Thousands of trout headed for Offutt Lake lost when delivery truck overturns

In a significant setback for local fish stocking efforts, over 7,500 fingerling rainbow trout were lost when a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife truck overturned while en route to Offut Lake on Tuesday. The incident occurred around 11:40 a. m. at the intersection of Old Highway 99 Southeast and Offut Lake Road, prompting a swift response from local fire crews and the Sheriff’s Office. The driver, a WDFW employee, was treated for minor injuries, and first responders worked to clear the scene, which was closed for about three hours.

Despite this loss, WDFW successfully delivered 2,000 fingerling rainbow trout to the lake later that day and plans to replace the lost fish. This annual stocking is part of an initiative to promote outdoor activities during the post-Thanksgiving holiday, particularly for Black Friday fishing. The cause of the truck's overturn is still under investigation, with no other vehicles involved. This event highlights the logistical challenges faced by wildlife agencies in their conservation efforts.