Washington

Action: Closes Kress Lake to fishing by the public for two days. The lake will open at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, May 17.

Effective Dates:

· May 16 12: 01 a.m., entire lake closed to public fishing

Action: Opens razor clam season

Effective dates: May 3 through May 7, 2008 (morning tides only)

Species affected: Razor clams

Location: Dates and low tides are:

Slightly lower than usual catch rates during Washington's lowland lake fishing season opener Saturday didn't bother most anglers, who were happy to enjoy long-awaited warm weather.

"We couldn't have asked for nicer weather for lowland lake opener," said Jon Anderson, a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fish biologist, who compiled results from creel checks across the state.

Action: Open recreational fishing for halibut Marine Areas 1-4

Effective dates: Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco): Open 12:01 a.m. Thursday May 1, 2008, 7-days per week until 70% of the quota is reached, or until July 20, 2008 whichever comes first. The fishery will reopen on August 1, 2008 and continue three days a week, Friday through Sunday, until the remaining quota is reached, or Sept. 30, 2008 whichever comes first. It is unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess any bottomfish, except Pacific cod and sablefish with halibut on board.

OLYMPIA - The public has until May 30 to comment on a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) recently issued for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) six-year game management plan.

OLYMPIA - Approval of proposed land transactions and briefings on cougar management, planning for future wolf management, and other topics are on the agenda for the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission when it meets in Colville May 2-3.

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled an informational open house May 8 in Acme to discuss a proposal to introduce wild turkeys to Whatcom County.

The public meeting is scheduled from 6-8p.m. at the Acme Elementary School, 5200 Turkington Rd.

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON — Shooting clubs and range operators have until June 30 to apply for federally funded grants that can be used to construct, maintain or expand public shooting-range facilities in Washington state.

Snake River spring chinook fishery to open Action / Species affected: The Snake River below Ice Harbor Dam, and the area between Texas Rapids and about one mile upstream of Little Goose Dam, will open for spring/summer chinook fishing in late April 2008.

OLYMPIA - Shooting clubs and range operators have until June 30 to apply for federally funded grants that can be used to construct, maintain or expand public shooting-range facilities in Washington state. The grants, which are coordinated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), are awarded each year through the department's Shooting Range Program. Approximately $50,000 in competitive grants are expected to be awarded this year, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 for small-scale grants to $25,000 for large-scale grants.