02-20-2009, 12:10 PM
Spring is still a month away, but Washington's anglers are already gearing up for the season ahead. After all, spring chinook salmon are beginning to enter the Columbia River, smelt are pushing into the Cowlitz and dozens of lakes in eastern Washington will open for trout fishing March 1.
Sometimes it pays to be an early bird, said Joe Hymer, a fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
"The best spring chinook fishing is still a few weeks out, but there may not be a better time than now for smelt dippers to plan a trip to the Cowlitz River," Hymer said. Several signs, including a recent commercial catch, point to the presence of smelt moving into the river.
The Cowlitz River is open to smelt dipping from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. each Saturday through March 28, with a daily catch limit of 10 pounds per person. For more information, see the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/creel/smelt . All other tributaries to the Columbia River in Washington state are closed to smelt fishing at this time.
Across the Cascades, icy conditions in eastern and central Washington will likely delay the catch at some lakes that open for trout fishing March 1. But several Tucannon River impoundments in the southeast corner of the state that open that day are stocked and ready for action. See the regional fishing reports below for more detail.
Meanwhile, winter blackmouth fisheries - particularly in Hood Canal and around the San Juan Islands - continue to produce good catches in Puget Sound. A creel check of anglers aboard 53 boats fishing on Hood Canal near Seabeck showed an average of one resident chinook for every two poles.
Looking ahead, WDFW has tentatively scheduled the first morning razor-clam dig of the year March 27-29, pending the results of upcoming marine toxin tests. Two other morning digs are also tentatively scheduled in April. More information is available on these digs in the South Sound/Olympic Peninsula regional report below.
Of course, anglers aren't alone in anticipating the arrival of spring. Great blue herons are touching down on the Spokane River and sandhill cranes are beginning their mating dance in the Vancouver Lowlands. For more information on fishing, wildlife watching and other outdoor recreation throughout the state, see the regional reports below.
North Puget Sound
Fishing: The steelhead fishery in the region is winding down, with a number of rivers and streams closing to sport fishing at the end of February. Meanwhile, the blackmouth season is in full swing out on Puget Sound, where anglers are hooking some nice salmon.
"The San Juan Islands continue to be strong for blackmouth fishing," said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. "It's not as hot as it was a couple weeks ago, but anglers are still doing well throughout the islands."
Anglers participating in the recent Roche Harbor Salmon Derby took advantage of the good fishing. A total of 344 anglers landed 115 fish during the derby, which took place Feb. 5-7. Shannon Terrell finished first in the derby with an 18-pound, 6-ounce chinook. The Bellingham resident took home $10,000, while Wayne Logsdon of Mount Vernon pocketed $5,000 for his second-place 16.1-pound salmon. Bret Thurman of Orcas Island was awarded $1,500 for his third-place fish, which weighed in at 15.15 pounds.
Anglers fishing in Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands) can keep two hatchery chinook as part of their two-salmon daily limit. They must, however, release wild chinook, which have an intact adipose fin. Thiesfeld reminds anglers that - unlike in previous years - selective gear rules apply through April 15 in the Marine Area 7 blackmouth fishery.
Elsewhere, blackmouth fisheries in marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay) and 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) continue to be slow, Thiesfeld said. Anglers in those two areas, as well as Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet), also can keep two hatchery chinook as part of their two-salmon daily limit.
Time is running out for steelheaders in the region. A number of the region's rivers, including the Snohomish, Nooksack and Skykomish close to steelhead fishing at the end of the month.
Most areas of the Skagit River, however, remain open for the harvest of hatchery steelhead through March 15, said Brett Barkdull, WDFW fish biologist. Although the Skagit, from the Dalles Bridge at Concrete to the Cascade River, will be open to catch-and-release for all steelhead from March 16 through April 30.
Barkdull reminds steelheaders on the Skagit fishing from boats, sleds or any other floating device equipped with a gas or electric motor that it's illegal to fish while under power during the catch-and-release season that begins March 16.
Cutthroat trout fishing in Lake Washington is still an option. Anglers have had success in recent weeks hooking trout around the creek mouths. The daily limit is five trout, but rainbow trout measuring more than 20 inches and steelhead must be released. Beginning March 1, trout must measure at least 12 inches in length to be retained.
For more information on the rules and regulations for Lake Washington, as well as other freshwater and saltwater fisheries, check WDFW's Fishing in Washington pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
Hunting: WDFW is accepting applications for spring black bear hunting permits through March 13. To be eligible for a permit, hunters must purchase a special permit application and a 2009 hunting license that includes bear as a species option. A drawing will be held in mid-March for 295 permits in western Washington and 225 permits on the east side of the state. Successful applicants will be notified by March 31.
Hunting licenses, bear transport tags and bear permit applications may be purchased online ( https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ ), by phone (866-246-9453) or at any license vendor in the state. Applications, which require a correct hunt choice number, may be submitted online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ or by calling (877) 945-3492.
Wildlife viewing: With spring just around the corner, the weather has become a bit more cooperative for birders, who have found a number of interesting species throughout the region. On a return visit to Lummi Island, one birder spotted several pigeon guillemots - birds he saw days earlier in winter plumage. "I returned to Lummi Island and many of the guillemots there were in breeding plumage, with only a minority of the birds I saw still in their winter coats," the birder reported on Tweeters website ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ). While in breeding plumage, the stocky birds with bright red feet, are solid black with white wing patches.
Farther south, a birder visiting from South Carolina was surprised by several birds he spotted while staying in the Seward Park area. Noisy Steller's and western scrub jays , caught the birders attention, as well as the golden-crowned sparrows in the area. The birder also was surprised by the size of the region's crows. "Your local American crows sure are small," he noted on Tweeters. "Clearly, there's a lot of Northwestern crow happening in their DNA."
Meanwhile, whalewatchers have had some success recently. A pod of resident orca whales was seen traveling the waters of Haro Strait, in the San Juan Islands. Nearby, a pod of transient orcas also was spotted loitering in the area before heading north of the islands.
South Sound/Olympic Peninsula
Fishing: Blackmouth fishing is off to a strong start in Hood Canal, while steelhead anglers are hoping for some rain on the northern peninsula. In the weeks ahead, a three-day razor clam dig is proposed for late March.
Anglers fishing for blackmouth salmon near Seabeck during President's Day weekend made a good choice for starting off the season, said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. "The weather was great and folks on Hood Canal did well over the weekend," Thiesfeld said. A creel check of 53 boats showed an average of one fish for every two poles.
Fishing was considerably slower in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and southern Puget Sound. A creel check at John Wayne Marina showed 186 anglers with 21 blackmouth, while 303 anglers checked at Port Townsend Boat Haven caught 40 fish. At Point Defiance (Marine Area 11), the average was one fish for every 13 anglers.
