08-08-2008, 11:10 AM
North Puget Sound
Fishing: Anglers fishing for hatchery chinook salmon in Admiralty Inlet have been racking up some of the highest catch rates of the season, but time is running out. With the 4,000-fish catch guideline fast approaching, Marine Area 9 is now scheduled to close for retention of all chinook salmon at the end of the day Sunday, Aug. 10.
At the same time, the portion of area 9 south of a line from Foulweather Bluff to Ollele Point that was closed during the chinook fishery to protect mid-Hood Canal Chinook, will also re-open for hatchery coho, pink , and sockeye salmon .
"The mark-selective fishery for chinook around Port Townsend has been hot since the first week of August," said Steve Thiesfeld, a WDFW fish biologist. "We've been encouraging anglers to get out while they can."
Thiesfeld noted that anglers at several boat ramps in the area have been averaging more than one hatchery chinook salmon for every two rods. Marine Area 9, which extends from Point Wilson/Patridge Point southeast to Apple Cove Point/Edwards Point will remain open for marked, hatchery coho after the closure of the retention fishery for chinook salmon.
Meanwhile, the mark-selective fishery for chinook salmon in Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) is scheduled to remain open through Aug. 15 or until the overall quota is reached, whichever comes first, Thiesfeld said. Fishing has been slower there, but anglers are still picking up some nice hatchery chinook - and hatchery coho, too, he said.
"Last Saturday (Aug. 2), anglers actually brought more hatchery coho to the ramp at Shilshole Bay than chinook," Thiesfeld said. "These resident coho provide a nice bonus and sometimes save the day."
Thiesfeld reminds anglers that regulations vary for inner Elliott Bay, Sinclair Inlet and public fishing piers in those marine areas. Check the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ) for more information.
Since the season began, anglers fishing in marine areas 9 and 10 have been allowed to keep hatchery chinook - marked with a clipped adipose fin - as part of a two salmon daily limit, but must release wild chinook. Those fishing Marine Area 9 also must release wild coho, chum salmon and - after Aug. 10 - any chinook salmon they intercept. Anglers fishing in Marine Area 10 must release chum as well as wild chinook.
When releasing salmon, anglers should keep the fish in the water and avoid using a net, Thiesfeld said. If a net is needed, use a rubber net or a soft knotless nylon or cotton net.
Meanwhile, the crab fishery is going strong in marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner), 9, 10, and the eastern and southern portion of 7. Fisheries in those areas are open on a Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule, plus the entire Labor Day weekend. See WDFW's sport-crabbing website ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/ ) for more information.
Hunting: Bear and cougar general hunting seasons are under way. Hunters are allowed two cougar during the season, which runs through March 15, 2009. Hunters are also allowed two bear during the general season (Aug. 1-Nov. 15), but only one bear can be taken in eastern Washington. Check the Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm ) for details.
Wildlife Viewing: Several sightings of orca whales have been reported in recent weeks. The whales have been traveling the waters of Haro Strait, between San Juan Island and Victoria, British Columbia. Even a "superpod," made up of members of J, K and L pods, was rumored to be in the area. One whalewatcher, who spotted about 45 killer whales off Saturna Island, speculated the group was about half of that superpod. "They were very active, often reversing direction, possibly feeding in Boundary Pass," according to the report on the Orca Network website ( http://www.orcanetwork.org/sightings/map.html ).
Elsewhere, an unidentified 16 to 20 foot whale was spotted by several people at Fort Ward State Park on the south end of Bainbridge Island. The whale was swimming in shallow water near a dock and displaying odd behavior, as well as trying to breach, according to the report.
Meanwhile, there are still numerous baby birds for birders to enjoy - at least at Marymoor Park. The "awwww" factor was high during a recent visit to the park, according to a report on Tweeters website ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ). The highlight was three baby western wood-pewees . The birds were sitting on a branch among the Oregon Ash trees near the east end of the boardwalk. The birders also spotted a number of other species, including a western tanager , three hairy woodpeckers , a Caspian tern and a turkey vulture .
South Sound/Olympic Peninsula
Fishing: As the salmon season approaches mid-point, the coming weeks are prime time to try for salmon along the south coast and Puget Sound. While crab fishing is still going strong, salmon anglers can also try their luck on several area rivers.
Salmon anglers on the south coast (marine areas 1 and 2) are having fair success this season, although fishing effort remains low, said Wendy Beeghley, WDFW fish biologist. "Some folks are getting their limits, but the average has been about one fish per person at both Ilwaco and Westport," Beeghley said.
On the bright side, Beeghley noted that chinook continue to make up a good portion of the catch, while the area is also producing some good-sized coho . "Coho are averaging eight to ten pounds, and we've seen some that were pushing the 14-pound mark," she said. "Chinook have been averaging up to 15 pounds, and we've checked some fish going up to 40 pounds. They're not common, but we're seeing a few of them."
In Ilwaco, anglers have recently been catching about one chinook for every four coho, Beeghley said. "Traditionally, chinook catches in that area pick up in August," she said.
In Westport, the catch has been evenly split between chinook and coho, with no sign that chinook fishing is slowing down, Beeghley said.
Along the north coast (marine areas 3 and 4) angler effort continues to be light. Those who did venture out at La Push over the Aug. 2 weekend immediately returned to shore because of bad weather, said Scott Barbour. Around the corner in Neah Bay, calmer weather allowed more anglers to get out, he said.
However, overall turnout was still low and few who went out got their two-fish limit, Barbour said. "People should be starting to catch more coho, but the numbers aren't there," Barbour said. "Anglers are averaging about one fish for every two rods in both areas, with the catch almost evenly divided between coho and chinook," he said.
Ilwaco and Westport are open for salmon fishing Sundays through Thursdays; La Push and Neah Bay are open Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Anglers fishing those areas may keep two chinook, two coho or a combination of each as part of their two-fish daily limit. The minimum size for chinook is 24 inches and 16 inches for coho. All wild coho must be released. Anglers fishing east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line in Marine Area 4B (Neah Bay) may retain hatchery coho only. All chinook, all wild coho and chum must be released.
Anglers planning to launch their boats in South Bend are advised of an error in the Willapa River listing in the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet. The boat launch referenced as the downstream boundary for the Willapa River fishery is operated by Pacific County, not WDFW. For that reason, anglers using that facility should be prepared to pay a launch fee.
Along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, chinook retention ends Aug. 10 in marine areas 5 and 6 (Sekiu/Port Angeles), but both areas remain open for retention of hatchery coho and sockeye salmon . Anglers are reminded that handling rules are in effect and all chum, chinook and wild coho must be released. The salmon fisheries in marine areas 5 and 6 are open daily with a two-fish daily limit.
While fishing remains fair to good in northern Puget Sound, anglers continue to come up short in Marine Area 11 (Point Defiance/Vashon Island), said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. "Fishing this summer is slower than last year, but right now we don't know if the run is just late or the fish are coming in below forecast."
Thiesfeld recommended that anglers try new areas such as southern Puget Sound (Marine Area 13) or Hood Canal (Marine Area 12), where the fishing has picked up recently. No matter the choice, anglers should head out soon, he said.
