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Washington Fishing Reports
| Fishing Reports for U.S. States. If you have a report for your area send it to us at reports@bobberstop.com. Please put "Fishing Report" in the subject line of your e-mail and please don't forget to include the location. |
** Last Update was made on 5 - 2 - 08 ***
WASHINGTON FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS - MAPS.
EASTERN REGION - Trout fishing on opening weekend at many lakes across the region proved a
little slower than usual, mostly due to lingering winter-like conditions, according to Eastern Region
Fish Program Manager John Whalen. Cold water and ice cover on some northern lakes kept catch
rates lower this year, he explained.
"The weather for anglers was the best we have seen in weeks with clear, sunny skies and little if
any wind," Whalen said. "Lots of folks were out, but some of the traditional best bets for opening
day were off substantially."
Whalen noted, for example, that creel checks at southwest Spokane County?s West Medical Lake
and at Stevens County?s Cedar Lake indicated an average harvest of less than one fish per
angler. Other lakes that often produce lots of five-trout limits on the opener fared better, but were
still slow. Starvation Lake in Stevens County had an average harvest of less than three fish per
angler and Fishtrap Lake in Lincoln County averaged slightly more than three fish per angler.
"On the other hand, Williams Lake in southwest Spokane County and Rocky Lake in Stevens
County actually did pretty well, each with a harvest average of about four fish per angler," Whalen
said. "Fishing will definitely pick up at many more of these lakes as the water temperatures warm.
And since these fisheries are open for five or six months, this slow, cold start should extend good
catch rates through the summer."
WDFW fish hatchery crews will continue stocking lakes that could not be reached due to snow and
ice before the opener. All details of fish stocking are available at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/index.htm .
In the south end of the region, catch rates have varied during the special Snake River hatchery
spring chinook salmon fishing season.
Glen Mendel, WDFW district fish biologist in Dayton, said in three days of creel checks on the river
portion below Ice Harbor Dam, which opened April 22, catch rates have been measured from 2.5 to
6.5 hours of effort per chinook from shore during weekdays, and up to 37.7 hours per fish during
the weekend.
"Angler participation has been low in the Ice Harbor stretch, but some of those who are out are
catching spring chinook up to 42 inches," Mendel said. "We don't currently have catch rates for
boats there, but we estimate that about 75 chinook have been harvested since the season
opened."
Mendel has just two days of creel checks on the Little Goose Dam stretch that opened April 24. "So
far Little Goose has also been slow for numbers of anglers, but they are catching a few fish there
as well," he said. "Catch rates that we do have vary from 8.6 to 53.4 hours of effort per fish,
depending on the day and location, or angler type."
Fish counts at Bonneville have risen to about 4,000 per day, Mendel noted. "So the run is coming
and fishing should improve over the next week or two," he said.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION - Relatively low pressure and few bites on the April 26 fishing season
opener in the Columbia Basin only means there are plenty of trout left and great days of fishing
ahead, said Jeff Korth, WDFW district fish biologist from Moses Lake.
"I recommend Park, Blue, and Vic Meyers lakes," Korth said. "We rehabilitated these Grant County
waters in 2006 and the fisheries there have improved considerably."
Park and Blue averaged nearly four trout per angler on the opener. Vic Meyers averaged less than
two fish per angler. Perch Lake, another Grant County fishery that opened April 26, averaged 3.6
trout per angler. Korth also recommends Perch for improved fishing as spring advances.
Korth also noted that several March 1-opening fisheries in the Basin are continuing to produce
good catches, including Quincy, Burke, Dusty and the Caliche lakes. Dry Falls Lake, which is a
selective gear fishery that opened April 1, has also been very good.
In the Chelan County district of the region, Art Viola, WDFW fish biologist, reports a similarly slow
April 26 fishing season opener, mostly due to persistent cold weather, snow-covered roads and
even ice-covered lakes.
"Little or no fish stocking was even possible at Beehive Reservoir and Lilly Lake," Viola said, "but as
spring finally arrives we should be able to get those fisheries up to speed."
Chelan County's Wapato Lake provided very slow fishing on the opener, compared to past years,
Viola said, with only a one-trout-per-angler average harvest measured. Most of those were the big
triploid rainbows stocked just prior to the opener.
In the Okanogan district, Bob Jateff, WDFW fish biologist, also reported a slower than usual season
opener due to more winter-like than spring conditions. He expects that when access and water
temperatures improve, fishing should be good in traditionally popular waters like Conconully,
Spectacle, Wannacut, Pearrygin and Alta lakes in Okanogan County and Jameson Lake in Douglas
County.
Jim Brown, WDFW enforcement sergeant, reported that despite overall lower participation and
catch rates, the Conconcully lakes on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area were among the most popular
spots on the opener. "I think some of the best fishing, and largest fish we saw caught, were on
Upper Conconully Lake," Brown said. "Ross and Linnell Green of Ellensburg, for example, caught
their limits, including an 18-inch, 2-1/2-pound rainbow. They were pretty happy."
While anglers wait for access to improve, Jateff suggested sampling some of the earlier-opening,
catch-and-release fisheries in the area. "Davis Lake near Winthrop is producing 10-11-inch
rainbows, plus a few carryovers up to 15 inches," he said. "Big and Little Green are two lakes near
Omak/Okanogan that are good for rainbows 11 to12 inches. Rat Lake near Brewster has both
rainbow and brown trout to 13 inches. All of these waters are catch-and-release with selective gear
rules and only electric motors allowed."