The 33rd annual Discovery Bay Salmon Derby, held Feb. 14-6, proved successful for Tom Casey of Sequim who won the $5,000 first prize for his 18.85-pound blackmouth salmon. Ninety-nine anglers submitted 102 fish during the state's longest-running derby.
Anglers should note that the Geoduck Salmon Derby, scheduled Feb. 28 through March 1 in Brinnon has been canceled.
Fisheries for blackmouth salmon will run through April 10 in marine areas 5 (Sekiu), 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 11 (Tacoma-Vashon) and 12 (Hood Canal) with a one-fish daily limit. Thiesfeld reminds anglers that Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound) will reopen March 1.
On the freshwater, steelhead fishing has been slow and effort down on several north coast rivers, said Randy Copper, WDFW fish biologist. "We're still in the transition phase from hatchery to wild, but the main reason for the poor turnout is low and clear water, especially in the Bogachiel and Sol Duc," Cooper said.
Cooper said that during these conditions anglers tend to fish the Hoh River, where a Feb. 13-15 creel check showed that 200 anglers on the lower portion came up with 32 hatchery steelhead and 30 wild (eight released). During the same time period, 33 anglers fishing the Sol Duc caught three hatchery steelhead and 9 wild (two released).
"We should get a better idea of the steelhead run after the next good rainfall brings the fish in from the saltwater," Cooper said. He reminds anglers that retention of wild steelhead is currently limited to one fish per year on the Bogachiel, Calawah, Clearwater, Dickey, Hoh, Hoko, Pysht, Quillayute, Quinault and Sol Duc. Elsewhere, all wild steelhead-identifiable by an intact adipose fin-must be released.
There is no annual limit for hatchery steelhead, although daily limits apply. For more information on rules and regulations, anglers should check the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
Anglers looking ahead to lingcod season should note that the popular fishery opens March 14 along the coast at Ilwaco (Marine Area 1), Westport/Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2) and La Push (Marine Area 3).
Razor clam diggers are advised that a three-day dig has been tentatively scheduled on morning tides March 27-29, provided that marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat. Two digs are also tentatively scheduled on morning tides April 10-12 and April 25-27.
Tentative opening dates and morning low tides in March are:
* Friday, March 27 (7:49 a.m. 0.0 ft.) Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
* Saturday, March 28 (8:29 a.m. -0.4 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks<br />
* Sunday, March 29 (9:12 a.m. -0.6 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Hunting: WDFW is accepting applications for spring black bear hunting permits through March 13. To be eligible for a permit, hunters must purchase a special permit application and a 2009 hunting license that includes bear as a species option. Hunting licenses, bear transport tags and bear permit applications may be purchased online ( https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ ), by phone (866) 246-9453) or at any license vendor in the state. Applications, which require a correct hunt choice number, may be submitted online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ or by calling (877) 945-3492.
Wildlife viewing: The tallies are coming in after the conclusion of the 12th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), held Feb. 13-16 throughout the United States and Canada. As of Feb. 18, Washington state was among the top 10 in reporting most species (198) and most birds seen (nearly 600,000). Approximately 2,300 checklists from the state have been submitted with the American robin (249,512) and American crow (70,868) grabbing top honors for most sightings. The top five locations submitting the most checklists include Olympia, Seattle, Sequim, Yakima and Issaquah.
A joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society , the annual GBBC allows enthusiasts of all ages to make a contribution to conservation by counting birds at a chosen site on one or more days of the event and reporting the sightings online at www.birdcount.org . Check out the site as more reports come in.
An American kestrel has been seen numerous times near Olympia on the east side of Delphi Road SW (one mile north of the turnoff into McLane Park). This raptor is the smallest of Washington's falcons and noted for its striking blue, black and tan markings. Often seen in eastern Washington, kestrels are rarer on the west side of the state.
Southwest Washington
Fishing: Smelt dippers could get their best chance of the season to scoop up some tasty eulachon from the Cowlitz River in the days ahead, while the number of anglers prospecting for early arriving spring chinook in the lower Columbia River continues to rise.
All signs were pointing to the presence of smelt in the Cowlitz, just three days ahead of the scheduled opening Saturday, Feb. 21, said Joe Hymer, a WDFW fish biologist. A commercial dipper landed 2,000 pounds in the lower river the previous Sunday, he said, noting that the seals and seabirds have been active, too.
"We could be seeing the main body of the run," Hymer said. "We don't know how long it will last, but the next week or two may be as good as it gets for smelt dipping this year."
The Cowlitz River is open to smelt dipping from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. each Saturday through March 28, with a daily catch limit of 10 pounds per person. The results of test fisheries are posted each Thursday on the WDFW website ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/creel/smelt/index.htm ). All other tributaries to the Columbia River in Washington state are closed to smelt fishing at this time.
Where there's smelt there's often sturgeon , so a good showing of smelt could also improve prospects for sturgeon fishing in the lower Columbia River Basin. Sturgeon fishing has been fairly slow both above and below Bonneville Dam in recent weeks, but an influx of smelt could invigorate the fishery downriver from the Cowlitz, Hymer said.
Late-run hatchery steelhead are already moving into the Cowlitz and Kalama rivers in greater numbers, with the highest catches reported at Blue Creek and below the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery.
Meanwhile, the anticipation continues to build over the spring chinook fishery on the lower Columbia River, where about three dozen boats were spotted trolling for early arrivals on a recent weekend day. A few "springers" reportedly had been pulled from the Willamette River through mid-February, but the main action won't get under way until mid-March, said Cindy LeFleur, WDFW Columbia River policy coordinator.
"This is shaping up to be a very good year for spring chinook fishing in the Columbia River," LeFleur said. "The first fish have just begun to arrive, and we hope to see a lot more of them in the months ahead."
According to the pre-season forecast, nearly 300,000 upriver spring chinook are expected to enter the Columbia River this year, which would make this year's return the third highest since 1977. An additional 37,000 "springers" are also expected to return to the Willamette River, up from 27,000 last year.
Under initial seasons adopted by fishery managers from Washington and Oregon, anglers will be able to fish for spring chinook from the mouth of the Columbia River to Bonneville Dam through mid-April.
Below Hayden Island, the new season provides 30 days of spring chinook fishing in March and April, compared to just 12 days last year. During those two months, anglers also will have 39 days - up from 36 days last year - to catch and retain spring chinook from Hayden Island upriver to Bonneville Dam.
LeFleur noted that the fishery could extend beyond April, but that late-season regulations have not been set because of differences between the fish and wildlife commissions of Washington and Oregon over how to allocate the catch.
