Selective lakes popular

Lenice Lake in Grant County has been a star attraction among Washington’s quality waters this year.

Listed in Washington’s fishing regulations pamphlet as “selective fisheries,” these waters are prized by catch-and-release anglers. They have special rules and often have longer seasons.

Among other restrictions, catch limits are just one or two fish a day and the use of bait and multiple hooks is prohibited. The rules permit fish to grow to sizes much larger than in lakes with more liberal regulations.

Lenice was hot for its March 1 opener and the pressure was heavy. State fish biologists say they will refresh the fishery with new plants of triploid rainbows this month.

Amber Lake, already open for catch-and-release fishing, stands out as Spokane County’s top quality water for rainbows and cutthroats.

Chopaka Lake, which opens April 24, is likely to be the darling of selective fisheries in late spring and in the fall. Rehabilitated in 2007, the Okanogan County lake was thrilling anglers with powerful 12- to 18-inch rainbows when the season closed last fall.

Little Twin Lake is another standout in Okanogan County this year.

Aeneas Lake should be just fair. It’s proposed for rehab this fall.