Korth also noted walleye fishing should be picking up, with the spawn about over, at Moses Lake,
Potholes Reservoir and Banks Lake. A walleye tournament at Potholes is scheduled May 3-4; see
http://www.mardonresort.com/index3.html for more information.
Smallmouth bass fishing on the Basin's big waters should also be good now, Korth said, but anglers
must remember to follow the new regulations that go into effect May 1. There's a 10-bass limit, with
no minimum size, but only one over 14".
NORTH PUGET SOUND - The blackmouth season in the region comes to a close at the end of
today (April 30), but saltwater anglers still have good reason to get out on Puget Sound, where
halibut fisheries are under way and the popular shrimp season gets started in just a few days. In the
freshwater, the lowland lake fishing season recently opened and anglers can cast for trout at
numerous lakes throughout the region.
The weather was good for the lowland-lakes opener, but catch rates for trout anglers were slightly
down this year, said Jon Anderson, WDFW resident trout manager. According to creel checks, the
lake that produced the largest catch in the region was King County's Pine Lake, where 92 anglers
took home 247 trout and released 365. In terms of the highest catch rates, Island County's Goss
Lake tops the list. Two anglers at Goss caught their limit of five trout on opening day.
Elsewhere, anglers in Skagit County averaged 4.4 trout per rod at Heart and McMurray lakes, while
those at Sixteen Lake averaged 4.3 fish per rod. Anglers fishing Snohomish County's Howard Lake
and San Juan County's Cascade Lake also did well. Anglers at those two lakes averaged four trout
per rod. In Whatcom County, anglers at Toad Lake averaged 3.8 fish per rod, the same average as
those fishing King County's Steel Lake.
"We couldn't have asked for nicer weather for the lowland lake opener," said Anderson. "Anglers of
all ages caught lots of nice trout, including several real lunkers, but because waters remained cool
so long into spring, catch rates tended to be lower in many lakes. However, the fish will still be there
later in this five-to six-month season."
Under statewide rules, anglers have a daily limit of five trout on most lakes. Released legal-sized
trout, caught with bait, count toward the daily bag limit. Complete information on stocking schedules
for rainbow, cutthroat and triploid trout is available on WDFW's website (
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/index.htm ).
Out on Puget Sound, the blackmouth season closes at the end of the day April 30, but halibut
fisheries continue in the region. The usual hot spots - Mutiny and Admiralty bays, as well as Eastern
and Partridge banks - are the best bets for flatfish early in the season. Halibut fishing is open five
days a week, Thursday through Monday, with a daily limit of one halibut and no minimum size limit.
Beginning May 1, anglers in the region also will have an opportunity to drop a line for other bottom
dwellers, such as lingcod, rockfish and cabezon .
While out on the Sound, bring some shrimp pots. The popular shrimp season opens throughout the
region May 3. Details are available on WDFW's website at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/shrimpreg/shrimpindex.shtml .
Before heading out, anglers should check the rules and regulations for freshwater and saltwater
fisheries in WDFW's Fishing in Washington pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
OLYMPIC PENINSULA - Plenty of trout remain after cold lake temperatures lowered catch rates for
anglers on the opening day of trout season. Meanwhile, a final spring razor clam dig is set for May
3-7, shrimp season gets under way May 3 in most areas of Puget Sound, and halibut and lingcod
seasons expand to more areas.
Greeted by sunny skies, anglers of all ages came out for the opening day of trout season, but the
fish were slow to bite in many lakes, said Jon Anderson, WDFW fish biologist. "The boat ramps were
busy and people caught some nice trout, but the water's still a bit too cold to get many of the fish to
bite," Anderson said. "Once it warms up, people should be getting their limits."
According to opening-day reports, Anderson Lake in Jefferson County gave up 3.75 fish per angler,
while Clear Lake in Pierce County yielded 3.5 fish per rod. Anglers at Stump Lake in Mason County
averaged about 2.8 fish per rod. In Grays Harbor County, the winner of the Kid's Derby at
Aberdeen Lake landed a rainbow trout weighing 14.2 pounds, and an angler won the derby at
Failor Lake with an 11-pound, 11-ounce rainbow.
Weekly reports and information on WDFW trout-stocking plans are available online at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/weekly/ .
On the saltwater, recreational shrimp fishing opens Saturday, May 3 in most areas of Puget Sound.
The exception is the Discovery Bay Shrimp District near Port Townsend, which will remain closed to
both spot and non-spot shrimp fishing this year.
Marine Area 11--extending from the northern tip of Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows
Bridge--will be open on Saturday, May 3 only, to keep the recreational catch within the area's spot
shrimp harvest quota.
Various fishing schedules will be in effect in the following areas:
Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla Line), 5, 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District) and 13
will be open daily beginning May 3 at 7 a.m. until the quota is reached, or through Sept. 15,
whichever comes first. Marine Area 13 closes for spot shrimp May 31. Coon strip and pink shrimp
season closes Oct. 15.
Hood Canal (Marine Area 12) will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 3, 7, 10 and 14, or until the
quota is reached, whichever comes first. Additional dates and times may be announced if sufficient
quota is remaining.
More information on shrimp seasons and rules is available on the WDFW shellfish hotline at
1-866-880-5431, or online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/ .
Still hankering for clams? If so, good tides should help razor clam diggers get their last limits of the
season May 3-7, said Dan Ayres, WDFW fish biologist. "The low tides should offer excellent digging
opportunities, especially if the weather cooperates," Ayres said.