In March and April, Columbia River anglers will be able to fish for spring chinook salmon at the following locations and times:
* West power lines on Hayden Island downstream to Buoy 10: Seven days per week from March 1-15. Beginning March 16 through April 18, fishing will be limited to three days per week, Thursdays through Saturdays.<br />
* West power lines on Hayden Island to Bonneville Dam: Seven days per week from March 1-22. Beginning March 23 through April 22, fishing will be limited to four days per week, Wednesday through Saturday.<br />
* Tower Island power lines above Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam: Seven days per week from March 16 through April 30. The Washington and Oregon bank fishery will also be open from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Tower Island power lines.
Until March 1, spring chinook fishing is open under regulations described in the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington rule pamphlet. Anglers fishing for spring chinook salmon may also retain shad and hatchery steelhead , as outlined in the rule pamphlet.
Under a new rule approved by the Washington commission, anglers fishing below McNary Dam may retain two marked, hatchery-reared adult salmon or steelhead (or one of each) per day. However, only one adult chinook salmon may be retained per day downstream from Bonneville Dam. This will also be the case in Deep River, whenever the section of the Columbia River downstream from Hayden Island is open for salmon fishing.
In all areas, anglers are required to release any chinook salmon not clearly marked as a hatchery-reared fish, since a portion of the wild upriver spring chinook run is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. Unmarked steelhead must also be released. Hatchery fish can be identified by a clipped adipose fin with a healed scar.
While the spring chinook run builds, some anglers have been catching trout in year-round lakes around the region. At Klineline Pond, 93 bank anglers reeled in 86 rainbows on a recent day. The pond was planted with 2,000 half-pounders Feb. 9. Elsewhere, Fort Borst Park Pond in Chehalis received 3,000 catchable-size rainbows, Silver Lake in Castle Rock got 2,100 and Battleground Lake got 2,000.
Hunting: WDFW is accepting applications for spring black bear hunting permits through March 13. To be eligible for a permit, hunters must purchase a special permit application and a 2009 hunting license that includes bear as a species option. A drawing will be held in mid-March for 295 permits in western Washington and 225 permits on the east side of the state. Successful applicants will be notified by March 31.
Hunting licenses, bear transport tags and bear permit applications may be purchased online ( https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ ), by phone (866-246-9453) or at any license vendor in the state. Applications, which require a correct hunt choice number, may be submitted online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ or by calling (877) 945-3492.
Wildlife viewing: Participants in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) have until March 1 to file their lists of birds sighted earlier this month. Together, those lists will provide ornithologists with a snapshot of avian life throughout North America. The GBBC website ( http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc ) also contains hundreds of photographs of birds tallied in this year's count.
Many of the birds featured in those photos - ranging from white-breasted nuthatches to sandhill cranes - could have been taken here in southwest Washington. Sandhill cranes , now arriving in the Vancouver Lowlands, are just starting to warm up for their annual display of affection before heading north with their partners. In the weeks ahead, thousands of the large birds - with wingspans of up to seven feet - will visit prime feeding areas before undertaking the long migration to their northern breeding areas.
First, though, comes the dance. Sandhill cranes, which mate for life, are renown for their elaborate courtship behavior, involving acrobatic movements and an exchange of loud calls. This dance often begins with one bird, which makes a series of bowing, jumping and stick-tossing movements. Others in the flock then pick up the tempo, leaping into the air with wings outstretched. As one observer put it, the dancing pairs "look like marionette puppets frolicking delicately on strings."
Sandhill cranes aren't the only large birds on display in the region. Two birders reporting on the Tweeters website ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ) counted 21 trumpeter swans and 13 tundra swans on Carty Lake at the Carty Unit of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Several trumpeters were also spotted on a pond off Highway 4, just west of Skamokawa.
Eastern Washington
Fishing: The end of ice fishing for rainbow and brown trout and yellow perch at Waitts Lake in southern Stevens County is usually followed by new angling opportunities March 1. But WDFW central district fish biologist Chris Donley of Spokane says most if not all of the fisheries opening March 1 in the district will likely be iced up just enough to be inaccessible.
"They won't necessarily be safe for ice fishing," Donley explained. "Weather forecasts indicate more above-freezing days with below-freezing nights, so lake surfaces may be thawing and re-freezing. Productive fishing will likely be delayed until there's more open water."
Three lakes are opening for the first time this year on March 1 - Downs Lake in southwest Spokane County with bass, crappie, perch and rainbow trout ; Liberty Lake east of Spokane with brown and rainbow trout, bass, and perch; and Medical Lake near the town of the same name with brown and rainbow trout.
Also opening March 1: Amber Lake in southwest Spokane County for catch-and-release of rainbow and cutthroat trout ; Coffeepot Lake in Lincoln County for rainbows, yellow perch and black crappie under selective gear rules; North Silver Lake in southwest Spokane County for rainbows under selective gear rules and a requirement to release adipose-fin-clipped fish; and Deer Lake in southern Stevens County for lake trout .
In the south end of the region where winter is fading faster, most of the seven impoundments off the Tucannon River on WDFW's Wooten Wildlife Area in Columbia County that open to fishing March 1 are - or soon will be - stocked with hatchery rainbow trout and ready for action. That's the short-term good news, says WDFW southeast district fish biologist Glen Mendel.
"We've had to reduce stocking some of these man-made lakes because they're losing depth and volume and need to be re-dredged," Mendel explained. "Some have dam maintenance issues, too. We've been working with our wildlife area citizen advisory group to address these problems and hope to draft some proposals for long-term maintenance action."
Meanwhile, starting March 1 anglers can ply the waters of Beaver, Big Four, Blue, Deer, Rainbow, Spring and Watson lakes for "catchable-size" (about one-third pound) and "jumbo" (about one-half pound) trout from the Tucannon Fish Hatchery. The total number of trout allotted in several plants throughout the 10-month-long season by lake are: Beaver, 500 catchables; Big Four, 2,000 catchables and 300 jumbos; Blue, 23,300 catchables and 400 jumbos; Deer, 3,300 catchables and 25 jumbos; Rainbow, 15,000 catchables and 300 jumbos; Spring, 11,000 catchables and 300 jumbos; Watson, 20,000 catchables and 300 jumbos. Specific stocking numbers by the week are available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/weekly/ .
Fishhook Pond in Walla Walla County and Pampa Pond in Whitman County also open on March 1 for stocked rainbow fishing.
Three year-round-open small impoundments off the Snake River near the bottom of Alpowa Grade west of Clarkston in Asotin County - Golf Course, Silcott and West Evans ponds - were recently stocked with one-third-pound rainbow trout from Lyons Ferry Hatchery, and WDFW enforcement officers report fishing activity is picking up.
Orchard Pond, a year-round impoundment off the Snake River in Columbia County, recently received over a thousand catchable size rainbows and 25 jumbos from the Lyons Ferry Hatchery.
Snake River system steelhead action is picking up as tributaries receive a shot of water from snowpack melt. WDFW enforcement officers recently patrolling the Snake report steelheaders doing well in the Lower Granite dam area and on the upper river near Clarkston. Most boats coming off the river at Swallow's Nest averaged two steelhead.
WDFW enforcement officers also report sturgeon fishing activity in the Central Ferry area of the Snake River is beginning to increase, although catching is slow. The sturgeon daily catch limit is one fish of minimum size 48 inches, maximum size 60 inches.
Anglers can gear up and learn about fishing opportunities at the second annual Great Western Sportfishing Show, March 6-8, at the Spokane Convention Center. For more information see http://www.greatwesternsportfishingshow.com/Home.html .
Wildlife viewing: Moose continue to make themselves very "viewable" to Spokane area residents by escaping snow cover at higher elevations to browse on suburban neighborhood landscape plants and other easy meals. In some situations, WDFW staff have been "escorting" them back to the woods or occasionally tranquilizing and relocating them. WDFW wildlife biologist Woody Myers says the moose population continues to grow along with the area's human population, and the two need to learn to get along. "We can't move every moose that wanders through," he said. "And by this time of winter, these animals are hungry, weary and a little cranky."
As with deer and elk, homeowners may need to explore landscaping with less palatable plants, keep livestock feed and hay protected and minimize or avoid feeding birds. When moose are around, keep dogs and small children under control to avoid problems.
Both white-tailed and mule deer are also providing closer-than-comfortable viewing on or along open roadways throughout the north half of the region. Motorists are urged to slow down and be alert and aware of the possibilities for collisions with deer, especially near dawn and dusk. Bald eagles, ravens, magpies , and coyotes are easily observed scavenging road-killed deer carcasses.
Despite persistent wintery conditions, there are signs of coming spring. Great blue herons are returning to communal nesting areas along waterways throughout the region, including the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers. Red-winged blackbirds and robins have also been heard and seen in several locations throughout the region.
North Central Washington
Fishing: Many Columbia Basin lakes open to rainbow trout fishing March 1 but persistent wintery conditions will likely delay angling action.
"Even with forecasts of warmer daytime temperatures, there's a good chance most Columbia Basin lakes will still be iced up for the opener," said Jeff Korth, WDFW regional fish program manager. "At this point, the one exception is the north end of Martha Lake, which is already open and should provide good fishing right from the start of the season."
Korth predicts that because ice on most other lakes won't be thick enough for safe fishing, angling will be delayed.
"But that just means there likely won't be an opening day crowd and fishing will start more gradually and last longer through the season," Korth said.
Besides Martha Lake, near the town of George in Grant County, other Columbia Basin lakes opening March 1 on WDFW's Quincy Wildlife Area include Burke and Quincy lakes, southwest of the town of Quincy; Upper, Lower and West Caliche lakes, southwest of George; Dusty Lake, a selective gear rule fishery south of Quincy; and the small "walk-in" lakes - Cascade, Cliff, Crystal, Cup, Dot, George and Spring.
Lenice and Nunnally lakes, on WDFW's Crab Creek Wildlife Area just east of Beverly in southwest Grant County, open under selective gear rules March 1, but won't receive triploid rainbow plants until April. Much smaller Merry Lake in the same area also opens March 1.
Lake Lenore, north of the town of Soap Lake in Grant County, opens for catch-and-release trout fishing March 1. Because of its location in a north-south canyon, Korth says Lenore will almost surely still be iced up for the opener this year. Two to four-pound Lahontan cutthroat trout will be caught and released there by April.
Wildlife viewing: The eighth annual Balde Eagle Festival , Feb. 20 - 21, showcases the hundreds of wintering bald eagles in the Grand Coulee Dam area. The main eagle roosting area is along the south wall of Northrup Canyon, a part of Steamboat Rock State Park, where WDFW has teamed with the Department of Parks and Recreation to develop a wildlife viewing site. Two small parking lots along the road that accesses Northrup Canyon off state highway 155, about seven miles south of Grand Coulee, provide access to a walking trail
Into the canyon. Festival events include eagle-watching tours, lectures, and contests for eagle and other wildlife art, photos, and essays. The Colville Tribal Museum will open a new temporary exhibit in conjunction with the festival. For all details see http://www.eaglefestival.com .
Mark your calendar and plan to register soon to participate in the highly popular tours and other activities of the 12th annual Othello Sandhill Crane Festival , March 20-22. For more information, see http://www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org/ .
Results of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's annual mid-winter aerial waterfowl survey in the Columbia Basin are now available on WDFW's northcentral region webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/reg/eventopp/events2.htm . Waterfowl populations in the North Columbia Basin were mostly normal, with good corn availability, although many wetland areas frozen. The Columbia National Wildlife Refuge south of Potholes Reservoir is holding about 25 percent of all mallards seen on the entire survey.
Southcentral Washington
Fishing: WDFW district fish biologist Eric Anderson reports the start of major rainbow trout stocking efforts this month in many of the region's year-round open lakes. "Most catchable-size trout will be larger this year because we have changed our production at Naches Hatchery to be more efficient," Anderson said. "We're growing fish at 2.5 fish per pound compared to our past production of three fish per pound, so we'll be stocking fewer fish, but they will be larger."
Some of the first waters to receive fish this month include these in Kittitas County: North Fio Rito Lake - 3,000 catchables, 700 "jumbos" (about one-half-pound trout); South Fio Rito Lake - 1,500 catchables; Mattoon Lake - 3,600 catchables, 400 jumbos; and McCabe Pond - 500 catchables.
All details of all trout stocking in the region are available both at the Yakima regional office (1701 S. 24th Ave.) or on WDFW's southcentral regional webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/regions/reg3/index.htm .
Wildlife viewing: Results of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's annual mid-winter aerial waterfowl survey in the Columbia Basin are now available on WDFW's southcentral region webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/reg/eventopp/events3.htm . Waterfowl populations and wetland conditions in the South Columbia Basin were mostly normal with little ice cover, except for the Lower Yakima Valley.
McNary National Wildlife Refuge near the Tri-Cities invites volunteers to help with the annual spring cleanup Feb. 28. Volunteers will clean waterfowl blinds, pathways, and parking lots, and help with other refuge projects. For more information, contact Jennifer_bradbury@fws.gov or leave a message at (509) 942-8184.
