seen light pressure on this lake. Howard is a small lake just to the southeast of Martha that I've heard is quite nice to fish. Haven't been there yet.

Still, Martha is about an hour from Seattle and holds big fish. I scored an 18" rainbow and a 16" hot on its heels not long ago. The lake also holds cutts and, I've been told, browns. At the time of that outing, I was one of two boats on the water, and that's typical for all the times I've been there--low pressure.

ceviche01. Howard is open on the last sunday of the month. Not now,but Loma is open and so is Silver lake. Martha lake up by Warm Beach just got stocked with 950 Triploids. Good info Huh.

Thanks guys. Any recommendations on bait / lures etc? How about line weight, leader length, weight set-ups etc? I know these are basic questions, but it has been quite a number of years since I have been fishing. I am looking forward to it. Especially now that my son is old enough that he can run the boat, tie his rig etc.

Now to find the old boat and trailer registration, get them renewed, get the fishing license, new lures, bait etc.

Hmmmm, hope the boat still floats .......

Thanks again
Wayne

Sounds like an adventure Wayne, good luck!