New in Thurston County

[justin.garner2]

Hello everyone! My family and I just moved up to Olympia from Topeka, KS and we're pretty avid fishing fans! The problem is we're used to catfishing, and from what I'm told the catfishing isn't too hot up here. We'd really like to get together with a local fisherman and learn the in's and out's of fishing in the northwest. So if you have any tips or hot spots you'd like to post here go for it! Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from anybody!!!

[fishaholictaz]

Offut lake resort is a great spot to start out. The people there will help you find the fish. If you are going to head that direction send me a pm and I will fill you in.

here is the link to their web site link tell them fishaholictaz sent you:cheers:

[mav186]

Welcome Justin...hope you find this site as enjoyable as I have...there's some great talent here. The only real catfishing I have done was not considered 'local'...it was the Snake River, down at Farewell Bend...and it was FUUUUNN!

[Rich McVey]

Welcome Justin. My wife and I both used to live down around Topeka a few years back. TONS of good cat fishin down there for sure.

You might want to look at the Washington State Fishing Prospects phamphlet the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife puts out.

Rich

[kevinb]

Welcome aboard Justin.

I know very little about good catfish lakes but one that I know of is Harts Lake,a stones throw into Pierce County.
Its a year round lake.

http://washingtonlakes.com/LakeInfo.aspx?id=52&t=1

http://washingtonlakes.com/ReportList.aspx?id=52&t=1 on page 4,theirs a good pic of a nice catfish

I fish here but have always gone after bass but I certainly will have to try going for cats too.

Good luck

Kevin

[jens]

You moved to a great county for a plethora of fishing(I live here too). Like others have mentioned above, Offut Lake, Harts Lake, you can try St. Clair, Black Lake. When the rivers start slowing down, I usually have an open seat in my boat. Welcome aboard.

[basspro]

Welcome Justin,

All the big cats live in the south but there are some here just not as big. However there is good salmon, steelhead, and bass fishing up here that you might want to check out.

Russ

[salmonslayer117]

Welcome to the great state of Washington justin. You picked a good one as far as fishing is concerned. There's a few cats around here and there and not near the size you're used to I'm sure, but ahhh, there's so much more than that here! Salmon, Steelhead, Trout, Bass, Walleye, Perch, Sturgeon, and on and on and on! Lakes and rivers a plenty in these parts, not to mention the Puget Sound which is a great saltwater fishery. Only a short hop to the Washington coast where it can be really fun at times! Just get yourself a copy of the regs and do a little research, figure out what you want to go after and get that dialed in then jump in the water! I'm sure you'll love it out here! Glad to have you aboard. Enjoy the site, lots of great people and info here (I haven't found a better one myself!). Check out some of the rivers up here if you really enjoy a good challenge. There's a handful that offer almost year-round opportunities to fish (Cowlitz is a good one). Good luck out there! Hope to hear some great reports from you soon!

[fishaholictaz]

I saw Offut lake's newest report and you got to get out there and talk to Rob. Those cutthroat they are catching right now are a blast on light tackle.