Media Contact<br />
(Fish) 360-902-2700 or (Wildlife) 360-902-2515
Sometimes it pays to be an early bird, said Joe Hymer, a fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
"The best spring chinook fishing is still a few weeks out, but there may not be a better time than now for smelt dippers to plan a trip to the Cowlitz River," Hymer said. Several signs, including a recent commercial catch, point to the presence of smelt moving into the river.
The Cowlitz River is open to smelt dipping from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. each Saturday through March 28, with a daily catch limit of 10 pounds per person. For more information, see the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/creel/smelt . All other tributaries to the Columbia River in Washington state are closed to smelt fishing at this time.
Across the Cascades, icy conditions in eastern and central Washington will likely delay the catch at some lakes that open for trout fishing March 1. But several Tucannon River impoundments in the southeast corner of the state that open that day are stocked and ready for action. See the regional fishing reports below for more detail.
Meanwhile, winter blackmouth fisheries - particularly in Hood Canal and around the San Juan Islands - continue to produce good catches in Puget Sound. A creel check of anglers aboard 53 boats fishing on Hood Canal near Seabeck showed an average of one resident chinook for every two poles.
Looking ahead, WDFW has tentatively scheduled the first morning razor-clam dig of the year March 27-29, pending the results of upcoming marine toxin tests. Two other morning digs are also tentatively scheduled in April. More information is available on these digs in the South Sound/Olympic Peninsula regional report below.
Of course, anglers aren't alone in anticipating the arrival of spring. Great blue herons are touching down on the Spokane River and sandhill cranes are beginning their mating dance in the Vancouver Lowlands. For more information on fishing, wildlife watching and other outdoor recreation throughout the state, see the regional reports below.
North Puget Sound
Fishing: The steelhead fishery in the region is winding down, with a number of rivers and streams closing to sport fishing at the end of February. Meanwhile, the blackmouth season is in full swing out on Puget Sound, where anglers are hooking some nice salmon.
"The San Juan Islands continue to be strong for blackmouth fishing," said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. "It's not as hot as it was a couple weeks ago, but anglers are still doing well throughout the islands."
Anglers participating in the recent Roche Harbor Salmon Derby took advantage of the good fishing. A total of 344 anglers landed 115 fish during the derby, which took place Feb. 5-7. Shannon Terrell finished first in the derby with an 18-pound, 6-ounce chinook. The Bellingham resident took home $10,000, while Wayne Logsdon of Mount Vernon pocketed $5,000 for his second-place 16.1-pound salmon. Bret Thurman of Orcas Island was awarded $1,500 for his third-place fish, which weighed in at 15.15 pounds.
Anglers fishing in Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands) can keep two hatchery chinook as part of their two-salmon daily limit. They must, however, release wild chinook, which have an intact adipose fin. Thiesfeld reminds anglers that - unlike in previous years - selective gear rules apply through April 15 in the Marine Area 7 blackmouth fishery.
Elsewhere, blackmouth fisheries in marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay) and 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) continue to be slow, Thiesfeld said. Anglers in those two areas, as well as Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet), also can keep two hatchery chinook as part of their two-salmon daily limit.
Time is running out for steelheaders in the region. A number of the region's rivers, including the Snohomish, Nooksack and Skykomish close to steelhead fishing at the end of the month.
Most areas of the Skagit River, however, remain open for the harvest of hatchery steelhead through March 15, said Brett Barkdull, WDFW fish biologist. Although the Skagit, from the Dalles Bridge at Concrete to the Cascade River, will be open to catch-and-release for all steelhead from March 16 through April 30.
Barkdull reminds steelheaders on the Skagit fishing from boats, sleds or any other floating device equipped with a gas or electric motor that it's illegal to fish while under power during the catch-and-release season that begins March 16.
Cutthroat trout fishing in Lake Washington is still an option. Anglers have had success in recent weeks hooking trout around the creek mouths. The daily limit is five trout, but rainbow trout measuring more than 20 inches and steelhead must be released. Beginning March 1, trout must measure at least 12 inches in length to be retained.
For more information on the rules and regulations for Lake Washington, as well as other freshwater and saltwater fisheries, check WDFW's Fishing in Washington pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
Hunting: WDFW is accepting applications for spring black bear hunting permits through March 13. To be eligible for a permit, hunters must purchase a special permit application and a 2009 hunting license that includes bear as a species option. A drawing will be held in mid-March for 295 permits in western Washington and 225 permits on the east side of the state. Successful applicants will be notified by March 31.
Hunting licenses, bear transport tags and bear permit applications may be purchased online ( https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ ), by phone (866-246-9453) or at any license vendor in the state. Applications, which require a correct hunt choice number, may be submitted online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ or by calling (877) 945-3492.
Wildlife viewing: With spring just around the corner, the weather has become a bit more cooperative for birders, who have found a number of interesting species throughout the region. On a return visit to Lummi Island, one birder spotted several pigeon guillemots - birds he saw days earlier in winter plumage. "I returned to Lummi Island and many of the guillemots there were in breeding plumage, with only a minority of the birds I saw still in their winter coats," the birder reported on Tweeters website ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ). While in breeding plumage, the stocky birds with bright red feet, are solid black with white wing patches.
Farther south, a birder visiting from South Carolina was surprised by several birds he spotted while staying in the Seward Park area. Noisy Steller's and western scrub jays , caught the birders attention, as well as the golden-crowned sparrows in the area. The birder also was surprised by the size of the region's crows. "Your local American crows sure are small," he noted on Tweeters. "Clearly, there's a lot of Northwestern crow happening in their DNA."
Meanwhile, whalewatchers have had some success recently. A pod of resident orca whales was seen traveling the waters of Haro Strait, in the San Juan Islands. Nearby, a pod of transient orcas also was spotted loitering in the area before heading north of the islands.
South Sound/Olympic Peninsula
Fishing: Blackmouth fishing is off to a strong start in Hood Canal, while steelhead anglers are hoping for some rain on the northern peninsula. In the weeks ahead, a three-day razor clam dig is proposed for late March.
Anglers fishing for blackmouth salmon near Seabeck during President's Day weekend made a good choice for starting off the season, said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. "The weather was great and folks on Hood Canal did well over the weekend," Thiesfeld said. A creel check of 53 boats showed an average of one fish for every two poles.
Fishing was considerably slower in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and southern Puget Sound. A creel check at John Wayne Marina showed 186 anglers with 21 blackmouth, while 303 anglers checked at Port Townsend Boat Haven caught 40 fish. At Point Defiance (Marine Area 11), the average was one fish for every 13 anglers.
