Above, Pampa Pond, located on Highway 26 near LaCrosse, is a long-time favorite youth fishing locale. Below, Lasz Pond in Garfield is specifically designated as a fishing location for children 14 and younger.

Above, Pampa Pond, located on Highway 26 near LaCrosse, is a long-time favorite youth fishing locale.

Below, Lasz Pond in Garfield is specifically designated as a fishing location for children 14 and younger.

Gazette Staff

Finding a local Whitman County fishing pond for the kids isn't as easy as it once was, with the stories of the “ponds that were” becoming more common than those of ponds still fishable.

However, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks ponds on public lands around the state each spring with trout, and these make prime fishing spots for youngsters.

In Whitman County, Pampa Pond is the most well-known pond for youth-friendly angling. Pampa is located right along Highway 26 about three miles west of LaCrosse.

The vegetation is high and the tree coverage is minimal, but there are well-used trails all around the pond with plenty of spots for bank fishing. The lake itself is about two acres and is open from March 1 through Sept. 30. WDFW plants fish at Pampa February through April with a total of more than 6,000 rainbow trout. Optimal time to fish Pampa is spring, with fishing falling off in July and August but fair again in September for the end of the season.

A little off the beaten path is the lesser-known Lasz Pond, also known as Garfield Pond, between Garfield and Elberton. At only a half acre, the pond is much smaller than Pampa, and the secluded location is for anglers 14 and younger.

The current yearly spring fish plant in the pond is around 2,000 rainbow trout.

Although Garfield Pond is open year-round, the best bets are February through June, with other months of the year being better lessons in patience. Of note is that Garfield Pond is a WDFW Trout Fishing Derby Pond. Yellow tags on trout can be used to redeem prizes from local businesses.

Lasz Pond is located along Silver Creek on the Garfield-Elberton Road. The entry road to the pond is on the south side of the road across from the Partch road intersection.

Both ponds have a five trout daily keep limit, but if fishing with bait, even fish you throw back are counted in that limit. Children 14 and under do not need a license to fish or to participate in the Fishing Derby.

For more information on the Trout Fishing Derby, the most up-to-date fishing rules including minimum size and size limits for the specific ponds, and fish plants for area waters contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife or visit their website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing.