Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 263
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
OLYMPIA – State fishery managers have decided to separately secure the federal permit required to hold salmon fisheries this season in Puget Sound. The decision was made Tuesday after negotiations over salmon seasons with tribal leaders again came to an impasse. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the tribes last week could not reach an agreement during the annual season-setting process. “We had hoped additional conversations with the tribes would result in fisheries tha... 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
Several fisheries are set to open in the weeks ahead, and the year’s first hunting season isn’t far behind. With a new season of outdoor adventures about to begin, Washingtonians might want to consider purchasing 2016-17 fishing and hunting licenses before current licenses expire at midnight March 31. The cost of fishing and hunting licenses remains the same as last year, and most annual licenses include a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) vehicle-access pass. That pass all... Full story
OLYMPIA – Another decent return of hatchery chinook salmon to the Columbia River is forecast this year, but expected low returns of coho could put a damper on salmon fisheries in the river, along the coast and in Puget Sound. Forecasts for chinook, coho, sockeye and chum salmon, which were developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and treaty tribes, were released today at a public meeting in Olympia. The forecast meeting marks the starting point for developing 2016 s... 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 – State shellfish managers have proposed two days of razor clam digging in February at Copalis beach in addition to an approved a month-long opening at Long Beach that starts today. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has tentatively scheduled a dig on evening tides for Feb. 19 and 20 at Copalis, provided that marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat. WDFW will announce final word on the dig about a week before it is scheduled to begin. The upcoming dig at C... 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
OLYMPIA – Razor clam diggers can count on openings beginning Feb. 19 at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches, state shellfish managers announced today. Additionally, Long Beach remains open to clam digging on afternoon or evening tides through March 10. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved a two-day opening (Feb. 19 and 20) at Copalis and three days of digging (Feb. 19-21) at Mocrocks on evening tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat. Dan Ayres, WDFW co... 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
For Washingtonians, the start of the new year is a great time to hunt for waterfowl, fish for steelhead, and enjoy the annual spectacle of bald eagles, snow geese, elk, big-horn sheep and other wintering wildlife. But weather is an important consideration. Preparation is essential for any outdoor activity, especially in winter. Check the weather conditions, river conditions and road conditions – and let people know where you’re going before heading out. Those hardy souls that do head out... Full story
OLYMPIA – Recreational spot shrimp fishing in Puget Sound will open Saturday, May 14 – one week later than usual, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today. Shellfish managers are delaying the popular shrimp fishery until May 14 due to the extremely low tides that are expected to occur midday on the first Saturday in May, which traditionally marks the start of the season throughout Puget Sound. Low tides of this magnitude will render many boat ramps around Puget Sou... Full story
OLYMPIA – The public will have an opportunity to comment on salmon and sturgeon management on the lower Columbia River during a meeting of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission scheduled Jan. 22-23 in Vancouver, Wash. The commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will also receive a briefing and accept public comments on the status of four protected species: the northern spotted owl, snowy plover, western gray squirrel and greater s... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has begun distributing $8.2 million in funding for 12 local projects designed to protect and restore the natural shorelines around Puget Sound. Project sponsors include local governments, tribes and non-profit organizations from Hood Canal to the Snohomish River Delta who applied for funding through two competitive grant programs administered by the department. Funding distributed by WDFW through those programs comes from a c... Full story
OLYMPIA – Clam diggers will have an opportunity to dig for razor clams on Copalis Beach over the Christmas holiday if the next marine toxin test confirms the clams are safe to eat, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today. The dig is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 24, 25 and 26 at Copalis Beach on evening tides. No other state beach will be open to digging those three days. State shellfish managers emphasized the Copalis dig hinges on results from the next marine t... Full story