The 33rd annual Discovery Bay Salmon Derby, held Feb. 14-6, proved successful for Tom Casey of Sequim who won the $5,000 first prize for his 18.85-pound blackmouth salmon. Ninety-nine anglers submitted 102 fish during the state's longest-running derby.
Anglers should note that the Geoduck Salmon Derby, scheduled Feb. 28 through March 1 in Brinnon has been canceled.
Fisheries for blackmouth salmon will run through April 10 in marine areas 5 (Sekiu), 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 11 (Tacoma-Vashon) and 12 (Hood Canal) with a one-fish daily limit. Thiesfeld reminds anglers that Marine Area 13 (South Puget Sound) will reopen March 1.
On the freshwater, steelhead fishing has been slow and effort down on several north coast rivers, said Randy Copper, WDFW fish biologist. "We're still in the transition phase from hatchery to wild, but the main reason for the poor turnout is low and clear water, especially in the Bogachiel and Sol Duc," Cooper said.
Cooper said that during these conditions anglers tend to fish the Hoh River, where a Feb. 13-15 creel check showed that 200 anglers on the lower portion came up with 32 hatchery steelhead and 30 wild (eight released). During the same time period, 33 anglers fishing the Sol Duc caught three hatchery steelhead and 9 wild (two released).
"We should get a better idea of the steelhead run after the next good rainfall brings the fish in from the saltwater," Cooper said. He reminds anglers that retention of wild steelhead is currently limited to one fish per year on the Bogachiel, Calawah, Clearwater, Dickey, Hoh, Hoko, Pysht, Quillayute, Quinault and Sol Duc. Elsewhere, all wild steelhead-identifiable by an intact adipose fin-must be released.
There is no annual limit for hatchery steelhead, although daily limits apply. For more information on rules and regulations, anglers should check the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
Anglers looking ahead to lingcod season should note that the popular fishery opens March 14 along the coast at Ilwaco (Marine Area 1), Westport/Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2) and La Push (Marine Area 3).
Razor clam diggers are advised that a three-day dig has been tentatively scheduled on morning tides March 27-29, provided that marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat. Two digs are also tentatively scheduled on morning tides April 10-12 and April 25-27.
Tentative opening dates and morning low tides in March are:
* Friday, March 27 (7:49 a.m. 0.0 ft.) Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
* Saturday, March 28 (8:29 a.m. -0.4 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks<br />
* Sunday, March 29 (9:12 a.m. -0.6 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Hunting: WDFW is accepting applications for spring black bear hunting permits through March 13. To be eligible for a permit, hunters must purchase a special permit application and a 2009 hunting license that includes bear as a species option. Hunting licenses, bear transport tags and bear permit applications may be purchased online ( https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ ), by phone (866) 246-9453) or at any license vendor in the state. Applications, which require a correct hunt choice number, may be submitted online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ or by calling (877) 945-3492.
Wildlife viewing: The tallies are coming in after the conclusion of the 12th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), held Feb. 13-16 throughout the United States and Canada. As of Feb. 18, Washington state was among the top 10 in reporting most species (198) and most birds seen (nearly 600,000). Approximately 2,300 checklists from the state have been submitted with the American robin (249,512) and American crow (70,868) grabbing top honors for most sightings. The top five locations submitting the most checklists include Olympia, Seattle, Sequim, Yakima and Issaquah.
A joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society , the annual GBBC allows enthusiasts of all ages to make a contribution to conservation by counting birds at a chosen site on one or more days of the event and reporting the sightings online at www.birdcount.org . Check out the site as more reports come in.
An American kestrel has been seen numerous times near Olympia on the east side of Delphi Road SW (one mile north of the turnoff into McLane Park). This raptor is the smallest of Washington's falcons and noted for its striking blue, black and tan markings. Often seen in eastern Washington, kestrels are rarer on the west side of the state.
Southwest Washington
Fishing: Smelt dippers could get their best chance of the season to scoop up some tasty eulachon from the Cowlitz River in the days ahead, while the number of anglers prospecting for early arriving spring chinook in the lower Columbia River continues to rise.
All signs were pointing to the presence of smelt in the Cowlitz, just three days ahead of the scheduled opening Saturday, Feb. 21, said Joe Hymer, a WDFW fish biologist. A commercial dipper landed 2,000 pounds in the lower river the previous Sunday, he said, noting that the seals and seabirds have been active, too.
"We could be seeing the main body of the run," Hymer said. "We don't know how long it will last, but the next week or two may be as good as it gets for smelt dipping this year."
The Cowlitz River is open to smelt dipping from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. each Saturday through March 28, with a daily catch limit of 10 pounds per person. The results of test fisheries are posted each Thursday on the WDFW website ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/creel/smelt/index.htm ). All other tributaries to the Columbia River in Washington state are closed to smelt fishing at this time.
Where there's smelt there's often sturgeon , so a good showing of smelt could also improve prospects for sturgeon fishing in the lower Columbia River Basin. Sturgeon fishing has been fairly slow both above and below Bonneville Dam in recent weeks, but an influx of smelt could invigorate the fishery downriver from the Cowlitz, Hymer said.
Late-run hatchery steelhead are already moving into the Cowlitz and Kalama rivers in greater numbers, with the highest catches reported at Blue Creek and below the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery.
Meanwhile, the anticipation continues to build over the spring chinook fishery on the lower Columbia River, where about three dozen boats were spotted trolling for early arrivals on a recent weekend day. A few "springers" reportedly had been pulled from the Willamette River through mid-February, but the main action won't get under way until mid-March, said Cindy LeFleur, WDFW Columbia River policy coordinator.
"This is shaping up to be a very good year for spring chinook fishing in the Columbia River," LeFleur said. "The first fish have just begun to arrive, and we hope to see a lot more of them in the months ahead."
According to the pre-season forecast, nearly 300,000 upriver spring chinook are expected to enter the Columbia River this year, which would make this year's return the third highest since 1977. An additional 37,000 "springers" are also expected to return to the Willamette River, up from 27,000 last year.
Under initial seasons adopted by fishery managers from Washington and Oregon, anglers will be able to fish for spring chinook from the mouth of the Columbia River to Bonneville Dam through mid-April.
Below Hayden Island, the new season provides 30 days of spring chinook fishing in March and April, compared to just 12 days last year. During those two months, anglers also will have 39 days - up from 36 days last year - to catch and retain spring chinook from Hayden Island upriver to Bonneville Dam.
LeFleur noted that the fishery could extend beyond April, but that late-season regulations have not been set because of differences between the fish and wildlife commissions of Washington and Oregon over how to allocate the catch.
In March and April, Columbia River anglers will be able to fish for spring chinook salmon at the following locations and times:
* West power lines on Hayden Island downstream to Buoy 10: Seven days per week from March 1-15. Beginning March 16 through April 18, fishing will be limited to three days per week, Thursdays through Saturdays.<br />
* West power lines on Hayden Island to Bonneville Dam: Seven days per week from March 1-22. Beginning March 23 through April 22, fishing will be limited to four days per week, Wednesday through Saturday.<br />
* Tower Island power lines above Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam: Seven days per week from March 16 through April 30. The Washington and Oregon bank fishery will also be open from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Tower Island power lines.
Until March 1, spring chinook fishing is open under regulations described in the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington rule pamphlet. Anglers fishing for spring chinook salmon may also retain shad and hatchery steelhead , as outlined in the rule pamphlet.
Under a new rule approved by the Washington commission, anglers fishing below McNary Dam may retain two marked, hatchery-reared adult salmon or steelhead (or one of each) per day. However, only one adult chinook salmon may be retained per day downstream from Bonneville Dam. This will also be the case in Deep River, whenever the section of the Columbia River downstream from Hayden Island is open for salmon fishing.
In all areas, anglers are required to release any chinook salmon not clearly marked as a hatchery-reared fish, since a portion of the wild upriver spring chinook run is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. Unmarked steelhead must also be released. Hatchery fish can be identified by a clipped adipose fin with a healed scar.
While the spring chinook run builds, some anglers have been catching trout in year-round lakes around the region. At Klineline Pond, 93 bank anglers reeled in 86 rainbows on a recent day. The pond was planted with 2,000 half-pounders Feb. 9. Elsewhere, Fort Borst Park Pond in Chehalis received 3,000 catchable-size rainbows, Silver Lake in Castle Rock got 2,100 and Battleground Lake got 2,000.
Hunting: WDFW is accepting applications for spring black bear hunting permits through March 13. To be eligible for a permit, hunters must purchase a special permit application and a 2009 hunting license that includes bear as a species option. A drawing will be held in mid-March for 295 permits in western Washington and 225 permits on the east side of the state. Successful applicants will be notified by March 31.
Hunting licenses, bear transport tags and bear permit applications may be purchased online ( https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ ), by phone (866-246-9453) or at any license vendor in the state. Applications, which require a correct hunt choice number, may be submitted online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ or by calling (877) 945-3492.
Wildlife viewing: Participants in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) have until March 1 to file their lists of birds sighted earlier this month. Together, those lists will provide ornithologists with a snapshot of avian life throughout North America. The GBBC website ( http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc ) also contains hundreds of photographs of birds tallied in this year's count.
Many of the birds featured in those photos - ranging from white-breasted nuthatches to sandhill cranes - could have been taken here in southwest Washington. Sandhill cranes , now arriving in the Vancouver Lowlands, are just starting to warm up for their annual display of affection before heading north with their partners. In the weeks ahead, thousands of the large birds - with wingspans of up to seven feet - will visit prime feeding areas before undertaking the long migration to their northern breeding areas.
First, though, comes the dance. Sandhill cranes, which mate for life, are renown for their elaborate courtship behavior, involving acrobatic movements and an exchange of loud calls. This dance often begins with one bird, which makes a series of bowing, jumping and stick-tossing movements. Others in the flock then pick up the tempo, leaping into the air with wings outstretched. As one observer put it, the dancing pairs "look like marionette puppets frolicking delicately on strings."
Sandhill cranes aren't the only large birds on display in the region. Two birders reporting on the Tweeters website ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ) counted 21 trumpeter swans and 13 tundra swans on Carty Lake at the Carty Unit of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Several trumpeters were also spotted on a pond off Highway 4, just west of Skamokawa.
Eastern Washington
Fishing: The end of ice fishing for rainbow and brown trout and yellow perch at Waitts Lake in southern Stevens County is usually followed by new angling opportunities March 1. But WDFW central district fish biologist Chris Donley of Spokane says most if not all of the fisheries opening March 1 in the district will likely be iced up just enough to be inaccessible.
"They won't necessarily be safe for ice fishing," Donley explained. "Weather forecasts indicate more above-freezing days with below-freezing nights, so lake surfaces may be thawing and re-freezing. Productive fishing will likely be delayed until there's more open water."
Three lakes are opening for the first time this year on March 1 - Downs Lake in southwest Spokane County with bass, crappie, perch and rainbow trout ; Liberty Lake east of Spokane with brown and rainbow trout, bass, and perch; and Medical Lake near the town of the same name with brown and rainbow trout.
Also opening March 1: Amber Lake in southwest Spokane County for catch-and-release of rainbow and cutthroat trout ; Coffeepot Lake in Lincoln County for rainbows, yellow perch and black crappie under selective gear rules; North Silver Lake in southwest Spokane County for rainbows under selective gear rules and a requirement to release adipose-fin-clipped fish; and Deer Lake in southern Stevens County for lake trout .
In the south end of the region where winter is fading faster, most of the seven impoundments off the Tucannon River on WDFW's Wooten Wildlife Area in Columbia County that open to fishing March 1 are - or soon will be - stocked with hatchery rainbow trout and ready for action. That's the short-term good news, says WDFW southeast district fish biologist Glen Mendel.
"We've had to reduce stocking some of these man-made lakes because they're losing depth and volume and need to be re-dredged," Mendel explained. "Some have dam maintenance issues, too. We've been working with our wildlife area citizen advisory group to address these problems and hope to draft some proposals for long-term maintenance action."
Meanwhile, starting March 1 anglers can ply the waters of Beaver, Big Four, Blue, Deer, Rainbow, Spring and Watson lakes for "catchable-size" (about one-third pound) and "jumbo" (about one-half pound) trout from the Tucannon Fish Hatchery. The total number of trout allotted in several plants throughout the 10-month-long season by lake are: Beaver, 500 catchables; Big Four, 2,000 catchables and 300 jumbos; Blue, 23,300 catchables and 400 jumbos; Deer, 3,300 catchables and 25 jumbos; Rainbow, 15,000 catchables and 300 jumbos; Spring, 11,000 catchables and 300 jumbos; Watson, 20,000 catchables and 300 jumbos. Specific stocking numbers by the week are available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/weekly/ .
Fishhook Pond in Walla Walla County and Pampa Pond in Whitman County also open on March 1 for stocked rainbow fishing.
Three year-round-open small impoundments off the Snake River near the bottom of Alpowa Grade west of Clarkston in Asotin County - Golf Course, Silcott and West Evans ponds - were recently stocked with one-third-pound rainbow trout from Lyons Ferry Hatchery, and WDFW enforcement officers report fishing activity is picking up.
