Yeah, I like big trout as much as anyone, but it seems like when most people catch trout, they're talking about catching hatchery planters. Personally, I go for other types of fish, mostly spiny rays. Perch, crappies, large sunfish, catfish, ect. What good lakes are there around the south Puget Sound area with good fishing besides stocker trout?

The only one that I am familiar with is Mason. It has perch, bass, crappie(small, I wouldn't target them), kokanee. Access is via a small public ramp. The perch fishing can be very good.

On this web site, under "Features" - go to "Warm Water Fish". You'll find links to all the counties and then WDFW information on fish species in each lake. This will give you a good starting point. Find a few lakes and then follow the links to reports on those lakes to see how others have done. You may have to go back and search the archives as well. I know there are quite a few good spiny ray lakes around here. You'll have to do a little homework. I also have a book, Northwest Bass and Panfish Guide, that has nice information as well. Don't know if it's still in print.

Kapowsin,and Tanwax are both in the S. Sound area and both have good spiny ray fishing. Tanwax has a much better launch,it's free and has good parking.

Silver Lake in Cowlitz County is pretty hot for panfish right now.



stace

American Lake (Pierce) has a good assortment of fish.