Long Beach and Twin Harbors will open for morning digs May 3-7, while Copalis and Mocrocks are
scheduled to open May 4-5 only. Each day's dig on those beaches must be completed by noon.
Ayres reminds diggers that portions of the beaches at Long Beach and Twin Harbors are closed to
protect nesting western snowy plovers , which are endangered. At Long Beach, the closed area is
located north of the Oysterville Road from the state park boundary north to Leadbetter Point. At
Twin Harbors, the closed area is located from just south of Midway Beach Road to the first
beach-access trail at Grayland Beach State Park. The closed portion at each beach includes the
area beyond the mean high tide line.
"Signs clearly mark the area and instruct people to stay on the hard-packed sand," Ayres said.
Dates and low tides for the dig are:
Saturday, May 3, 5:27 a.m., -0.3 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
Sunday, May 4, 6:16 a.m., -1.2 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
Monday, May 5, 7:04 a.m., -1.9 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
Tuesday, May 6, 7:51 a.m., -2.3 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
Wednesday, May 7, 8:39 a.m., -2.4 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
All diggers must have an applicable 2008-09 fishing license to dig razor clams on any beach. A
license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Licenses can be purchased at
http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov , by telephone (1-866-246-9453), or in person at more than 600 license
vendors throughout the state. A list of vendors is available at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/lic/vendors/vendors.htm .
Under WDFW rules, harvesters may take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15
taken, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's limit must be kept in a separate container.
Meanwhile, along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, recreational halibut anglers in the Port Angeles area
(Marine Area 6) pulled in 60 of the flatfish over the April 26-27 weekend. Next month, those with a
competitive streak can try for a $5,000 first prize at the 8th Annual Halibut Derby sponsored by the
Port Angeles Salmon Club. The two-day derby will be held May 24-25 near the Dungeness Spit.
Ticket information is available at http://www.swainsinc.com or (360) 452-2363.
Halibut fishing in marine areas 6-11 and 13 will continue to run five days a week Thursday through
Monday through June 13.
Anglers looking for more opportunity can soon cast their lines wider as the following halibut fisheries
open:
Columbia River (Ilwaco): Marine Area 1 will open May 1, and continue seven days a week until 70
percent of the quota is reached, or until July 20, whichever occurs first. The fishery will then reopen
on Aug. 1 and continue three days a week (Friday-Sunday) until the remaining quota is reached, or
Sept. 30, whichever occurs first.
South Coast (Westport/Ocean Shores): Marine Area 2 will open on May 1, and then continue two
days a week, Sundays and Tuesdays until the quota is reached, or Sept. 30, whichever occurs first.
The northern nearshore area will open May 1 and will be open four days a week, Friday through
Sunday and Tuesdays, until the quota is reached.
North Coast (La Push/Neah Bay): Marine areas 3 and 4 will open on May 13, and continue on
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until the quota is reached. If sufficient quota remains, the
fishery will reopen on June 17 and 19 (Tuesday and Thursday) in Area 4B and shoreward of a line
approximating 30 fm from the Bonilla-Tatoosh line south to the Queets River. All recreational fishing
in Marine Areas 3 and 4 outside of these areas will be closed on those dates. If sufficient quota
remains, the fishery will reopen in all areas of marine areas 3 and 4 on Saturday, June 21.
Strait of Juan de Fuca/Puget Sound: Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) will be open May 22 through July 21,
five days a week, Thursday through Monday.
Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) is closed to fishing for halibut and a number of other species due to
low dissolved-oxygen conditions.
All areas open to fishing have a one-fish daily catch limit and two-halibut possession limit,
regardless of whether those fish are fresh or frozen. There is no minimum size limit for halibut
caught in any area. All catch must be recorded on a WDFW catch-record card. For additional
information on specific regulations for each marine area, call the Fishing Hotline at (360) 902-2500
or check the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/creel/halibut/ .
The lingcod fishery in Neah Bay (Marine Area 4) got underway April 16 and people are generally
doing pretty well, especially when the wind is in their favor, said Scott Barbour, WDFW fish biologist.
"There were at least 30 boats out there this past weekend," Barbour said. "People did much better
on Sunday when the wind shifted from the east to the west."
Anglers will have more opportunity to fish for lingcod - as well as rockfish and cabezon - when the
fishery gets under way May 1 in marine areas 5-13. During the hook-and-line season for lings (May
1-June 15), there's a one-fish daily limit, which must be a minimum size of 26 inches and a maximum
size of 40 inches. For rockfish, there is no minimum size and anglers must keep the first legal
rockfish caught. Anglers fishing for cabezon have a daily limit of two fish, and there is no minimum
size limit. Because specific regulations and restrictions apply to these fisheries, anglers are advised
to check the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet for more information (
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
On the Olympic Peninsula, the Hoh River below the mouth of Willoughby Creek, will open for salmon
fishing May 16 through Aug. 31, Wednesdays through Sundays only. Anglers are limited to six fish
per day; only one adult may be retained. All wild chinook must be released. Before heading out,
anglers should check the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet for boundaries and regulations.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION - The region's many lakes that are open year-round continue to be
stocked with catchable-size trout to keep up with fishing demand. Eric Anderson, WDFW district fish
biologist from Yakima, notes big triploid rainbow trout have been planted in Mud, Myron, Fio Rito
and Mattoon lakes in Yakima County. Clear, Dog, Leech and Lost lakes should be planted with
triploids soon. Hatchery surplus broodstock rainbows, that run seven to eight pounds each, recently
went into I-82 Ponds 1 and 2, and Tim?s Pond. All details of how and where fish have been
stocked are available on WDFW's South Central Region webpage at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/regions/reg3/index.htm .