Orchard Pond, a year-round impoundment off the Snake River in Columbia County, recently received over a thousand catchable size rainbows and 25 jumbos from the Lyons Ferry Hatchery.
Snake River system steelhead action is picking up as tributaries receive a shot of water from snowpack melt. WDFW enforcement officers recently patrolling the Snake report steelheaders doing well in the Lower Granite dam area and on the upper river near Clarkston. Most boats coming off the river at Swallow's Nest averaged two steelhead.
WDFW enforcement officers also report sturgeon fishing activity in the Central Ferry area of the Snake River is beginning to increase, although catching is slow. The sturgeon daily catch limit is one fish of minimum size 48 inches, maximum size 60 inches.
Anglers can gear up and learn about fishing opportunities at the second annual Great Western Sportfishing Show, March 6-8, at the Spokane Convention Center. For more information see http://www.greatwesternsportfishingshow.com/Home.html .
Wildlife viewing: Moose continue to make themselves very "viewable" to Spokane area residents by escaping snow cover at higher elevations to browse on suburban neighborhood landscape plants and other easy meals. In some situations, WDFW staff have been "escorting" them back to the woods or occasionally tranquilizing and relocating them. WDFW wildlife biologist Woody Myers says the moose population continues to grow along with the area's human population, and the two need to learn to get along. "We can't move every moose that wanders through," he said. "And by this time of winter, these animals are hungry, weary and a little cranky."
As with deer and elk, homeowners may need to explore landscaping with less palatable plants, keep livestock feed and hay protected and minimize or avoid feeding birds. When moose are around, keep dogs and small children under control to avoid problems.
Both white-tailed and mule deer are also providing closer-than-comfortable viewing on or along open roadways throughout the north half of the region. Motorists are urged to slow down and be alert and aware of the possibilities for collisions with deer, especially near dawn and dusk. Bald eagles, ravens, magpies , and coyotes are easily observed scavenging road-killed deer carcasses.
Despite persistent wintery conditions, there are signs of coming spring. Great blue herons are returning to communal nesting areas along waterways throughout the region, including the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers. Red-winged blackbirds and robins have also been heard and seen in several locations throughout the region.
North Central Washington
Fishing: Many Columbia Basin lakes open to rainbow trout fishing March 1 but persistent wintery conditions will likely delay angling action.
"Even with forecasts of warmer daytime temperatures, there's a good chance most Columbia Basin lakes will still be iced up for the opener," said Jeff Korth, WDFW regional fish program manager. "At this point, the one exception is the north end of Martha Lake, which is already open and should provide good fishing right from the start of the season."
Korth predicts that because ice on most other lakes won't be thick enough for safe fishing, angling will be delayed.
"But that just means there likely won't be an opening day crowd and fishing will start more gradually and last longer through the season," Korth said.
Besides Martha Lake, near the town of George in Grant County, other Columbia Basin lakes opening March 1 on WDFW's Quincy Wildlife Area include Burke and Quincy lakes, southwest of the town of Quincy; Upper, Lower and West Caliche lakes, southwest of George; Dusty Lake, a selective gear rule fishery south of Quincy; and the small "walk-in" lakes - Cascade, Cliff, Crystal, Cup, Dot, George and Spring.
Lenice and Nunnally lakes, on WDFW's Crab Creek Wildlife Area just east of Beverly in southwest Grant County, open under selective gear rules March 1, but won't receive triploid rainbow plants until April. Much smaller Merry Lake in the same area also opens March 1.
Lake Lenore, north of the town of Soap Lake in Grant County, opens for catch-and-release trout fishing March 1. Because of its location in a north-south canyon, Korth says Lenore will almost surely still be iced up for the opener this year. Two to four-pound Lahontan cutthroat trout will be caught and released there by April.
Wildlife viewing: The eighth annual Balde Eagle Festival , Feb. 20 - 21, showcases the hundreds of wintering bald eagles in the Grand Coulee Dam area. The main eagle roosting area is along the south wall of Northrup Canyon, a part of Steamboat Rock State Park, where WDFW has teamed with the Department of Parks and Recreation to develop a wildlife viewing site. Two small parking lots along the road that accesses Northrup Canyon off state highway 155, about seven miles south of Grand Coulee, provide access to a walking trail
Into the canyon. Festival events include eagle-watching tours, lectures, and contests for eagle and other wildlife art, photos, and essays. The Colville Tribal Museum will open a new temporary exhibit in conjunction with the festival. For all details see http://www.eaglefestival.com .
Mark your calendar and plan to register soon to participate in the highly popular tours and other activities of the 12th annual Othello Sandhill Crane Festival , March 20-22. For more information, see http://www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org/ .
Results of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's annual mid-winter aerial waterfowl survey in the Columbia Basin are now available on WDFW's northcentral region webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/reg/eventopp/events2.htm . Waterfowl populations in the North Columbia Basin were mostly normal, with good corn availability, although many wetland areas frozen. The Columbia National Wildlife Refuge south of Potholes Reservoir is holding about 25 percent of all mallards seen on the entire survey.
Southcentral Washington
Fishing: WDFW district fish biologist Eric Anderson reports the start of major rainbow trout stocking efforts this month in many of the region's year-round open lakes. "Most catchable-size trout will be larger this year because we have changed our production at Naches Hatchery to be more efficient," Anderson said. "We're growing fish at 2.5 fish per pound compared to our past production of three fish per pound, so we'll be stocking fewer fish, but they will be larger."
Some of the first waters to receive fish this month include these in Kittitas County: North Fio Rito Lake - 3,000 catchables, 700 "jumbos" (about one-half-pound trout); South Fio Rito Lake - 1,500 catchables; Mattoon Lake - 3,600 catchables, 400 jumbos; and McCabe Pond - 500 catchables.
All details of all trout stocking in the region are available both at the Yakima regional office (1701 S. 24th Ave.) or on WDFW's southcentral regional webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/regions/reg3/index.htm .
Wildlife viewing: Results of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's annual mid-winter aerial waterfowl survey in the Columbia Basin are now available on WDFW's southcentral region webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/reg/eventopp/events3.htm . Waterfowl populations and wetland conditions in the South Columbia Basin were mostly normal with little ice cover, except for the Lower Yakima Valley.
McNary National Wildlife Refuge near the Tri-Cities invites volunteers to help with the annual spring cleanup Feb. 28. Volunteers will clean waterfowl blinds, pathways, and parking lots, and help with other refuge projects. For more information, contact Jennifer_bradbury@fws.gov or leave a message at (509) 942-8184.
Media Contact<br />
(Fish) 360-902-2700 or (Wildlife) 360-902-2515