Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 251 - 275 of 620
OLYMPIA – Anglers will have opportunities to fish for salmon in the ocean and Columbia River this year, although recreational and non-tribal commercial salmon fisheries in Puget Sound may be closed through much of the season. After lengthy negotiations, state and tribal fishery managers could not reach an agreement on salmon-fishing seasons in Puget Sound. An agreement must be reached in the next few weeks or the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and treaty tribes in western W... Full story
Action: Closes Columbia Park Pond to all fishing except those youths registered for the “Special Needs Fishing Event” on Friday, May 6, or the “Kids' Fishing Day” event on Saturday, May 7. In addition, the daily limit is reduced to three trout during the events. Effective dates: 12:01 a.m. May 4, to 3:00 p.m. May 7, 2016. Species affected: All game fish. Location: Columbia Park Pond located within Columbia Park in Kennewick. Reasons for action: This rule change is necessary to ensure success... Full story
Bill Luke Bass Days is "Making Bass Fishing Great Again!" The 18th annual event at Pleasant Harbor RV Resort and Marina is handing out over $50,000 in cash prizes over the course of the three-days bass fishing tournament. The bass fishing tournament has six daily hourly weigh-ins; every hour first place pays $300, second through tenth place pay $100. Top Overall Big Bass this year wins $10,000! The Biggest Bass of The Day, each day, will win $2,000. And, Bill Luke will pay a $1,000 cash award... Full story
In 1966, boaters could buy a new mid-sized cruiser for about $7,000, outboard engines had just surpassed 100 horsepower, and recreational boating was growing on a large scale across America. It was also in '66 that the nation's largest recreational boating group, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), got its start thanks to Founder Richard Schwartz who saw a need to make recreational boaters' lives better. Schwartz's Vision His vision of offering representation, improving safety... Full story
The Reel Deel Bass Action Look for the bass action to get even better at some our pristine lakes in the desert. Apache, Canyon and Saguaro all have been stocked with rainbow trout throughout the winter, so throwing some trout-imitation swim baits can produce some trophy bass. With an onset of warmer-than-average temperatures, more bass have ventured into shallower waters in a pre-spawn mode (certainly at Roosevelt and likely Saguaro, too) and are willing to chase crankbaits, spinnerbaits and cha... Full story
YELLOWTAIL TIME – The eighth annual Yellowtail Derby is set for Saturday, April 30 through Sunday, June 5. This premier fishing event out of San Diego offers a total of $30,000 in cash and prizes (based on 500 entries). The entry fee for all 36 days is, until March 15, $60; after that, it is $80. Juniors (ages 8 to 14) pay $40. This annual favorite is open to private boater anglers, including kayakers. The target species are yellowtail, white seabass, and halibut; there are prizes in each c... Full story
Offshore anglers, commercial fishermen and workboat operators can rely on new Hella Marine Sea Hawk-R floodlights to shine on in the harshest conditions. Their compact design and bright, dependable illumination are backed by a five-year warranty. Contact local dealers or www.hellamarine.com.... Full story
Action: Kalama River anglers may keep up to 2 hatchery adult spring chinook beginning Saturday, March 10. Effective date: March 10, 2016 until further notice. Species affected: Chinook salmon. Location: Kalama River from boundary markers at the mouth to 1,000 feet below the fishway at the upper salmon hatchery. Reason for action: The preseason forecast is for 4,900 adult spring chinook to return to the Kalama in 2016. The hatchery escapement goal of 400 fish is expected to be met, leaving... Full story
Action: Anglers must release all chinook salmon. Species affected: Chinook salmon. Effective date: March 10, 2016 until further notice. Location: Lewis River from the mouth upstream to the overhead powerlines below Merwin Dam. Reason for action: The pre-season forecast is for a return of 1,100 adult spring chinook to the Lewis River in 2016 compared to a hatchery escapement goal of approximately 1,350 fish. The closure is necessary to provide the hatchery with as many returning fish as possible... Full story
Action: Steelhead anglers on these three Cowlitz County streams will be able to fish for hatchery steelhead. Effective date: March 16, 2016 through April 15, 2016 Species affected: Hatchery steelhead Locations: * Mill Creek. * Germany Creek, including all tributaries. *Abernathy Creek from the mouth (Hwy. 4 Bridge) upstream to posted markers 500 feet below Abernathy Fish Technology Center Reason for action: Hatchery winter steelhead smolts are released into Abernathy Creek as part of a hatchery... Full story
Saturday, March 19 (next Saturday) is our annual National Archery in the Schools (NASP) State Tournament at Ben Avery. We have more than 300 youth archers registered for the event plus their parents and / or chaperones. They will be shooting both target archery and many shoot 3D animal targets. We would like to extend and invitation to any organization or group, especially archery hunting groups, that would like to setup a booth or trailer to do any outreach and education about your programs... Full story
A local company that that helps boaters get safely home was singled out for its professionalism at the BoatUS Towing Services Annual Conference recently held in Jupiter, Fla. "Tower of the Year" honors went to TowBoatUS Catalina, which is owned and operated by Captains Nathan Lins, Jordan Lake and Greg Dreischmeyer. The company, a familiar site in Avalon Harbor and Catalina Island waters with three red response vessels, was recognized for its near perfect 24-hour towing dispatch operation, super... Full story
Tip Alamo Lake can be a crappie hot spot this time of the year. Heavy rains might delay the great winter crappie bite, but it bodes well for the lake's productivity. Catfishing can still be excellent. These voracious channel catfish at Alamo routinely feed on shad. Try live minnows on the bottom or drop-shot style just off the bottom. The Reel Deal Water temperatures across the state have dropped to their winter standards, and rain and snow has slowed or stalled driving in the high country. Be... Full story