Anderson also reminds young fishers and their parents to register for the eighth annual "Fishing
Kids" event at Sarg Hubbard Pond in Yakima, scheduled this year on May 10. More than 800 five-
to 14-year-old fishers will receive fishing instruction, a rod and reel, and a t-shirt for just $5 each.
Registration deadline is May 2; contact the Yakima Parks and Recreation Department at
509-575-6020
SOUTHWEST REGION - After providing several weeks of good fishing in the lower Columbia River,
the spring chinook run suddenly stalled out in mid-April, leaving anglers and fishery managers
watching and waiting. By month's end, the count of fish passing Bonneville Dam jumped above
3,500 per day, but questions remain whether the run is late or lower than expected.
"We?re in kind of a holding pattern right now," said Joe Hymer, WDFW fish biologist. "It should be
prime time for the next couple of weeks, and hopefully - with water temperatures warming - the fish
will begin to move in the mainstem and into tributaries."
Some of the best fishing during the last week of April was just below John Day Dam, where bank
anglers were averaging a springer for every 5.6 rods, and boat anglers were reeling in a fish for
every 9.3 rods. A total of 45 boats were counted in the three-mile stretch of the river there April 25.
Some of those anglers moved upriver from Drano Lake, where boat anglers averaged just one fish
for every 12.8 rods that week. On the Wind River, boat anglers averaged a fish for every 14.6 rods
and bank fishing was slow.
One positive sign is that increasing numbers of spring chinook tagged with passive integrated
transponders (PIT) and bound for the Wind River have been counted at Bonneville Dam. Up to
10,000 spring chinook - more than double last year's return - are predicted to enter the Wind River,
according to the pre-season forecast.
Hymer reminds anglers planning to fish the Wind River and Drano Lake that Skamania County is
now charging a fee to park or launch a boat in those areas. The one-day cost is $5, although
annual passes can also be purchased. "A ticket will cost you $75, so I?d recommend paying the
parking and launch fee," Hymer said.
Boat anglers are also catching some bass in the Bonneville Pool and some walleye in The Dalles
Pool.
Below Bonneville Dam, the mainstem Columbia River remains closed to fishing for chinook and
steelhead , although anglers are catching some of both species in the Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis
rivers. On the Lewis, almost as many summer-run steelhead were trapped at Merwin Dam as spring
chinook through April 23.
"Spring chinook have been slow to move into those rivers, but summer steelhead appear to be right
on time," Hymer said. Skamania Hatchery on the Washougal River has also reported taking in the
first summer-run steelhead of the year.
Sturgeon , on the other hand, are available for the catching right now from the dam downriver to the
I-5 Bridge. Rising water temperatures are helping to improve the bite, especially in the stretch
between Vancouver and Woodland, Hymer said. Fish may be retained Thursdays, Fridays,
Saturdays, and Sundays only.
To protect spawning fish, the area from Navigation Marker 85 upstream to Bonneville Dam closes to
fishing for sturgeon from May through July. Also closing to sturgeon fishing during that period is the
stretch from John Day Dam downstream 2.4 miles to the west end of the grain silo at Rufus Oregon
and from McNary Dam downstream 1.5 miles to the Highway 82 Bridge.
Starting May 10, sturgeon retention will reopen in the estuary below the Wauna powerlines. After
May 10, only sturgeon measuring 45 to 60 inches may be retained daily in that stretch of the
Columbia River. The season for this area is scheduled to remain open through June 24 though the
actual ending date depends on the 13,143 fish quota being met.
Northwestern Reservoir on the White Salmon River was the area hotspot on the April 26 lowland
lakes trout opener and it should continue to provide good fishing in the weeks ahead. WDFW
sampled 25 anglers with 94 trout, a 3.76 per rod average at the 97-acre reservoir behind Condit
Dam. The daily limit for trout in Washington is five.
At Kidney Lake near North Bonneville, 57 anglers were sampled with 72 trout, a 1.26 average. In
Klickitat County, the numbers were: Rowland Lake, 59 rods, 130 trout, 2.2 average; Spearfish Lake,
33 rods, 70 trout, 2.1 average; and Horsethief Lake, 14 rods with 14 trout, 1.0 average. For
information on weekly trout plants see http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/weekly/ .
VANCOUVER, CAN. - Salmon fishing should continue for most of the winter as long as we are able
to get off shore. The weather is usually a large factor during the fall and winter months, but there
are days when we are able to get out. If you want to book a trip for the winter months, just know that
we may or may not be able to get out and fish. Below are some pics from later in the 2007 season.
Salmon fishing the past few days has been pretty slow and should pick up around January.
Halibut Report Halibut fishing over the winter months slows down quite a bit and like the salmon
fishing is really dependent on the weather. We do manage a few nice days so it can still be worth a
try. Over the last few days halibut have been reported out a Big bank in small numbers. We aren't
fishing ourselves until about January, but this is the latest report.
Port Alberni, BC Latest..... Fishing in Barclay Sound through Port Alberni usually means a 1-hour
run up the Port Alberni Inlet. My recommendation would be to come to Ucluelet since you have the
option of fishing off shore or Barclay Sound.