Action: Opens the North and South Forks of the Newaukum River. Effective Dates: Immediately. Species affected: All species. Location: Newaukum River – North and South Forks (Lewis County). Reason for action: Cooler weather and recent precipitation have increased flows in these tributaries eliminating the need for the drought-related fishing closures adopted in August. Information contact: Mike Scharpf, District Fish Biologist, 360-249-1205. Fishers must have a current Washington fishing l... Full story
Action: Lifts closures in the Yakima Basin. Effective date: Immediately. Species affected: All game fish (trout, whitefish, etc.). Locations: Ahtanum Creek, including the North Fork and Middle Fork Little Naches River Teanaway River, including the West, Middle and North forks Reason for action: Cooler weather and recent precipitation have increased flows in these tributaries eliminating the need for the drought-related fishing closures adopted in mid-July. Additional Information: The fishing sea... Full story
Action: Closes the following areas to salmon fishing: (1) Snohomish River (Snohomish County): From the mouth (Burlington Northern Railroad bridges) of the Snohomish River upstream to the confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers. (2) Skykomish River: From the mouth upstream to the confluence of the North and South Forks. (3) Snoqualmie River: From the mouth upstream to Snoqualmie Falls. (4) Wallace River: From the mouth upstream to 200 feet above the water intake for the salmon... Full story
Action: Fishing for chum salmon opens in Marine Area 10, with a daily limit of 2. Effective Date: 12:01 a.m., Oct. 28, 2015 through Jan. 31, 2016. Species affected: Chum salmon Location: Marine Area 10 within Puget Sound. Reason for action: Following the emergency closure of Marine Area 10 to all salmon fishing on Oct. 19 (due to estimated total encounters of chinook salmon reaching the allowable limits for the area), WDFW biologists have continued to assess the most recent monitoring data from... Full story
OLYMPIA – Starting Nov. 1, anglers will be restricted to one hatchery-reared adult coho salmon per day as part of their catch limit on several tributaries to the lower Columbia River. Poor returns of coho salmon prompted state fishery managers to reduce the daily limit to one hatchery adult coho – down from six – to preserve fish for state hatchery propagation and restoration programs. Waters affected by the new limit include the Deep, Grays, Elochoman, Cowlitz, Toutle, Green, Tilton, Cispu... Full story
OLYMPIA – Anglers fishing for salmon in Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) will be allowed to keep chum only beginning Nov. 1, state fishery managers announced today. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) had scheduled an opening for hatchery chinook salmon to begin Sunday, Nov. 1, but has postponed that season to protect a large number of juvenile chinook in those waters. “We’re seeing more young chinook out there than we’ve seen in over a decade,” said Ron Warren, WDFW fisheries... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider approving revisions to rules addressing sources of conflict between people and wildlife, such as wildlife damaging crops or harming livestock, at a meeting Nov. 13-14 in Olympia. The commission also will hold a public meeting on Puget Sound and Washington coast sportfishing rule proposals and consider land transactions in Asotin and Cowlitz counties. The commission, a nine-member panel that sets policy for the Washington D... Full story
OLYMPIA – State shellfish managers closed the recreational crab fisheries inside Willapa Bay effective immediately due to elevated marine toxin levels. The rest of Washington’s coastal areas, including Grays Harbor, remain open for sport crab fishing, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “Test results indicate crabs elsewhere on the coast are safe to eat,” Ayres said. “We’ll continue monitoring for marine toxins in Willapa Bay... Full story
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is offering anglers opportunities for tight lines rather than long lines on the day after Thanksgiving. The “holiday specials” include thousands of large trout averaging 15 to 16 inches in length and weighing 1-1/4 pounds. The Department is currently preparing to stock lakes in southwest and western Washington in time for Black Friday, Nov. 27. In eastern Washington, thousands of smaller trout stocked in lakes last year should have... Full story
OLYMPIA – With some 125,000 trout scheduled for stocking in western Washington lakes, area anglers should have an excellent chance at phenomenal fishing this fall and through the holiday season. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will stock 44 western Washington lakes with catchable-size trout this fall. “Fishing at lakes throughout the region should be great over the next few months,” said Larry Phillips, WDFW’s inland fish program manager. “Most of the trout are 11 to 13... Full story