"The next two weeks are traditionally prime time for catching chinook in Puget Sound, and people shouldn't miss the opportunity," Thiesfeld said.
Anglers considering Hood Canal are reminded that fishing is restricted to south of Ayock Point until Sept. 1, although Dabob Bay opens for coho salmon fishing Aug. 16.
Area rivers may also be an option for salmon anglers. The Skokomish River in southern Hood Canal is now open and anglers can fish from the mouth of the river to the U.S. Highway 101 bridge. The daily limit is one salmon; all chum must be released.
In northern Hood Canal, the Quilcene River opens Aug. 16 from Rodgers Street to the U. S. Highway 101 Bridge. Thiesfeld said fishing is generally slow at the start, but picks up towards September when rainfall raises the river level and stimulates the fish to begin moving upstream. "Labor Day is generally the peak of the fishery," he said.
The fishery is open seven days a week through Oct. 31. The daily limit is four coho only, with a minimum size of 12 inches. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.
The Puyallup River, which empties into Commencement Bay, also opens Aug. 16.
Anglers are advised to check the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ) for more information on regulations and handling rules in each marine area.
For those interested in winning a boat, some cash or just getting out, two derbies in the 14-event Northwest Salmon Derby Series are coming up in Puget Sound. On Aug. 9, participants in the Gig Harbor Salmon Derby can try for the $1,000 first prize for catching the largest chinook or coho salmon. For more information, contact psa-gh07derby@earthlink.net .
The eighth annual Hood Canal Salmon Derby will be held on Aug. 16 and 17. Tickets are $25 a piece and participants can try for a first prize of $1,000. The kids' derby is free. Weigh-ins will be at the Sunrise Motel near Hoodsport. Contact Brian Johnson at 360-790-6589 or briantoni@comcast.com .
All participants in both derbies will be entered in a raffle for a 23-foot welded aluminum fishing boat and trailer, while kids will be entered into a raffle for a 14-foot boat, motor and trailer. For more information, visit http://www.discovernorthwestfishing.com .
In other derby news, The Westport/Grayland Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Summer Beach Perch Fishing Derby Aug. 9 along the beaches off Westport. The event starts at sunrise with weigh-in scheduled for 4 p.m. at Angler Charters at 2401 Westhaven Drive - across from Float 8 at the Westport Marina. The entry fee is $20 and all participants must have a valid state fishing license. The top four anglers will share a percentage of total ticket sales; other prizes are also available. Participants can register for the derby at www.anglercharters.net . Call 1-800-345-6223 for more information.
Recreational crab fishing is open Wednesdays through Saturdays in marine areas 6,7-South/East, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 11, and 12 through Sept. 1. Crabbing is open seven days a week in marine areas 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu) and 13 (south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) through Jan. 2.
Marine Area 7 North (Lummi Island/Blaine) will open Aug. 13, Wednesdays through Saturdays, plus Labor Day weekend.
The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five male Dungeness crab with a shell width measuring at least 6¼ inches, plus six red rock crab of either sex with a shell width of at least 5 inches. All undersized crab, female Dungeness crab and all softshell crab of either sex must be returned to the water.
Puget Sound crab fishers are required to record their Dungeness crab catch on two separate catch record cards - one for the summer season and one for the fall/winter season. They also have the option of mailing in their catch cards or reporting on the Internet. Additional information is available on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crabreg/crabindex .
The only recreational halibut fishery remaining open on an ongoing basis is the nearshore fishery in Marine Area 2 (Westport), which is open Fridays and Saturdays.
Hunting: Bear and cougar general hunting seasons are under way. Hunters are allowed two cougar during the season, which runs through March 15, 2009. Hunters are also allowed two bear during the general season (Aug. 1-Nov. 15), but only one bear can be taken in eastern Washington. Check the Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm ) for details.
Wildlife viewing: Spectacular views, crisp air and blooming wild flowers are bringing thousands of summer visitors to Mount Rainier this summer. Hikers and wildlife viewers are taking to the many trails that start at the Sunrise Visitor Center on the eastern side of the mountain in search of views and alpine wildlife. A prize sighting is the white-tailed ptarmigan , which is a small grouse that makes it home in alpine habitat. Recent visitors on the Skyline Trail reported seeing two ptarmigan families accompanied by several offspring. The ptarmigan, which turns totally white in winter, is streaked brown and gray during the summer. Hikers also noted rosy finch, American pipit and rufous hummingbird .
On the coast in Pacific County, birders reporting on the Tweeters website ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ) were pleased to find two rarities - elegant terns flying among the many Caspian terns at Graveyard Spit at Tokeland and a Hudsonian godwit at the Tokeland Marina.
Southwest Washington
Fishing: The Buoy 10 salmon fishery near the mouth of the Columbia River got off to a characteristically slow start Aug. 1, but is expected to pick up in the days ahead. Meanwhile, anglers continue to reel in hatchery steelhead from waters both above and below Bonneville Dam.
Salmon were scarce during the first few days of fishing at Buoy 10, but that's not uncommon for that fishery, said Joe Hymer, WDFW fish biologist. "Buoy 10 often starts slow, then ramps up quickly and peaks around late August," he said. "I expect we'll see a similar pattern this year."
To track the fishery's progress, anglers can check daily catch-sampling summaries posted on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regions/reg5/buoy10.htm . The site also includes links to area web cameras, along with marine forecasts and information on water temperatures and salinity.
Under this year's rules, anglers will have the entire month of August - plus Labor Day (Sept. 1) - to catch and retain chinook salmon 16 miles downriver from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line to the mouth of the Columbia. There's a limit of two salmon per day, of which only one may be a chinook. Wild coho, chum and sockeye must be released.
With 32 days to catch and keep chinook at Buoy 10, anglers should do considerably better there this year than last, when the retention season was limited to just 12 days, Hymer said. On the other hand, anglers will be required to release all chinook salmon intercepted from Rocky Point/Tongue Point to Bonneville Dam, except during a retention fishery set for September 1-16.
Fishing seasons for both areas were designed to conserve ESA-listed chinook salmon bound for the Lewis and Snake rivers, while focusing fishing effort on abundant upriver brights returning to hatcheries above Bonneville and wild fish headed for the Hanford Reach, said Cindy LeFleur, WDFW Columbia River policy coordinator.
"The goal is to target those healthy upriver hatchery stocks, which tend to bite well when they first enter the river," LeFleur said. "We're also expecting a strong return of chinook reared in net pens in select areas throughout the lower river."
In all, 376,800 adult fall chinook are expected to return to the Columbia River this year, compared to 219,600 last year.
Then again, chinook salmon aren't the only fish in anglers' sights right now. During the first three days of August, 416 anglers checked below Bonneville Dam had 56 hatchery steelhead . Catch rates were higher in the Bonneville Pool, where anglers averaged two hatchery steelies for every three rods. But the best steelhead fishing was found on the Cowlitz River and at Drano Lake, where boat anglers averaged three-quarters of a fish per rod. On the Cowlitz, the fish were sampled at the trout hatchery and Mission Bar boat ramps.