Reported by: Washington DFW
WASHINGTON FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS - MAPS.
EASTERN REGION - Trout fishing on opening weekend at many lakes across the region proved a
little slower than usual, mostly due to lingering winter-like conditions, according to Eastern Region
Fish Program Manager John Whalen. Cold water and ice cover on some northern lakes kept catch
rates lower this year, he explained.
"The weather for anglers was the best we have seen in weeks with clear, sunny skies and little if
any wind," Whalen said. "Lots of folks were out, but some of the traditional best bets for opening
day were off substantially."
Whalen noted, for example, that creel checks at southwest Spokane County?s West Medical Lake
and at Stevens County?s Cedar Lake indicated an average harvest of less than one fish per
angler. Other lakes that often produce lots of five-trout limits on the opener fared better, but were
still slow. Starvation Lake in Stevens County had an average harvest of less than three fish per
angler and Fishtrap Lake in Lincoln County averaged slightly more than three fish per angler.
"On the other hand, Williams Lake in southwest Spokane County and Rocky Lake in Stevens
County actually did pretty well, each with a harvest average of about four fish per angler," Whalen
said. "Fishing will definitely pick up at many more of these lakes as the water temperatures warm.
And since these fisheries are open for five or six months, this slow, cold start should extend good
catch rates through the summer."
WDFW fish hatchery crews will continue stocking lakes that could not be reached due to snow and
ice before the opener. All details of fish stocking are available at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/index.htm .
In the south end of the region, catch rates have varied during the special Snake River hatchery
spring chinook salmon fishing season.
Glen Mendel, WDFW district fish biologist in Dayton, said in three days of creel checks on the river
portion below Ice Harbor Dam, which opened April 22, catch rates have been measured from 2.5 to
6.5 hours of effort per chinook from shore during weekdays, and up to 37.7 hours per fish during
the weekend.
"Angler participation has been low in the Ice Harbor stretch, but some of those who are out are
catching spring chinook up to 42 inches," Mendel said. "We don't currently have catch rates for
boats there, but we estimate that about 75 chinook have been harvested since the season
opened."
Mendel has just two days of creel checks on the Little Goose Dam stretch that opened April 24. "So
far Little Goose has also been slow for numbers of anglers, but they are catching a few fish there
as well," he said. "Catch rates that we do have vary from 8.6 to 53.4 hours of effort per fish,
depending on the day and location, or angler type."
Fish counts at Bonneville have risen to about 4,000 per day, Mendel noted. "So the run is coming
and fishing should improve over the next week or two," he said.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION - Relatively low pressure and few bites on the April 26 fishing season
opener in the Columbia Basin only means there are plenty of trout left and great days of fishing
ahead, said Jeff Korth, WDFW district fish biologist from Moses Lake.
"I recommend Park, Blue, and Vic Meyers lakes," Korth said. "We rehabilitated these Grant County
waters in 2006 and the fisheries there have improved considerably."
Park and Blue averaged nearly four trout per angler on the opener. Vic Meyers averaged less than
two fish per angler. Perch Lake, another Grant County fishery that opened April 26, averaged 3.6
trout per angler. Korth also recommends Perch for improved fishing as spring advances.
Korth also noted that several March 1-opening fisheries in the Basin are continuing to produce
good catches, including Quincy, Burke, Dusty and the Caliche lakes. Dry Falls Lake, which is a
selective gear fishery that opened April 1, has also been very good.
In the Chelan County district of the region, Art Viola, WDFW fish biologist, reports a similarly slow
April 26 fishing season opener, mostly due to persistent cold weather, snow-covered roads and
even ice-covered lakes.
"Little or no fish stocking was even possible at Beehive Reservoir and Lilly Lake," Viola said, "but as
spring finally arrives we should be able to get those fisheries up to speed."
Chelan County's Wapato Lake provided very slow fishing on the opener, compared to past years,
Viola said, with only a one-trout-per-angler average harvest measured. Most of those were the big
triploid rainbows stocked just prior to the opener.
In the Okanogan district, Bob Jateff, WDFW fish biologist, also reported a slower than usual season
opener due to more winter-like than spring conditions. He expects that when access and water
temperatures improve, fishing should be good in traditionally popular waters like Conconully,
Spectacle, Wannacut, Pearrygin and Alta lakes in Okanogan County and Jameson Lake in Douglas
County.
Jim Brown, WDFW enforcement sergeant, reported that despite overall lower participation and
catch rates, the Conconcully lakes on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area were among the most popular
spots on the opener. "I think some of the best fishing, and largest fish we saw caught, were on
Upper Conconully Lake," Brown said. "Ross and Linnell Green of Ellensburg, for example, caught
their limits, including an 18-inch, 2-1/2-pound rainbow. They were pretty happy."
While anglers wait for access to improve, Jateff suggested sampling some of the earlier-opening,
catch-and-release fisheries in the area. "Davis Lake near Winthrop is producing 10-11-inch
rainbows, plus a few carryovers up to 15 inches," he said. "Big and Little Green are two lakes near
Omak/Okanogan that are good for rainbows 11 to12 inches. Rat Lake near Brewster has both
rainbow and brown trout to 13 inches. All of these waters are catch-and-release with selective gear
rules and only electric motors allowed."
