OLYMPIA - Why not take a break from the holiday bustle and enjoy a relaxing day fishing for trout?

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has stocked Flowing Lake near Monroe with 5,000 hatchery rainbow trout, averaging 10-12 inches in length.

Justin Spinelli, regional fisheries biologist for WDFW, said Flowing Lake provides great fishing for both boat and bank anglers.

"This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a day out on the water fishing with family and friends during the holiday season," Spinelli said.

Flowing Lake is in the middle of the area known as Three Lakes, located north of Monroe. The lake is open to fishing year-round, and the daily limit for trout is five fish. For details, check the sport fishing rules pamphlet, available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/ .

WDFW's access site is located at the south end of the lake. More information on the access site is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/water_access/30507/ .

Parking for vehicles and boat trailers is limited, and a valid WDFW Vehicle Access Pass or Discover Pass must be visible in vehicles parked at the access site. For more information about the Vehicle Access Pass and the Discover Pass, visit WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/discoverpass/ .

The lake can also be accessed on the north shore at Flowing Lake County Park, where there is a $7 day-use fee.

Spinelli said Flowing Lake is just one of many lakes that have been stocked with rainbow trout this season. A list of those lakes, most of which were stocked in October, is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/attach/nov0713a_fish_plants.pdf .

To participate, all anglers 15 years of age and older must have a current Washington freshwater fishing license valid through March 31, 2014. Licenses can be purchased online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ ; by telephone at 1-866-246-9453; or at hundreds of license vendors across the state. For details on license vendor locations, visit WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/ .