As in the mainstem Columbia, new fishing rules were adopted this year during the North of Falcon season-setting process to conserve chinook salmon in several area tributaries. The following rules took effect Aug. 1:
* Lewis River and fall chinook sanctuary: Anglers are required to release all chinook salmon intercepted on the Lewis River, where wild chinook returns are expected to reach only about half of the 5,700-fish escapement goal. The requirement to release chinook is in effect in the Lewis River, the North Fork Lewis River and in an eight-mile area of the Columbia River near the mouth of the river that is defined in the fishing rule pamphlet. Fishing for hatchery coho and hatchery steelhead remains open, but fishing from boats is prohibited on the North Fork Lewis from Johnson Creek upstream to Merwin Dam to minimize chinook handling.
* Cowlitz and Toutle Rivers: Anglers must continue to release all chinook - except marked, hatchery-reared jacks - because hatchery returns are not expected to meet management goals. Anglers may still retain hatchery steelhead and hatchery coho caught in both rivers.<br />
* Kalama, Washougal, Wind and White Salmon rivers, plus Drano Lake: Anglers may retain any adult chinook salmon, but must release any wild, unmarked chinook jacks they encounter.
"All of the new rules are included in the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet," said Pat Frazier, regional WDFW fish manager. "Anglers should make a point to check them out before they hit the water."
Frazier noted that the new mark-selective fisheries for chinook jacks reflect the fact that - for the first time - all chinook jacks returning to hatcheries in the Columbia River Basin are marked with a clipped adipose fin.
"The immediate benefit is that anglers will have an opportunity to catch and retain marked chinook jacks on a number of rivers," he said. "In doing so, they'll actually benefit wild chinook by getting hatchery fish off the spawning grounds."
Meanwhile, anglers recently caught a few legal-size white sturgeon between the Wauna powerlines and Bonneville Dam - the only area of the lower Columbia River still open for retention fishing. Sturgeon may be retained Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through the end of the year.
Also, boat anglers fishing in the Camas/Washougal area have been catching walleye and smallmouth bass . There have also been reports of anglers catching good-sized kokanee on Yale Reservoir.
Hunting: Bear and cougar general hunting seasons are under way. Hunters are allowed two cougar during the season, which runs through March 15, 2009. Hunters are also allowed two bear during the general season (Aug. 1-Nov. 15), but only one bear can be taken in eastern Washington. Check the Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm ) for details.
Wildlife watching: Summer steelhead currently dominate the stage at the Washington shore Visitor Complex at Bonneville Dam, passing by the viewing window at a rate of about 4,000 per day. But that will change, if history is any guide, during the coming weeks as fall chinook begin to arrive en masse. Soon fat king salmon will outnumber the more streamlined steelhead, not to mention the shad, sockeye salmon and other fish still visible through the glass.
For a front-row seat on the changing of the guard, stop by the Visitor Complex off Washington State Highway 14. Go east to Milepost 40 (about five miles from Stevenson) and turn into the parking lot at the end of the powerhouse. To look through the viewing window online, see https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/b/fishcam.asp .
A Clark County birder is monitoring a different type of migration. Returning home to Battle Ground after several weeks away, he noted several warbling vireos a few yards north of his yard, followed several days later by two lazuli buntings . Next he saw several crossbills fly past, then a pine siskin and several Swainson's thrushes . "It's a bit early for a night flight, but I may listen a bit tonight," the birder wrote in a posting on the Tweeters birding website ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ).
Eastern Washington
Fishing: Lake Roosevelt rainbow trout fishing is good, reported Perry Harvester, WDFW habitat biologist, who recently spent time on the big reservoir off Grand Coulee Dam. Rainbows are running between 12 and 22 inches, with good numbers of 19 to 22-inch fish that weigh between three and four pounds.
"Use large, worm-tipped flies such as muddler minnows behind flashers, dodgers, or pop gear," Harvester advised. "Troll 35-40 feet down in water between 75 and 110 feet deep and vary your speed. Bring a cooler and ice to keep your fish fresh in the hot weather."
Harvester said the best thing about Lake Roosevelt fishing at this time of year is that there's virtually no competition, at least between Grand Coulee Dam and Hawk Creek near Seven Bays, in Lincoln County north of Davenport.
Fishing during early morning hours or at night at almost any trout water in the region is good now, especially smaller lakes up north and around Spokane, said Chris Donley, WDFW fish biologist. "The lower Spokane River has nice rainbows and browns, but river anglers need to be aware of catch limits, gear restrictions, and other rules listed in the fishing pamphlet," Donley said.
Yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie , and other warmwater fish species are also a good bet now at many mixed fisheries including Coffeepot Lake in Lincoln County, Downs Lake in southwest Spokane County, Eloika Lake in north Spokane County, and the Spokane River reservoir of Long Lake and Deer and Waitts lakes in Stevens County.
Kokanee fishing in southern Stevens County's Loon Lake remains steady, said Jason McLellan, WDFW fish biologist, who recently caught his ten-fish limit in a couple of hours of trolling. Most of the kokanee are "cookie cutter" 12-inchers, he said, but there are a few bigger fish to catch, too. Jigging for Loon Lake's kokanee at night also remains good.
Juli Anderson, WDFW's Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area manager, reported that both the West and East lakes on the property in Lincoln County have dried up completely and fish aren't even biting at Z Lake.
Wildlife viewing: Huckleberries are abundant this year throughout the region's mountains and pickers are sharing favorite patches with lots of berry-loving wildlife, including bears . Al Palmanteer, WDFW habitat biologist, recommended that people be alert about bears and minimize the chance of problems by announcing their presence in a berry patch to avoid surprising a bear. Palmanteer also noted that mosquitoes are almost as thick as berries this year and advised using repellents to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile virus.<br />
Woody Myers, WDFW wildlife biologist, reminded drivers through deer country to be observant of increased activity of whitetailed and mule deer does and fawns, especially during morning and evening hours.
Myers also noted that warm summer evenings are a good time to listen for owls hooting and poorwills calling. "Watch for gathering flocks of some songbird species, like blackbirds and swallows , which include this summer's production," he said. "Many of these young birds are now flying and will soon be concentrating at staging areas in anticipation of the coming fall migration."
Juli Anderson, WDFW's Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area manager, reported seeing good numbers of mule deer on the property in Lincoln County. "We're also seeing lots of kestrels around," she said. "It looks like they had a good hatch this spring."
North Central Washington
Fishing: Lake Wenatchee sockeye salmon fishing finally opened August 6. The long-anticipated special season is the first one in four years, thanks to an abundant run of the big, bright fish, said Jeff Korth, WDFW north central region fish program manager.
"The fishery will continue on a daily basis until a harvestable quota has been taken, but it could close on short notice." Korth said. By Aug. 5, more than 24,000 sockeye were counted at Tumwater Dam on the Wenatchee River, above the spawning escapement goal of 23,000 fish.