Korth also noted walleye fishing should be picking up, with the spawn about over, at Moses Lake,
Potholes Reservoir and Banks Lake. A walleye tournament at Potholes is scheduled May 3-4; see
http://www.mardonresort.com/index3.html for more information.
Smallmouth bass fishing on the Basin's big waters should also be good now, Korth said, but anglers
must remember to follow the new regulations that go into effect May 1. There's a 10-bass limit, with
no minimum size, but only one over 14".
NORTH PUGET SOUND - The blackmouth season in the region comes to a close at the end of
today (April 30), but saltwater anglers still have good reason to get out on Puget Sound, where
halibut fisheries are under way and the popular shrimp season gets started in just a few days. In the
freshwater, the lowland lake fishing season recently opened and anglers can cast for trout at
numerous lakes throughout the region.
The weather was good for the lowland-lakes opener, but catch rates for trout anglers were slightly
down this year, said Jon Anderson, WDFW resident trout manager. According to creel checks, the
lake that produced the largest catch in the region was King County's Pine Lake, where 92 anglers
took home 247 trout and released 365. In terms of the highest catch rates, Island County's Goss
Lake tops the list. Two anglers at Goss caught their limit of five trout on opening day.
Elsewhere, anglers in Skagit County averaged 4.4 trout per rod at Heart and McMurray lakes, while
those at Sixteen Lake averaged 4.3 fish per rod. Anglers fishing Snohomish County's Howard Lake
and San Juan County's Cascade Lake also did well. Anglers at those two lakes averaged four trout
per rod. In Whatcom County, anglers at Toad Lake averaged 3.8 fish per rod, the same average as
those fishing King County's Steel Lake.
"We couldn't have asked for nicer weather for the lowland lake opener," said Anderson. "Anglers of
all ages caught lots of nice trout, including several real lunkers, but because waters remained cool
so long into spring, catch rates tended to be lower in many lakes. However, the fish will still be there
later in this five-to six-month season."
Under statewide rules, anglers have a daily limit of five trout on most lakes. Released legal-sized
trout, caught with bait, count toward the daily bag limit. Complete information on stocking schedules
for rainbow, cutthroat and triploid trout is available on WDFW's website (
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/index.htm ).
Out on Puget Sound, the blackmouth season closes at the end of the day April 30, but halibut
fisheries continue in the region. The usual hot spots - Mutiny and Admiralty bays, as well as Eastern
and Partridge banks - are the best bets for flatfish early in the season. Halibut fishing is open five
days a week, Thursday through Monday, with a daily limit of one halibut and no minimum size limit.
Beginning May 1, anglers in the region also will have an opportunity to drop a line for other bottom
dwellers, such as lingcod, rockfish and cabezon .
While out on the Sound, bring some shrimp pots. The popular shrimp season opens throughout the
region May 3. Details are available on WDFW's website at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/shrimpreg/shrimpindex.shtml .
Before heading out, anglers should check the rules and regulations for freshwater and saltwater
fisheries in WDFW's Fishing in Washington pamphlet ( http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
OLYMPIC PENINSULA - Plenty of trout remain after cold lake temperatures lowered catch rates for
anglers on the opening day of trout season. Meanwhile, a final spring razor clam dig is set for May
3-7, shrimp season gets under way May 3 in most areas of Puget Sound, and halibut and lingcod
seasons expand to more areas.
Greeted by sunny skies, anglers of all ages came out for the opening day of trout season, but the
fish were slow to bite in many lakes, said Jon Anderson, WDFW fish biologist. "The boat ramps were
busy and people caught some nice trout, but the water's still a bit too cold to get many of the fish to
bite," Anderson said. "Once it warms up, people should be getting their limits."
According to opening-day reports, Anderson Lake in Jefferson County gave up 3.75 fish per angler,
while Clear Lake in Pierce County yielded 3.5 fish per rod. Anglers at Stump Lake in Mason County
averaged about 2.8 fish per rod. In Grays Harbor County, the winner of the Kid's Derby at
Aberdeen Lake landed a rainbow trout weighing 14.2 pounds, and an angler won the derby at
Failor Lake with an 11-pound, 11-ounce rainbow.
Weekly reports and information on WDFW trout-stocking plans are available online at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/weekly/ .
On the saltwater, recreational shrimp fishing opens Saturday, May 3 in most areas of Puget Sound.
The exception is the Discovery Bay Shrimp District near Port Townsend, which will remain closed to
both spot and non-spot shrimp fishing this year.
Marine Area 11--extending from the northern tip of Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows
Bridge--will be open on Saturday, May 3 only, to keep the recreational catch within the area's spot
shrimp harvest quota.
Various fishing schedules will be in effect in the following areas:
Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla Line), 5, 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District) and 13
will be open daily beginning May 3 at 7 a.m. until the quota is reached, or through Sept. 15,
whichever comes first. Marine Area 13 closes for spot shrimp May 31. Coon strip and pink shrimp
season closes Oct. 15.
Hood Canal (Marine Area 12) will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 3, 7, 10 and 14, or until the
quota is reached, whichever comes first. Additional dates and times may be announced if sufficient
quota is remaining.
More information on shrimp seasons and rules is available on the WDFW shellfish hotline at
1-866-880-5431, or online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/ .
Still hankering for clams? If so, good tides should help razor clam diggers get their last limits of the
season May 3-7, said Dan Ayres, WDFW fish biologist. "The low tides should offer excellent digging
opportunities, especially if the weather cooperates," Ayres said.
