Fishing, Clamming, Crabbing

Fishing

Whidbey’s numerous lakes are ideal for fishing for largemouth bass or trout. Lone, Deer, Goss, Cranberry and Pass lakes are all stocked annually. Catch-and-release fly fishing at Whidbey’s Pass Lake is for serious fly fisher folks who enjoy donning waders and plunking down in float tubes. Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife has a map of freshwater fishing opportunities on Whidbey Island here.

Saltwater fishing, eather from the beach or by boat, is a great opportunity to catch several varieties of salmon, sturgeon, smelt, and other varieties. Puget Sound is divided into various regions. Notable regions here are:

• Region 6 – west side of north Whidbey Including Deception Pass
• Region 8-1 – between Whidbey Island and the mainland/Camano Island
• Region 8-2 – between Camano Island and the mainland
• Region 9 – west side of south Whidbey

Check here for more information from Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Crabbing

Catching a crab and cooking it there on the beach (or back home) is a great way to enjoy this seafood favorite. What can be fresher than taking it from the ocean yourself? Seasons, limits, and methods for catching crabs vary by season and location. The Washington Departent of Fish & Wildlife has detailed information on their website here.

Clams and Oysters

There are more than 40 public clam and oyster beaches on Whidbey and Camano Islands. Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains an interactive map and list of the locations along with seasons and other regulations. Go to their website here…

Digging for Dinner

If you’ve never dug for clams and oysters, the Whidbey Beach Watchers presents a series of “how-to” classes on area beaches. Here’s a sample of the class taught by beach watcher Gene Thrasher.