The daily limit per angler is two sockeye with a minimum size of 12 inches. Sockeye with a colored plastic tag near the dorsal fin, and all bull trout, steelhead and chinook salmon must be released without removing fish from the water. Selective gear rules are in effect for Lake Wenatchee, although fishing from a boat equipped with a motor is allowed. These rules include no more than three barbless hooks, no bait nor scent, and a requirement for the use of knotless nets for landing fish. A night closure is also in effect for the sockeye fishery, with legal angling hours one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Korth noted there is very limited access on Lake Wenatchee. A small, primitive boat launch on U.S. Forest Service property and a boat launch at Lake Wenatchee State Park are available but parking is limited.
Art Viola, WDFW fish biologist, also noted summer chinook salmon fishing opened on the Entiat River in Chelan County Aug. 1 and will run through the end of the month. Fishing is allowed from the Alternate U.S. Highway 97 Bridge near the mouth of the Entiat River, upstream to the posted sign marking the Entiat City limits. The daily limit is six summer chinook salmon, minimum size 12 inches. Only two adults may be retained. Bull trout, coho and steelhead must be released unharmed. A non-buoyant lure restriction and night closure are in effect.
Bob Jateff, WDFW fish biologist, reported that salmon fishing on the mainstem Columbia River above Wells Dam has been slow. "Those chinook being caught, however, are in the 15 to 20 pound range, along with sockeye up to four pounds," Jateff said. "Most anglers use a trolled herring or super bait packed with tuna fish. Just remember that once the daily limit of two adult salmon is retained, you can not continue to fish for salmon."
Jateff also noted the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers opened Aug. 2 for salmon fishing. Open areas include the Okanogan River from the U.S. Highway 97 Bridge just upstream from the mouth to the U.S. Highway 97 Bridge in Oroville, and the Similkameen River from the mouth to the Highway 7 Bridge in Oroville. There is a non-buoyant rule restriction and night closure in effect for all species on these rivers during the salmon season. Daily limit is six salmon, only two of which can be adult salmon. Sockeye can be retained but count as part of the two adult daily limit.
Jateff reported the Methow River continues to have pretty good fishing as the river has dropped into shape for anglers wishing to wade. "Fly fishermen are doing well on hopper patterns and stimulators," he said. "This is a catch and release fishery only under selective gear rules."
The Twisp River, from the mouth to War Creek, the Chewuch River, from the mouth to Eight Mile Creek, and the Methow River, from Foghorn Dam to Weeman Bridge will close to all fishing on Aug. 16. The remaining portions of the Methow River will stay open until Sept 30.
Wildlife viewing: Scott Fitkin, WDFW wildlife biologist, reported wildlife and wild flower viewing in the alpine areas of Okanogan County is good at this time of year. "There are lots of small mammals like hoary marmots, Columbian ground squirrels, pikas , and golden mantled ground squirrels ," he said. "There's also the possibility of seeing ptarmigan in their camouflage coloration if you look carefully. Mountain goats and bears are also occasionally seen."
Fitkin says good viewing locations include the Pacific Crest Trail, accessed from the Hart's Pass/Slate Peak Road, the Maple Pass Trail accessed from Rainy Pass, the Cutthroat Pass Trail accessed from Rainy Pass or Cutthroat Lake trailhead, or Twisp Pass accessed by a trail from the end of the Twisp River Road. Fitkin noted that wildlife viewers in the Twisp Pass area should keep eyes and ears open for the newly-discovered wolves , although chances or seeing or hearing the elusive animals are probably low.
South Central Washington
Fishing: Paul Hoffarth, WDFW fish biologist, reported that walleye fishing is in full swing in the Columbia River near the Tri-Cities. "Walleye are being caught in Lake Umatilla from Plymouth to Boardman," he said. "The Hanford Reach has produced some excellent catches this year, as has the Columbia and Snake rivers around the Tri-Cities area."
Hoffarth also said summer steelhead are already returning in good numbers and a few anglers are reporting some catches. The Columbia River is currently open for steelhead up to the U.S. Highway 395 bridge (Blue Bridge) in Pasco/Kennewick. The Snake River and the Columbia River boundary waters at the confluence of the Snake are closed but will open Sept. 1.
The summer/fall chinook sport fishery is open above the U.S. Highway 395 bridge in Pasco/Kennewick upstream to Priest Rapids Dam and will remain open through Oct. 22. Catch has been slow for chinook in the Tri-Cities but should pick up by mid-September.
The Columbia River from Bonneville to Priest Rapids Dam opened Aug. 1 for fall chinook. Anglers should check the fishing rules pamphlet for information on bag limits and restrictions.
Jim Cummins, WDFW fish biologist, recommended heading for the mountains to fish for cutthroat, rainbow and eastern brook trout in the high lakes.
"Be prepared for bugs, especially mosquitoes, and for more than usual amounts of snow at the highest elevation lakes," he said. "I encourage anglers to limit harvest and practice catch-and-release, except at those lakes that are over-populated with eastern brook trout, or where they want to eat a couple of fish in camp.
"For catch-and-release fishing, I like to use a fly and bubble. Place a plastic float (bubble) above a swivel, attach about five feet of two-pound test leader, and tie on a small size 12-14 fly. Flies that imitate mayflies and caddisflies, including a variety of bead head nymphs, can be very effective. I discourage people from releasing bait-caught trout because survival of released fish is poor, compared to those caught on flies and lures." Cummins said the WDFW Primer for High Lakes is a good starting point for choosing a lake to fish and is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regions/reg3/highlakes.pdf .
Rivers, streams and small creeks are another good bet for anglers, Cummins said. Many streams have special regulations, such as selective gear rules (no bait, single barbless hook) and the general catch limit is two fish over eight inches in length. There are a number of exceptions, such as the 12-inch minimum length on the Naches River, and catch-and-release on the upper Yakima, part of the Naches, and Rattlesnake Creek. Cutthroat trout are the dominant species at higher elevations and rainbow are most often encountered at lower elevations rivers and streams. Several rivers are closed to protect bull trout and salmon. Anglers should check regulations before fishing.
"Kokanee are being caught in Yakima Basin Reservoirs, particularly at Rimrock Reservoir," Cummins said. "Mackinaw or lake trout are present in Cle Elum Reservoir. Although reservoir water levels are higher than normal this late in the season, they will be dropping rapidly the rest of this summer."
Cummins reminded anglers to carefully release any bull trout, steelhead and salmon that are caught incidental to trout fishing. Bull trout, steelhead, and salmon cannot be harvested in the Yakima River Basin at this time. Salmon seasons are closed in the Yakima until fall chinook and coho salmon season opens on part of the lower river on Sept. 1. Part of the American River is closed to protect spawning spring chinook salmon and bull trout.
Wildlife viewing: Pete Lopushinksy, WDFW Colockum Wildlife Area manager, recommended a slow drive over Colockum Pass from Wenatchee to Ellensburg to look for elk and elk calves around the Arthur Coffin Game Reserve. "The reserve is closed to actual entry, but you can drive by and look," he said. "The elk cows and calves are grouped up at this time of year and it's common to see groups of 50 to 100 elk. It's a nice time of year to be up there. It tops out at 5,300 feet in elevation, so it's cooler on these hot summer days." Lopushinksy reminded wildlife viewers that the Colockum Pass road is very rocky and rough. "A high clearance vehicle is best," he said, "but just take your time and a spare tire."
