Washington Fishing News

OLYMPIA - Fishing for steelhead and other game fish will close early in several river systems in Puget Sound and along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to protect wild steelhead, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

Commission Calls for Further Reductions in Sturgeon Catch
OLYMPIA - For the third straight year, fishery managers from Washington and Oregon plan to reduce the allowable catch of white sturgeon on the lower Columbia River, where the species' abundance has been declining since 2007.

PORTLAND - For the third straight year, fish and wildlife directors from Washington and Oregon have agreed to reduce the catch of white sturgeon on the lower Columbia River, where the species has declined in abundance in recent years.

OLYMPIA - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider adopting a new package of sportfishing rules for 2012-13, as well as an increase in the number of multiple season hunting permits issued each year, during a public meeting Feb. 3-4 in Olympia.

OLYMPIA - Clam diggers will get another chance to dig some fresh razor clams for the holidays during an opening December 22-23 at four ocean beaches.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the evening dig at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches after marine toxin tests showed that the clams on those beaches are safe to eat.

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will accept written public comments through Dec. 30 on rule proposals for the 2012-13 sportfishing season in Washington.

As part of that effort, WDFW has scheduled four public meetings in October to discuss its rule proposals with the public.

OLYMPIA - The first razor-clam dig of the season is tentatively scheduled to begin in late October on four ocean beaches, with additional digs planned through late December.

In announcing its initial digging schedule, shellfish managers at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) emphasized that final approval of all openings will depend on results of marine toxin tests that show the clams are safe to eat.

Action: Increase trout daily limit to 10 in Scanewa Lake

Effective dates: Oct. 1, 2011 until further notice

Species affected: Trout
Location: Scanewa Lake (Cowlitz Falls Reservoir)

Reasons for action: Increase bag limit on stocked rainbow trout to encourage late season fishing effort to increase the overall harvest rate.

OLYMPIA - Seven marine areas of Puget Sound will reopen for recreational crab fishing October 8, while two others will reopen November 21, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

OLYMPIA - State hatchery workers are temporarily evacuating thousands of juvenile coho salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout from the Naselle Hatchery, so they can repair a ruptured pipe at the fish-rearing facility in Pacific County.