After checking the latest trout stocking report, it looks like Cranberry Lake received a planting of 5,100 brown trout March 7.

What better way to get in a little early action before the big April opener. There are plenty of areas where you can fish from the shore so you do not need a boat.

Power bait, worms or spinners are probably the most popular techniques, but there are plenty of others to try as well. Be sure to get out to Cranberry Lake soon before all the birds get the large majority of the fish that were planted.

Pass Lake also received a planting of approximately 2,900 brown trout so if you have ever wanted to get out there and learn the water, this would be a perfect time to give it a try.

The newly-planted fish are not as shy as some of the larger ones in the lake and these fresh fish will give you a chance to figure out where the lunkers are hiding.

Once spring gets here, look for the bass action to pick up on Campbell Lake. You can get out there and try to catch a nice size triploid as it is the closest lake the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has stocked with them.

As for the salt, you can’t beat the action in the San Juan Islands right now. When the weather permits anglers to get out there the action has been pretty good.

Thatcher Pass, Walden Island, Lopez Flats and the north side of Orcas Island all have been yielding limits for anglers venturing out on the big water.

On the average, the north end of Orcas Island has produced larger fish. Anglers intercepting fish on their way up to the Frasier River have been rewarded with fish in the mid to upper 20-pound range.

Look for eddy current around points where the bait will congregate. Spoons, hoochies and cut plug herring are all producing.

Herring is more popular the farther north you go, but down lower in Area 7, use either spoons or hoochies. Keep them at a depth were you are marking bait. If you are not marking bait then vary your depth and keep it near the bottom and hold on.

Lots of things are coming up next month as well so be sure to get you new license.

Halibut and the annual trout opener are just two of them kicking off in the month of April. I will be sure to give you the reports as soon as they come in.

In May, even more angling opportunities will open up.

Although early, I must admit I have been dreaming of some great pink salmon action. Of course that was after reading the WDFW salmon return projections.

I love taking my kids out and watching their faces light up when they hook into one, especially when they have a Snoopy or a Barbie pole in their hands.

One thing of interest was the projected return of pinks to the Frasier River.

It boggles the mind to think that the entire Puget Sound is projected to receive somewhere over 3 million pinks whereas the Frasier itself is projected to receive over four times that many.

Enough of that. Just something to get you excited during all the gloomy weather we have been experiencing in the past few weeks.

Until next time send your reports, pictures or comments to me at whidbey_fff@yahoo.com.