Fishing: Anglers fishing for hatchery chinook salmon in Admiralty Inlet have been racking up some of the highest catch rates of the season, but time is running out. With the 4,000-fish catch guideline fast approaching, Marine Area 9 is now scheduled to close for retention of all chinook salmon at the end of the day Sunday, Aug. 10.
At the same time, the portion of area 9 south of a line from Foulweather Bluff to Ollele Point that was closed during the chinook fishery to protect mid-Hood Canal Chinook, will also re-open for hatchery coho, pink , and sockeye salmon .
"The mark-selective fishery for chinook around Port Townsend has been hot since the first week of August," said Steve Thiesfeld, a WDFW fish biologist. "We've been encouraging anglers to get out while they can."
Thiesfeld noted that anglers at several boat ramps in the area have been averaging more than one hatchery chinook salmon for every two rods. Marine Area 9, which extends from Point Wilson/Patridge Point southeast to Apple Cove Point/Edwards Point will remain open for marked, hatchery coho after the closure of the retention fishery for chinook salmon.
Meanwhile, the mark-selective fishery for chinook salmon in Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) is scheduled to remain open through Aug. 15 or until the overall quota is reached, whichever comes first, Thiesfeld said. Fishing has been slower there, but anglers are still picking up some nice hatchery chinook - and hatchery coho, too, he said.
"Last Saturday (Aug. 2), anglers actually brought more hatchery coho to the ramp at Shilshole Bay than chinook," Thiesfeld said. "These resident coho provide a nice bonus and sometimes save the day."
Thiesfeld reminds anglers that regulations vary for inner Elliott Bay, Sinclair Inlet and public fishing piers in those marine areas. Check the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ) for more information.
Since the season began, anglers fishing in marine areas 9 and 10 have been allowed to keep hatchery chinook - marked with a clipped adipose fin - as part of a two salmon daily limit, but must release wild chinook. Those fishing Marine Area 9 also must release wild coho, chum salmon and - after Aug. 10 - any chinook salmon they intercept. Anglers fishing in Marine Area 10 must release chum as well as wild chinook.
When releasing salmon, anglers should keep the fish in the water and avoid using a net, Thiesfeld said. If a net is needed, use a rubber net or a soft knotless nylon or cotton net.
Meanwhile, the crab fishery is going strong in marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner), 9, 10, and the eastern and southern portion of 7. Fisheries in those areas are open on a Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule, plus the entire Labor Day weekend. See WDFW's sport-crabbing website ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/ ) for more information.
Hunting: Bear and cougar general hunting seasons are under way. Hunters are allowed two cougar during the season, which runs through March 15, 2009. Hunters are also allowed two bear during the general season (Aug. 1-Nov. 15), but only one bear can be taken in eastern Washington. Check the Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm ) for details.
Wildlife Viewing: Several sightings of orca whales have been reported in recent weeks. The whales have been traveling the waters of Haro Strait, between San Juan Island and Victoria, British Columbia. Even a "superpod," made up of members of J, K and L pods, was rumored to be in the area. One whalewatcher, who spotted about 45 killer whales off Saturna Island, speculated the group was about half of that superpod. "They were very active, often reversing direction, possibly feeding in Boundary Pass," according to the report on the Orca Network website ( http://www.orcanetwork.org/sightings/map.html ).
Elsewhere, an unidentified 16 to 20 foot whale was spotted by several people at Fort Ward State Park on the south end of Bainbridge Island. The whale was swimming in shallow water near a dock and displaying odd behavior, as well as trying to breach, according to the report.
Meanwhile, there are still numerous baby birds for birders to enjoy - at least at Marymoor Park. The "awwww" factor was high during a recent visit to the park, according to a report on Tweeters website ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ). The highlight was three baby western wood-pewees . The birds were sitting on a branch among the Oregon Ash trees near the east end of the boardwalk. The birders also spotted a number of other species, including a western tanager , three hairy woodpeckers , a Caspian tern and a turkey vulture .
South Sound/Olympic Peninsula
Fishing: As the salmon season approaches mid-point, the coming weeks are prime time to try for salmon along the south coast and Puget Sound. While crab fishing is still going strong, salmon anglers can also try their luck on several area rivers.
Salmon anglers on the south coast (marine areas 1 and 2) are having fair success this season, although fishing effort remains low, said Wendy Beeghley, WDFW fish biologist. "Some folks are getting their limits, but the average has been about one fish per person at both Ilwaco and Westport," Beeghley said.
On the bright side, Beeghley noted that chinook continue to make up a good portion of the catch, while the area is also producing some good-sized coho . "Coho are averaging eight to ten pounds, and we've seen some that were pushing the 14-pound mark," she said. "Chinook have been averaging up to 15 pounds, and we've checked some fish going up to 40 pounds. They're not common, but we're seeing a few of them."
In Ilwaco, anglers have recently been catching about one chinook for every four coho, Beeghley said. "Traditionally, chinook catches in that area pick up in August," she said.
In Westport, the catch has been evenly split between chinook and coho, with no sign that chinook fishing is slowing down, Beeghley said.
Along the north coast (marine areas 3 and 4) angler effort continues to be light. Those who did venture out at La Push over the Aug. 2 weekend immediately returned to shore because of bad weather, said Scott Barbour. Around the corner in Neah Bay, calmer weather allowed more anglers to get out, he said.
However, overall turnout was still low and few who went out got their two-fish limit, Barbour said. "People should be starting to catch more coho, but the numbers aren't there," Barbour said. "Anglers are averaging about one fish for every two rods in both areas, with the catch almost evenly divided between coho and chinook," he said.
Ilwaco and Westport are open for salmon fishing Sundays through Thursdays; La Push and Neah Bay are open Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Anglers fishing those areas may keep two chinook, two coho or a combination of each as part of their two-fish daily limit. The minimum size for chinook is 24 inches and 16 inches for coho. All wild coho must be released. Anglers fishing east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line in Marine Area 4B (Neah Bay) may retain hatchery coho only. All chinook, all wild coho and chum must be released.
Anglers planning to launch their boats in South Bend are advised of an error in the Willapa River listing in the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet. The boat launch referenced as the downstream boundary for the Willapa River fishery is operated by Pacific County, not WDFW. For that reason, anglers using that facility should be prepared to pay a launch fee.
Along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, chinook retention ends Aug. 10 in marine areas 5 and 6 (Sekiu/Port Angeles), but both areas remain open for retention of hatchery coho and sockeye salmon . Anglers are reminded that handling rules are in effect and all chum, chinook and wild coho must be released. The salmon fisheries in marine areas 5 and 6 are open daily with a two-fish daily limit.
While fishing remains fair to good in northern Puget Sound, anglers continue to come up short in Marine Area 11 (Point Defiance/Vashon Island), said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. "Fishing this summer is slower than last year, but right now we don't know if the run is just late or the fish are coming in below forecast."
Thiesfeld recommended that anglers try new areas such as southern Puget Sound (Marine Area 13) or Hood Canal (Marine Area 12), where the fishing has picked up recently. No matter the choice, anglers should head out soon, he said.