Honorary Chair: Johnny Morris National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF Day) has named leading national conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris to serve as the honorary chair for NHF Day 2016: Saturday, Sept. 24. A lifelong sportsman with a passion for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation, Morris is one of the country's foremost leaders working to ensure natural habitats, wildlife and the outdoors remain healthy for future generations to protect and enjoy. "America's sportsmen... Full story
Sales of personal watercraft and pre-owned boats see surge and boater participation rises, demonstrating Canadians' ongoing interest in boating. TORONTO - (January 12, 2016) The Canadian recreational boating industry's leading trade group, the National Marine Manufacturer's Association (NMMA), announced today the release of its annual Canadian Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract for 2015, which reveals the Canadian recreational marine industry remains steady as sales increase in certain ca... Full story
Temperatures are warming, birds are singing and the lower Columbia River will soon be teeming with spring chinook salmon. Spring is still a ways off, but February offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. State fishery managers expect about 299,000 adult spring chinook to the Columbia River this year. The fishery is open now below the Interstate 5 Bridge, but it usually doesn’t catch fire until March when fishing expands upriver to Bonneville Dam and beyond. For information about the... Full story
OLYMPIA – Anglers, commercial fishers and others interested in Washington state salmon fisheries can get a preview of this year's salmon returns and potential fishing seasons during a public meeting March 1 in Olympia. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will present initial forecasts – compiled by state and tribal biologists – of 2016 salmon returns. The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E.,... Full story
Last month two amazing fish were landed in our San Diego waters. A 50# Yellowtail was landed off La Jolla by angler Naum. The photo is by Victor Posada. Kayak angler, Brian Fagan, on Jan 28, landed a 74.2 # White Seabass off La Joll. It was weighed in at Dana Landing. This could be an IGFA line class World Record. Brian's picture with the White Seabass was in a story in the San Diego Union Tribune on Tuesday of this week. I called Brian and encouraged him to submit the catch to the IGFA. Looks l... Full story
There have been significant advances made in reel design over the last several years. Today’s reels are smaller, lighter, stronger, smoother and, in many cases, faster than ever before. Abu Garcia has driven many of these innovations with game-changing models in their popular Revo baitcaster line. It’s impossible not to like the powerful Abu Revo MGX or the speedy Revo Rocket. Both offer performance upgrades that help put fish in the boat. Let’s fast-forward to today. And tomorrow. While innov... Full story
Starting tomorrow, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on H.R. 2406 (the SHARE Act)—a comprehensive sportsmen’s focused piece of legislation that includes critical language ensuring access to our nation’s public waters. A key provision of the SHARE Act, is language requiring the National Park Service and NOAA marine sanctuaries to work together with state fisheries agencies before recreational or commercial fishing access is restricted. This critical collaboration would help rever... Full story
In a victory for boaters and anglers, the recent passage of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act also includes re-authorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through the year 2020. After significant lobbying by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) along with other boating and angling organizations, in 1984 Congress passed legislation establishing what was then called the Wallop/Breaux Trust Fund. Now called the Sport Fish Restoration and... Full story
Recently a story surfaced in the local news that the Department had lifted all fishing regulations at Tempe Town Lake and that anglers were free to take whatever they wanted. We want to ensure anglers have facts: • First, the Department has agreed to cease all fish stockings in Tempe Town Lake until the project has been completed, and the lake has been refilled. • Second, the Department has not lifted all fishing regulations for Tempe Town Lake, but we are evaluating options that could inc... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is launching a new program to encourage anglers to learn more about trout fishing in Arizona. The Arizona Trout Challenge Program is an incentive program that highlights the state's unique species, waters, and fishing opportunities. Any angler completing the Challenge will receive a certificate featuring the species caught along with the date and location. In addition, the first group of anglers to complete the Challenge will receive other items that may... Full story
Fair Chase is the ethical, sportsmanlike and lawful pursuit and take of free-range wildlife in a manner that does not give a hunter or an angler improper or unfair advantage over such wildlife. Fair Chase has been embraced as the proper conduct of a sportsman/sportswoman in the field and has been taught to new hunters for more than a century. It pays respect to the traditions of hunting and angling by emphasizing the development of an individual's skills rather than reliance on practices or... Full story
In Arizona, winter doesn't have to mean sending boats and rods and reels into hibernation. While outdoor recreation opportunities across many U.S. states shut down during the season of freeze, Arizona rolls on with trout stockings and water temperatures just warm enough to convince fish to bite during the holidays. Although fishing tends to slow a tad this time of the year, there are some spots that are winter-friendly. Here, then, in no particular order, are the Arizona Game and Fish Department... Full story