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Rivers Around Puget Sound to Close Due to Low Wild Steelhead Returns

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:11:17 -0500

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

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:01:15 -0500

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.

States Will Reduce Sturgeon Catch on Columbia River

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:18:46 -0500

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.

WDFW Commission to Consider Sportfishing Rules

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:25:02 -0500

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.

WDFW OKs Pre-Holiday Razor Clam Digs at Four Beaches

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:01:54 -0500

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.

WDFW Seeks Public Comments on 2012-13 Sportfishing Season

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:25:22 -0400

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.

Washington's First Razor Clam Dig Tentatively Scheduled in October

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:47:35 -0400

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.

Washington Increases Cowlitz Falls Reservoir Trout Limit

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:43:54 -0400

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.

Several Areas of Puget Sound Reopen Tomorrow for Late-Season Crab Fishing

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:48:04 -0400

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.

WDFW Evacuating Fish From Naselle Hatchery

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:41:43 -0400

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.

Oregon and Washington seek nominations for Columbia River advisory groups

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:19:29 -0400

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Oregon and Washington fishery managers are seeking nominations to two advisory groups that focus on sport and commercial fishing issues on the Columbia River. Nominations are due Nov. 15, 2011.

Allow anglers on North Fork Lewis River to retain unclipped chinook salmon

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:56:57 -0400

Action: Open North Fork Lewis River to the retention of unclipped chinook salmon.
Species affected: Chinook salmon.
Effective dates: Sept. 10 through Sept. 30, 2011.
Location: Clark/Cowlitz Counties, from mouth to Merwin Dam.

Anglers can fish without limits at three Okanogan County lakes

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:07:59 -0400

OLYMPIA - Starting immediately, licensed anglers can catch and keep as many game fish as they want at three lakes in Okanogan County scheduled for rehabilitation next month.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has suspended daily fishing limits at Alta Lake, Fish Lake and Schallow Pond prior to treating those waters with rotenone to eradicate undesirable fish species.

Washington Will Close Curl Lake for Maintenance

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:31:42 -0400

Action: Closure of Curl Lake (Columbia County) to fishing for all species.

Dates: Sept. 8 through Oct. 31, 2011.

Species Affected: All fish

Reason for action: Curl Lake in the upper Tucannon River drainage will be drained in early September to allow the lake bed to dry out prior to scheduled maintenance dredging. Dredging is necessary to maintain the lake for spring chinook acclimation prior to release, and for trout fishing opportunities.

Most of Puget Sound closing to crabbing;

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:47:47 -0400

OLYMPIA - Most areas of Puget Sound will close to recreational crab fishing at sunset on Labor Day, with summer catch reports due by Oct. 1.
The only two areas of the Sound that will remain open to crab fishing after Labor Day are marine areas 7-North and 7-South near the San Juan Islands. Sport fishers who crab in those two areas from Sept. 5-30 must record their catch on winter catch record cards.