"The next two weeks are traditionally prime time for catching chinook in Puget Sound, and people shouldn't miss the opportunity," Thiesfeld said.
Anglers considering Hood Canal are reminded that fishing is restricted to south of Ayock Point until Sept. 1, although Dabob Bay opens for coho salmon fishing Aug. 16.
Area rivers may also be an option for salmon anglers. The Skokomish River in southern Hood Canal is now open and anglers can fish from the mouth of the river to the U.S. Highway 101 bridge. The daily limit is one salmon; all chum must be released.
In northern Hood Canal, the Quilcene River opens Aug. 16 from Rodgers Street to the U. S. Highway 101 Bridge. Thiesfeld said fishing is generally slow at the start, but picks up towards September when rainfall raises the river level and stimulates the fish to begin moving upstream. "Labor Day is generally the peak of the fishery," he said.
The fishery is open seven days a week through Oct. 31. The daily limit is four coho only, with a minimum size of 12 inches. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.
The Puyallup River, which empties into Commencement Bay, also opens Aug. 16.
Anglers are advised to check the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ) for more information on regulations and handling rules in each marine area.
For those interested in winning a boat, some cash or just getting out, two derbies in the 14-event Northwest Salmon Derby Series are coming up in Puget Sound. On Aug. 9, participants in the Gig Harbor Salmon Derby can try for the $1,000 first prize for catching the largest chinook or coho salmon. For more information, contact psa-gh07derby@earthlink.net .
The eighth annual Hood Canal Salmon Derby will be held on Aug. 16 and 17. Tickets are $25 a piece and participants can try for a first prize of $1,000. The kids' derby is free. Weigh-ins will be at the Sunrise Motel near Hoodsport. Contact Brian Johnson at 360-790-6589 or briantoni@comcast.com .
All participants in both derbies will be entered in a raffle for a 23-foot welded aluminum fishing boat and trailer, while kids will be entered into a raffle for a 14-foot boat, motor and trailer. For more information, visit http://www.discovernorthwestfishing.com .
In other derby news, The Westport/Grayland Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Summer Beach Perch Fishing Derby Aug. 9 along the beaches off Westport. The event starts at sunrise with weigh-in scheduled for 4 p.m. at Angler Charters at 2401 Westhaven Drive - across from Float 8 at the Westport Marina. The entry fee is $20 and all participants must have a valid state fishing license. The top four anglers will share a percentage of total ticket sales; other prizes are also available. Participants can register for the derby at www.anglercharters.net . Call 1-800-345-6223 for more information.
Recreational crab fishing is open Wednesdays through Saturdays in marine areas 6,7-South/East, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 11, and 12 through Sept. 1. Crabbing is open seven days a week in marine areas 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu) and 13 (south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) through Jan. 2.
Marine Area 7 North (Lummi Island/Blaine) will open Aug. 13, Wednesdays through Saturdays, plus Labor Day weekend.
The daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five male Dungeness crab with a shell width measuring at least 6¼ inches, plus six red rock crab of either sex with a shell width of at least 5 inches. All undersized crab, female Dungeness crab and all softshell crab of either sex must be returned to the water.
Puget Sound crab fishers are required to record their Dungeness crab catch on two separate catch record cards - one for the summer season and one for the fall/winter season. They also have the option of mailing in their catch cards or reporting on the Internet. Additional information is available on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crabreg/crabindex .
The only recreational halibut fishery remaining open on an ongoing basis is the nearshore fishery in Marine Area 2 (Westport), which is open Fridays and Saturdays.
Hunting: Bear and cougar general hunting seasons are under way. Hunters are allowed two cougar during the season, which runs through March 15, 2009. Hunters are also allowed two bear during the general season (Aug. 1-Nov. 15), but only one bear can be taken in eastern Washington. Check the Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm ) for details.
Wildlife viewing: Spectacular views, crisp air and blooming wild flowers are bringing thousands of summer visitors to Mount Rainier this summer. Hikers and wildlife viewers are taking to the many trails that start at the Sunrise Visitor Center on the eastern side of the mountain in search of views and alpine wildlife. A prize sighting is the white-tailed ptarmigan , which is a small grouse that makes it home in alpine habitat. Recent visitors on the Skyline Trail reported seeing two ptarmigan families accompanied by several offspring. The ptarmigan, which turns totally white in winter, is streaked brown and gray during the summer. Hikers also noted rosy finch, American pipit and rufous hummingbird .
On the coast in Pacific County, birders reporting on the Tweeters website ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ) were pleased to find two rarities - elegant terns flying among the many Caspian terns at Graveyard Spit at Tokeland and a Hudsonian godwit at the Tokeland Marina.
Southwest Washington
Fishing: The Buoy 10 salmon fishery near the mouth of the Columbia River got off to a characteristically slow start Aug. 1, but is expected to pick up in the days ahead. Meanwhile, anglers continue to reel in hatchery steelhead from waters both above and below Bonneville Dam.
Salmon were scarce during the first few days of fishing at Buoy 10, but that's not uncommon for that fishery, said Joe Hymer, WDFW fish biologist. "Buoy 10 often starts slow, then ramps up quickly and peaks around late August," he said. "I expect we'll see a similar pattern this year."
To track the fishery's progress, anglers can check daily catch-sampling summaries posted on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regions/reg5/buoy10.htm . The site also includes links to area web cameras, along with marine forecasts and information on water temperatures and salinity.
Under this year's rules, anglers will have the entire month of August - plus Labor Day (Sept. 1) - to catch and retain chinook salmon 16 miles downriver from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line to the mouth of the Columbia. There's a limit of two salmon per day, of which only one may be a chinook. Wild coho, chum and sockeye must be released.
With 32 days to catch and keep chinook at Buoy 10, anglers should do considerably better there this year than last, when the retention season was limited to just 12 days, Hymer said. On the other hand, anglers will be required to release all chinook salmon intercepted from Rocky Point/Tongue Point to Bonneville Dam, except during a retention fishery set for September 1-16.
Fishing seasons for both areas were designed to conserve ESA-listed chinook salmon bound for the Lewis and Snake rivers, while focusing fishing effort on abundant upriver brights returning to hatcheries above Bonneville and wild fish headed for the Hanford Reach, said Cindy LeFleur, WDFW Columbia River policy coordinator.
"The goal is to target those healthy upriver hatchery stocks, which tend to bite well when they first enter the river," LeFleur said. "We're also expecting a strong return of chinook reared in net pens in select areas throughout the lower river."
In all, 376,800 adult fall chinook are expected to return to the Columbia River this year, compared to 219,600 last year.
Then again, chinook salmon aren't the only fish in anglers' sights right now. During the first three days of August, 416 anglers checked below Bonneville Dam had 56 hatchery steelhead . Catch rates were higher in the Bonneville Pool, where anglers averaged two hatchery steelies for every three rods. But the best steelhead fishing was found on the Cowlitz River and at Drano Lake, where boat anglers averaged three-quarters of a fish per rod. On the Cowlitz, the fish were sampled at the trout hatchery and Mission Bar boat ramps.
