August 13 - 26, 1998
Contact: Mike Judge, (360) 902-2407

Salmon fishing heating up as new areas open

OLYMPIA -- Anglers in the Westport area are finding good coho fishing, with some fish running 10 to 15 pounds and most ranging from 6 to 9 pounds. Anglers are averaging one fish per day with some catching their limit of two fish. The 7,000 fish quota could be reached as soon as Saturday, Aug. 15, so be sure to call the Fish Hotline at (360) 902-2500 to check for closures.

The lower Columbia River is entering a "frenzy of salmon fishing activity coinciding with building numbers of Kings entering the lower river," said Tony Floor, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) spokesman.

Coho fishing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca opened August 11, and catches will only improve in the weeks ahead, according to Floor.

Other new salmon fishing opportunities include:

• A portion of the San Juan Islands area, which will open for chinook and other salmon on Sunday, Aug. 16.
• Willapa Bay, which also will open Aug. 16.
• Lake Sammamish, which opened for sport salmon fishing Aug. 7. The daily limit is two salmon. All sockeye and kokanee must be released.

Be sure to check regulations in the "Fishing in Washington" pamphlet, available at WDFW offices and license dealers statewide.

Birdwatching: Potholes Reservoir is an extensive wetland area near Moses Lake that provides excellent habitat for migrating shorebirds. Species expected to pass through the area in late summer include western, least, pectoral, stilt and Baird's sandpipers, American avocet , Wilson's and red-necked phalaropes, black-necked stilts, semipalmated plovers and long-billed curlews. Several species of gulls, terns and jaegers also visit during this season. Smaller numbers of passerines and shorebirds linger into October. This month also provides the best opportunities for viewing plover species and marks the time when various gulls begin drifting in from the Columbia River. Potholes Reservoir is located approximately 3.5 miles southwest of Moses Lake in central Washington. Other good areas to see migrating shorebirds are the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge near Sequim and the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge on the Long Beach Peninsula.

Salmon viewing: Salmon returning to rivers and streams to complete their life cycles provide excellent viewing opportunities.

• Little White Salmon Hatchery: The hatchery has underwater viewing windows and a viewing platform outdoors to see spawning in the river and movement up the fish ladder. Spring chinook, up-river bright fall chinook and coho salmon spawn here from mid-July through October. The hatchery is located about 13 miles east of Stevenson in southwest Washington. The hatchery is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (509) 538-2755 for more information on hatchery tours.
• Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Complex: Spectacular adult salmon, some weighing 30 pounds, can be seen in the hatchery and river. There are displays and an interpretive trail with information about the hatchery and operations. The hatchery is located on Icicle Road, off Highway 2 west of Leavenworth. The hatchery is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Merwin Hatchery: This hatchery is funded by PacifiCorp and managed by WDFW. Summer-run steelhead adults, tiger muskie, juvenile steelhead and sea-run cutthroat can be seen from the viewing deck. The hatchery is located 10 miles east of Woodland on Highway 503 and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call (360) 225-2120 for more information.
• Carson National Fish Hatchery: Spring chinook can be seen from a viewing platform and on Mondays, through August, spawning operations can be observed. The hatchery is located at the confluence of Tyee Creek and Wind River about 14 miles north of the Columbia River, and about 60 miles east of Vancouver. Turn north from SR 14 about 3 miles east of Stevenson. Proceed 14 miles to the hatchery.

Squawfish: Do your part to help save salmon by catching a pikeminnow in the Columbia River -- and make some extra spending money at the same time. Northern pikeminnows, (formerly known as northern squawfish), are native fish similar in shape to walleye (minus the spiny dorsal fin), which can grow up to 25 inches, and eat young salmon and steelhead. To reduce their numbers, anglers are paid $3 to $5 per pikeminnow caught in reservoirs in the lower Columbia and Snake rivers. This program starts each year in May and runs through September. Buy a fishing license and register at one of 11 stations along the rivers, from Cathlamet Marina to Priest Rapids Dam, and up the Snake to Hell's Canyon Dam. Get more details on turning in your catch for cash at any WDFW office.

Orca Whales: The first whale-watching park in the nation is still considered the best place to see orcas from land in the United States. Lime Kiln Point State Park is on the west coast of San Juan Island about 9 miles from Friday Harbor. The best time to see orcas is in the morning, although whales can be seen any time of day.

To get to Lime Kiln Point State Park from Friday Harbor, head southwest on Spring Street until it turns into San Juan Valley Road. Turn left on Douglas Road after passing the airport; and head south until it turns to the west and becomes Bailer Hill Road. Bailer Hill Road will then turn into West Side Road, which goes into the park.

The best way to get close views is to take to the water yourself. Sea kayaking has become very popular and many companies offer rentals and tours.

Crabbing: A crab pot fishery opened Aug. 7 in the Strait of Georgia portion of Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands). The opening is limited to shallow depths (up to 60 feet) to protect crabs still molting. The daily limit is six male Dungeness crabs 6.25 inches and larger and six red rock crabs of either sex, five inches or larger.

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