Long Beach and Twin Harbors will open for morning digs May 3-7, while Copalis and Mocrocks are
scheduled to open May 4-5 only. Each day's dig on those beaches must be completed by noon.
Ayres reminds diggers that portions of the beaches at Long Beach and Twin Harbors are closed to
protect nesting western snowy plovers , which are endangered. At Long Beach, the closed area is
located north of the Oysterville Road from the state park boundary north to Leadbetter Point. At
Twin Harbors, the closed area is located from just south of Midway Beach Road to the first
beach-access trail at Grayland Beach State Park. The closed portion at each beach includes the
area beyond the mean high tide line.
"Signs clearly mark the area and instruct people to stay on the hard-packed sand," Ayres said.
Dates and low tides for the dig are:
Saturday, May 3, 5:27 a.m., -0.3 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
Sunday, May 4, 6:16 a.m., -1.2 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
Monday, May 5, 7:04 a.m., -1.9 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
Tuesday, May 6, 7:51 a.m., -2.3 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
Wednesday, May 7, 8:39 a.m., -2.4 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
All diggers must have an applicable 2008-09 fishing license to dig razor clams on any beach. A
license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Licenses can be purchased at
http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov , by telephone (1-866-246-9453), or in person at more than 600 license
vendors throughout the state. A list of vendors is available at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/lic/vendors/vendors.htm .
Under WDFW rules, harvesters may take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15
taken, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's limit must be kept in a separate container.
Meanwhile, along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, recreational halibut anglers in the Port Angeles area
(Marine Area 6) pulled in 60 of the flatfish over the April 26-27 weekend. Next month, those with a
competitive streak can try for a $5,000 first prize at the 8th Annual Halibut Derby sponsored by the
Port Angeles Salmon Club. The two-day derby will be held May 24-25 near the Dungeness Spit.
Ticket information is available at http://www.swainsinc.com or (360) 452-2363.
Halibut fishing in marine areas 6-11 and 13 will continue to run five days a week Thursday through
Monday through June 13.
Anglers looking for more opportunity can soon cast their lines wider as the following halibut fisheries
open:
Columbia River (Ilwaco): Marine Area 1 will open May 1, and continue seven days a week until 70
percent of the quota is reached, or until July 20, whichever occurs first. The fishery will then reopen
on Aug. 1 and continue three days a week (Friday-Sunday) until the remaining quota is reached, or
Sept. 30, whichever occurs first.
South Coast (Westport/Ocean Shores): Marine Area 2 will open on May 1, and then continue two
days a week, Sundays and Tuesdays until the quota is reached, or Sept. 30, whichever occurs first.
The northern nearshore area will open May 1 and will be open four days a week, Friday through
Sunday and Tuesdays, until the quota is reached.
North Coast (La Push/Neah Bay): Marine areas 3 and 4 will open on May 13, and continue on
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until the quota is reached. If sufficient quota remains, the
fishery will reopen on June 17 and 19 (Tuesday and Thursday) in Area 4B and shoreward of a line
approximating 30 fm from the Bonilla-Tatoosh line south to the Queets River. All recreational fishing
in Marine Areas 3 and 4 outside of these areas will be closed on those dates. If sufficient quota
remains, the fishery will reopen in all areas of marine areas 3 and 4 on Saturday, June 21.
Strait of Juan de Fuca/Puget Sound: Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) will be open May 22 through July 21,
five days a week, Thursday through Monday.
Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) is closed to fishing for halibut and a number of other species due to
low dissolved-oxygen conditions.
All areas open to fishing have a one-fish daily catch limit and two-halibut possession limit,
regardless of whether those fish are fresh or frozen. There is no minimum size limit for halibut
caught in any area. All catch must be recorded on a WDFW catch-record card. For additional
information on specific regulations for each marine area, call the Fishing Hotline at (360) 902-2500
or check the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/creel/halibut/ .
The lingcod fishery in Neah Bay (Marine Area 4) got underway April 16 and people are generally
doing pretty well, especially when the wind is in their favor, said Scott Barbour, WDFW fish biologist.
"There were at least 30 boats out there this past weekend," Barbour said. "People did much better
on Sunday when the wind shifted from the east to the west."
Anglers will have more opportunity to fish for lingcod - as well as rockfish and cabezon - when the
fishery gets under way May 1 in marine areas 5-13. During the hook-and-line season for lings (May
1-June 15), there's a one-fish daily limit, which must be a minimum size of 26 inches and a maximum
size of 40 inches. For rockfish, there is no minimum size and anglers must keep the first legal
rockfish caught. Anglers fishing for cabezon have a daily limit of two fish, and there is no minimum
size limit. Because specific regulations and restrictions apply to these fisheries, anglers are advised
to check the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet for more information (
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm ).
On the Olympic Peninsula, the Hoh River below the mouth of Willoughby Creek, will open for salmon
fishing May 16 through Aug. 31, Wednesdays through Sundays only. Anglers are limited to six fish
per day; only one adult may be retained. All wild chinook must be released. Before heading out,
anglers should check the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet for boundaries and regulations.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION - The region's many lakes that are open year-round continue to be
stocked with catchable-size trout to keep up with fishing demand. Eric Anderson, WDFW district fish
biologist from Yakima, notes big triploid rainbow trout have been planted in Mud, Myron, Fio Rito
and Mattoon lakes in Yakima County. Clear, Dog, Leech and Lost lakes should be planted with
triploids soon. Hatchery surplus broodstock rainbows, that run seven to eight pounds each, recently
went into I-82 Ponds 1 and 2, and Tim?s Pond. All details of how and where fish have been
stocked are available on WDFW's South Central Region webpage at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/regions/reg3/index.htm .