As in the mainstem Columbia, new fishing rules were adopted this year during the North of Falcon season-setting process to conserve chinook salmon in several area tributaries. The following rules took effect Aug. 1:
* Lewis River and fall chinook sanctuary: Anglers are required to release all chinook salmon intercepted on the Lewis River, where wild chinook returns are expected to reach only about half of the 5,700-fish escapement goal. The requirement to release chinook is in effect in the Lewis River, the North Fork Lewis River and in an eight-mile area of the Columbia River near the mouth of the river that is defined in the fishing rule pamphlet. Fishing for hatchery coho and hatchery steelhead remains open, but fishing from boats is prohibited on the North Fork Lewis from Johnson Creek upstream to Merwin Dam to minimize chinook handling.
* Cowlitz and Toutle Rivers: Anglers must continue to release all chinook - except marked, hatchery-reared jacks - because hatchery returns are not expected to meet management goals. Anglers may still retain hatchery steelhead and hatchery coho caught in both rivers.<br />
* Kalama, Washougal, Wind and White Salmon rivers, plus Drano Lake: Anglers may retain any adult chinook salmon, but must release any wild, unmarked chinook jacks they encounter.
"All of the new rules are included in the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet," said Pat Frazier, regional WDFW fish manager. "Anglers should make a point to check them out before they hit the water."
Frazier noted that the new mark-selective fisheries for chinook jacks reflect the fact that - for the first time - all chinook jacks returning to hatcheries in the Columbia River Basin are marked with a clipped adipose fin.
"The immediate benefit is that anglers will have an opportunity to catch and retain marked chinook jacks on a number of rivers," he said. "In doing so, they'll actually benefit wild chinook by getting hatchery fish off the spawning grounds."
Meanwhile, anglers recently caught a few legal-size white sturgeon between the Wauna powerlines and Bonneville Dam - the only area of the lower Columbia River still open for retention fishing. Sturgeon may be retained Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through the end of the year.
Also, boat anglers fishing in the Camas/Washougal area have been catching walleye and smallmouth bass . There have also been reports of anglers catching good-sized kokanee on Yale Reservoir.
Hunting: Bear and cougar general hunting seasons are under way. Hunters are allowed two cougar during the season, which runs through March 15, 2009. Hunters are also allowed two bear during the general season (Aug. 1-Nov. 15), but only one bear can be taken in eastern Washington. Check the Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm ) for details.
Wildlife watching: Summer steelhead currently dominate the stage at the Washington shore Visitor Complex at Bonneville Dam, passing by the viewing window at a rate of about 4,000 per day. But that will change, if history is any guide, during the coming weeks as fall chinook begin to arrive en masse. Soon fat king salmon will outnumber the more streamlined steelhead, not to mention the shad, sockeye salmon and other fish still visible through the glass.
For a front-row seat on the changing of the guard, stop by the Visitor Complex off Washington State Highway 14. Go east to Milepost 40 (about five miles from Stevenson) and turn into the parking lot at the end of the powerhouse. To look through the viewing window online, see https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/b/fishcam.asp .
A Clark County birder is monitoring a different type of migration. Returning home to Battle Ground after several weeks away, he noted several warbling vireos a few yards north of his yard, followed several days later by two lazuli buntings . Next he saw several crossbills fly past, then a pine siskin and several Swainson's thrushes . "It's a bit early for a night flight, but I may listen a bit tonight," the birder wrote in a posting on the Tweeters birding website ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ).
Eastern Washington
Fishing: Lake Roosevelt rainbow trout fishing is good, reported Perry Harvester, WDFW habitat biologist, who recently spent time on the big reservoir off Grand Coulee Dam. Rainbows are running between 12 and 22 inches, with good numbers of 19 to 22-inch fish that weigh between three and four pounds.
"Use large, worm-tipped flies such as muddler minnows behind flashers, dodgers, or pop gear," Harvester advised. "Troll 35-40 feet down in water between 75 and 110 feet deep and vary your speed. Bring a cooler and ice to keep your fish fresh in the hot weather."
Harvester said the best thing about Lake Roosevelt fishing at this time of year is that there's virtually no competition, at least between Grand Coulee Dam and Hawk Creek near Seven Bays, in Lincoln County north of Davenport.
Fishing during early morning hours or at night at almost any trout water in the region is good now, especially smaller lakes up north and around Spokane, said Chris Donley, WDFW fish biologist. "The lower Spokane River has nice rainbows and browns, but river anglers need to be aware of catch limits, gear restrictions, and other rules listed in the fishing pamphlet," Donley said.
Yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie , and other warmwater fish species are also a good bet now at many mixed fisheries including Coffeepot Lake in Lincoln County, Downs Lake in southwest Spokane County, Eloika Lake in north Spokane County, and the Spokane River reservoir of Long Lake and Deer and Waitts lakes in Stevens County.
Kokanee fishing in southern Stevens County's Loon Lake remains steady, said Jason McLellan, WDFW fish biologist, who recently caught his ten-fish limit in a couple of hours of trolling. Most of the kokanee are "cookie cutter" 12-inchers, he said, but there are a few bigger fish to catch, too. Jigging for Loon Lake's kokanee at night also remains good.
Juli Anderson, WDFW's Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area manager, reported that both the West and East lakes on the property in Lincoln County have dried up completely and fish aren't even biting at Z Lake.
Wildlife viewing: Huckleberries are abundant this year throughout the region's mountains and pickers are sharing favorite patches with lots of berry-loving wildlife, including bears . Al Palmanteer, WDFW habitat biologist, recommended that people be alert about bears and minimize the chance of problems by announcing their presence in a berry patch to avoid surprising a bear. Palmanteer also noted that mosquitoes are almost as thick as berries this year and advised using repellents to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile virus.<br />
Woody Myers, WDFW wildlife biologist, reminded drivers through deer country to be observant of increased activity of whitetailed and mule deer does and fawns, especially during morning and evening hours.
Myers also noted that warm summer evenings are a good time to listen for owls hooting and poorwills calling. "Watch for gathering flocks of some songbird species, like blackbirds and swallows , which include this summer's production," he said. "Many of these young birds are now flying and will soon be concentrating at staging areas in anticipation of the coming fall migration."
Juli Anderson, WDFW's Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area manager, reported seeing good numbers of mule deer on the property in Lincoln County. "We're also seeing lots of kestrels around," she said. "It looks like they had a good hatch this spring."
North Central Washington
Fishing: Lake Wenatchee sockeye salmon fishing finally opened August 6. The long-anticipated special season is the first one in four years, thanks to an abundant run of the big, bright fish, said Jeff Korth, WDFW north central region fish program manager.
"The fishery will continue on a daily basis until a harvestable quota has been taken, but it could close on short notice." Korth said. By Aug. 5, more than 24,000 sockeye were counted at Tumwater Dam on the Wenatchee River, above the spawning escapement goal of 23,000 fish.
The daily limit per angler is two sockeye with a minimum size of 12 inches. Sockeye with a colored plastic tag near the dorsal fin, and all bull trout, steelhead and chinook salmon must be released without removing fish from the water. Selective gear rules are in effect for Lake Wenatchee, although fishing from a boat equipped with a motor is allowed. These rules include no more than three barbless hooks, no bait nor scent, and a requirement for the use of knotless nets for landing fish. A night closure is also in effect for the sockeye fishery, with legal angling hours one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Korth noted there is very limited access on Lake Wenatchee. A small, primitive boat launch on U.S. Forest Service property and a boat launch at Lake Wenatchee State Park are available but parking is limited.
Art Viola, WDFW fish biologist, also noted summer chinook salmon fishing opened on the Entiat River in Chelan County Aug. 1 and will run through the end of the month. Fishing is allowed from the Alternate U.S. Highway 97 Bridge near the mouth of the Entiat River, upstream to the posted sign marking the Entiat City limits. The daily limit is six summer chinook salmon, minimum size 12 inches. Only two adults may be retained. Bull trout, coho and steelhead must be released unharmed. A non-buoyant lure restriction and night closure are in effect.
Bob Jateff, WDFW fish biologist, reported that salmon fishing on the mainstem Columbia River above Wells Dam has been slow. "Those chinook being caught, however, are in the 15 to 20 pound range, along with sockeye up to four pounds," Jateff said. "Most anglers use a trolled herring or super bait packed with tuna fish. Just remember that once the daily limit of two adult salmon is retained, you can not continue to fish for salmon."
Jateff also noted the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers opened Aug. 2 for salmon fishing. Open areas include the Okanogan River from the U.S. Highway 97 Bridge just upstream from the mouth to the U.S. Highway 97 Bridge in Oroville, and the Similkameen River from the mouth to the Highway 7 Bridge in Oroville. There is a non-buoyant rule restriction and night closure in effect for all species on these rivers during the salmon season. Daily limit is six salmon, only two of which can be adult salmon. Sockeye can be retained but count as part of the two adult daily limit.
Jateff reported the Methow River continues to have pretty good fishing as the river has dropped into shape for anglers wishing to wade. "Fly fishermen are doing well on hopper patterns and stimulators," he said. "This is a catch and release fishery only under selective gear rules."
The Twisp River, from the mouth to War Creek, the Chewuch River, from the mouth to Eight Mile Creek, and the Methow River, from Foghorn Dam to Weeman Bridge will close to all fishing on Aug. 16. The remaining portions of the Methow River will stay open until Sept 30.
Wildlife viewing: Scott Fitkin, WDFW wildlife biologist, reported wildlife and wild flower viewing in the alpine areas of Okanogan County is good at this time of year. "There are lots of small mammals like hoary marmots, Columbian ground squirrels, pikas , and golden mantled ground squirrels ," he said. "There's also the possibility of seeing ptarmigan in their camouflage coloration if you look carefully. Mountain goats and bears are also occasionally seen."
Fitkin says good viewing locations include the Pacific Crest Trail, accessed from the Hart's Pass/Slate Peak Road, the Maple Pass Trail accessed from Rainy Pass, the Cutthroat Pass Trail accessed from Rainy Pass or Cutthroat Lake trailhead, or Twisp Pass accessed by a trail from the end of the Twisp River Road. Fitkin noted that wildlife viewers in the Twisp Pass area should keep eyes and ears open for the newly-discovered wolves , although chances or seeing or hearing the elusive animals are probably low.
South Central Washington
Fishing: Paul Hoffarth, WDFW fish biologist, reported that walleye fishing is in full swing in the Columbia River near the Tri-Cities. "Walleye are being caught in Lake Umatilla from Plymouth to Boardman," he said. "The Hanford Reach has produced some excellent catches this year, as has the Columbia and Snake rivers around the Tri-Cities area."
Hoffarth also said summer steelhead are already returning in good numbers and a few anglers are reporting some catches. The Columbia River is currently open for steelhead up to the U.S. Highway 395 bridge (Blue Bridge) in Pasco/Kennewick. The Snake River and the Columbia River boundary waters at the confluence of the Snake are closed but will open Sept. 1.
The summer/fall chinook sport fishery is open above the U.S. Highway 395 bridge in Pasco/Kennewick upstream to Priest Rapids Dam and will remain open through Oct. 22. Catch has been slow for chinook in the Tri-Cities but should pick up by mid-September.
The Columbia River from Bonneville to Priest Rapids Dam opened Aug. 1 for fall chinook. Anglers should check the fishing rules pamphlet for information on bag limits and restrictions.
Jim Cummins, WDFW fish biologist, recommended heading for the mountains to fish for cutthroat, rainbow and eastern brook trout in the high lakes.
"Be prepared for bugs, especially mosquitoes, and for more than usual amounts of snow at the highest elevation lakes," he said. "I encourage anglers to limit harvest and practice catch-and-release, except at those lakes that are over-populated with eastern brook trout, or where they want to eat a couple of fish in camp.
"For catch-and-release fishing, I like to use a fly and bubble. Place a plastic float (bubble) above a swivel, attach about five feet of two-pound test leader, and tie on a small size 12-14 fly. Flies that imitate mayflies and caddisflies, including a variety of bead head nymphs, can be very effective. I discourage people from releasing bait-caught trout because survival of released fish is poor, compared to those caught on flies and lures." Cummins said the WDFW Primer for High Lakes is a good starting point for choosing a lake to fish and is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regions/reg3/highlakes.pdf .
Rivers, streams and small creeks are another good bet for anglers, Cummins said. Many streams have special regulations, such as selective gear rules (no bait, single barbless hook) and the general catch limit is two fish over eight inches in length. There are a number of exceptions, such as the 12-inch minimum length on the Naches River, and catch-and-release on the upper Yakima, part of the Naches, and Rattlesnake Creek. Cutthroat trout are the dominant species at higher elevations and rainbow are most often encountered at lower elevations rivers and streams. Several rivers are closed to protect bull trout and salmon. Anglers should check regulations before fishing.
"Kokanee are being caught in Yakima Basin Reservoirs, particularly at Rimrock Reservoir," Cummins said. "Mackinaw or lake trout are present in Cle Elum Reservoir. Although reservoir water levels are higher than normal this late in the season, they will be dropping rapidly the rest of this summer."
Cummins reminded anglers to carefully release any bull trout, steelhead and salmon that are caught incidental to trout fishing. Bull trout, steelhead, and salmon cannot be harvested in the Yakima River Basin at this time. Salmon seasons are closed in the Yakima until fall chinook and coho salmon season opens on part of the lower river on Sept. 1. Part of the American River is closed to protect spawning spring chinook salmon and bull trout.
Wildlife viewing: Pete Lopushinksy, WDFW Colockum Wildlife Area manager, recommended a slow drive over Colockum Pass from Wenatchee to Ellensburg to look for elk and elk calves around the Arthur Coffin Game Reserve. "The reserve is closed to actual entry, but you can drive by and look," he said. "The elk cows and calves are grouped up at this time of year and it's common to see groups of 50 to 100 elk. It's a nice time of year to be up there. It tops out at 5,300 feet in elevation, so it's cooler on these hot summer days." Lopushinksy reminded wildlife viewers that the Colockum Pass road is very rocky and rough. "A high clearance vehicle is best," he said, "but just take your time and a spare tire."