Anderson also reminds young fishers and their parents to register for the eighth annual "Fishing
Kids" event at Sarg Hubbard Pond in Yakima, scheduled this year on May 10. More than 800 five-
to 14-year-old fishers will receive fishing instruction, a rod and reel, and a t-shirt for just $5 each.
Registration deadline is May 2; contact the Yakima Parks and Recreation Department at
509-575-6020
SOUTHWEST REGION - After providing several weeks of good fishing in the lower Columbia River,
the spring chinook run suddenly stalled out in mid-April, leaving anglers and fishery managers
watching and waiting. By month's end, the count of fish passing Bonneville Dam jumped above
3,500 per day, but questions remain whether the run is late or lower than expected.
"We?re in kind of a holding pattern right now," said Joe Hymer, WDFW fish biologist. "It should be
prime time for the next couple of weeks, and hopefully - with water temperatures warming - the fish
will begin to move in the mainstem and into tributaries."
Some of the best fishing during the last week of April was just below John Day Dam, where bank
anglers were averaging a springer for every 5.6 rods, and boat anglers were reeling in a fish for
every 9.3 rods. A total of 45 boats were counted in the three-mile stretch of the river there April 25.
Some of those anglers moved upriver from Drano Lake, where boat anglers averaged just one fish
for every 12.8 rods that week. On the Wind River, boat anglers averaged a fish for every 14.6 rods
and bank fishing was slow.
One positive sign is that increasing numbers of spring chinook tagged with passive integrated
transponders (PIT) and bound for the Wind River have been counted at Bonneville Dam. Up to
10,000 spring chinook - more than double last year's return - are predicted to enter the Wind River,
according to the pre-season forecast.
Hymer reminds anglers planning to fish the Wind River and Drano Lake that Skamania County is
now charging a fee to park or launch a boat in those areas. The one-day cost is $5, although
annual passes can also be purchased. "A ticket will cost you $75, so I?d recommend paying the
parking and launch fee," Hymer said.
Boat anglers are also catching some bass in the Bonneville Pool and some walleye in The Dalles
Pool.
Below Bonneville Dam, the mainstem Columbia River remains closed to fishing for chinook and
steelhead , although anglers are catching some of both species in the Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis
rivers. On the Lewis, almost as many summer-run steelhead were trapped at Merwin Dam as spring
chinook through April 23.
"Spring chinook have been slow to move into those rivers, but summer steelhead appear to be right
on time," Hymer said. Skamania Hatchery on the Washougal River has also reported taking in the
first summer-run steelhead of the year.
Sturgeon , on the other hand, are available for the catching right now from the dam downriver to the
I-5 Bridge. Rising water temperatures are helping to improve the bite, especially in the stretch
between Vancouver and Woodland, Hymer said. Fish may be retained Thursdays, Fridays,
Saturdays, and Sundays only.
To protect spawning fish, the area from Navigation Marker 85 upstream to Bonneville Dam closes to
fishing for sturgeon from May through July. Also closing to sturgeon fishing during that period is the
stretch from John Day Dam downstream 2.4 miles to the west end of the grain silo at Rufus Oregon
and from McNary Dam downstream 1.5 miles to the Highway 82 Bridge.
Starting May 10, sturgeon retention will reopen in the estuary below the Wauna powerlines. After
May 10, only sturgeon measuring 45 to 60 inches may be retained daily in that stretch of the
Columbia River. The season for this area is scheduled to remain open through June 24 though the
actual ending date depends on the 13,143 fish quota being met.
Northwestern Reservoir on the White Salmon River was the area hotspot on the April 26 lowland
lakes trout opener and it should continue to provide good fishing in the weeks ahead. WDFW
sampled 25 anglers with 94 trout, a 3.76 per rod average at the 97-acre reservoir behind Condit
Dam. The daily limit for trout in Washington is five.
At Kidney Lake near North Bonneville, 57 anglers were sampled with 72 trout, a 1.26 average. In
Klickitat County, the numbers were: Rowland Lake, 59 rods, 130 trout, 2.2 average; Spearfish Lake,
33 rods, 70 trout, 2.1 average; and Horsethief Lake, 14 rods with 14 trout, 1.0 average. For
information on weekly trout plants see http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/weekly/ .
VANCOUVER, CAN. - Salmon fishing should continue for most of the winter as long as we are able
to get off shore. The weather is usually a large factor during the fall and winter months, but there
are days when we are able to get out. If you want to book a trip for the winter months, just know that
we may or may not be able to get out and fish. Below are some pics from later in the 2007 season.
Salmon fishing the past few days has been pretty slow and should pick up around January.
Halibut Report Halibut fishing over the winter months slows down quite a bit and like the salmon
fishing is really dependent on the weather. We do manage a few nice days so it can still be worth a
try. Over the last few days halibut have been reported out a Big bank in small numbers. We aren't
fishing ourselves until about January, but this is the latest report.
Port Alberni, BC Latest..... Fishing in Barclay Sound through Port Alberni usually means a 1-hour
run up the Port Alberni Inlet. My recommendation would be to come to Ucluelet since you have the
option of fishing off shore or Barclay Sound.
Reported by: Washington DFW
