December 12, 2001 - January 8, 2002

Contact: Madonna Luers, (509) 456-4073 or Doug Williams, (360) 902-2256

For those tiring of the holiday bustle, myriad fish and wildlife recreation opportunities offer a change of pace.

For birdwatchers, the 101st annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count is at hand. From Dec. 15 and Jan. 5 bird watchers across the state will join spotting teams to count all birds seen in a 15-mile diameter or 177-square-mile area within a 24-hour period. Now drawing more than 50,000 participants nationwide each year, the Christmas Bird Count provides one of the most valuable databases on bird population and distribution trends in existence. They're also fun, sometimes competitive, and a great way to get into birdwatching and learn identification tricks from veteran birders. Check out the regional reports that follow for locations, dates, and contacts, or see http://www.wos.org/WACBCs.htm.

If you're still shopping for a holiday gift for a fisher, hunter or other outdoor enthusiast, pick up a 2002 license or access stewardship permit at a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) office or one of hundreds of vendors across the state. Current fishing and hunting licenses are valid through March 31, 2002, so fishers or hunters whose seasons continue into the new year are covered. New licenses, valid from April 1, 2002 through March 31, 2003, make great gifts. If the recipient is currently licensed, only the name and birth date are required to access the Washington Interactive Licensing Database (WILD) computerized system. Names and locations of all license vendors are available by region on the department's website. Licenses can also be purchased with a credit card over the phone at 1-866-246-9453 or at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov on the Internet.

Other gift items for fish and wildlife enthusiasts also available through WDFW include:

- The Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program packet, with detailed information and plans for creating year-round habitat for birds and other wildlife, is available for $5. For an additional $5, you can help someone enroll in the program to receive a weather-proof yard sign, certificate, and subscription to a twice-yearly newsletter, "Crossing Paths with Wildlife in Washington's Cities and Towns." Children's coloring booklets on the same subject -- "Backyards for Birds," "Watching Washington's Birds," and "At Home Activities" are also available for $1 - $2 each.

- "Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest," a 220-page book written by WDFW Urban Wildlife Biologist Russell Link, has chapters on everything from building a backyard pond to creating hedgerows. It's available for $25 at WDFW's Mill Creek and Spokane offices, or by mail for $28 from WDFW, Attn. Landscape Book, 1608 Mill Creek Blvd., Mill Creek, WA 98012.

- Four 24" x 36", full-color fish and wildlife posters produced by WDFW are available for $5 each through several non-profit organizations across the state. Painted in watercolors by Washington artist Amy C. Fisher, the posters depict "Seastack Shoreline," "Shrub-Steppe Ecosystem," "Urban Wildlife," and "Watershed Partnerships." WDFW regional offices have color flyers on the poster series that list the organizations which sell them.

- "Sport Fish of Washington" is a narrated, pictorial tour of Washington's major fresh and saltwater sport fish on CD-ROM, available for $5.40 plus a $1.25 shipping fee from WDFW, Licenses Division, 600 Capital Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

- Personalized vehicle license plates applications are available at all WDFW offices. Proceeds from the $46 license-plate fees directly benefit non- hunted species of wildlife.

If you're itching to get out on coastal beaches to do a little clam digging, the winter season gets under way Dec. 13-15. It's been one of the best years in recent memory for the succulent razor clams that burrow deep into the fine sand of Washington's southern and central Pacific coast beaches an especially enticing holiday getaway for eastern Washingtonians. Most clam digging is at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches where marine toxin levels are low enough to allow safe use of clams. More winter clamming days are ahead, tentatively Dec. 30 - Jan. 1, and further into the new year depending on results of the first harvest and toxin testing. Clam diggers must have a valid shellfish/seaweed license, combination license or two-day license to harvest shellfish. 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. For more information see the Coastal regional report below and the Fishing in Washington pamphlet.

If you're looking for a family outing while youngsters are on holiday break from school, there are many spectacular winter wildlife viewing sites to visit. WDFW's Oak Creek Wildlife Area, west of Yakima, hosts a winter elk feeding station that affords an easy and close-up view of hundreds of these majestic animals. Every day at 1:30 p.m. the hay truck rolls through the fenced-in feeding grounds near the wildlife area headquarters, just off Hwy. 12 southwest of Naches. Up to 1,800 elk will gather there for the free meals by the peak of winter; during the week of Dec.10, about 800 elk were counted at the feed grounds.

Elk are viewable and visitors are welcome throughout each day, seven days a week. Senior Environmental Corps volunteers are on hand in the parking lot and small visitors' center daily from about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide information and answer questions. Bighorn sheep are also viewable at a winter feeding site on the nearby Clemen Mountain unit of the wildlife area. For more information, see the Southcentral regional report below.

In the northeast corner of the state, bighorn sheep are also easily viewable at a winter feeding station at the base of Hall Mountain near Sullivan Lake in Pend Oreille County. By the peak of winter up to 50 sheep, from stately full-curl rams to frisky lambs, come in for hay and alfalfa pellets at the site, which is located near the Noisy Creek campground of the Sullivan Lake Ranger District and is co-managed by WDFW and the U.S. Forest Service. For more information, including traveling directions and site precautions, see the Eastern regional report below.

In northwest Washington, the Skagit River Bald Eagle natural area is a great spot to easily see wintering bald eagles. Up to 350 of these big birds congregate along the river from late November to early March, dining on spawned-out salmon carcasses. Viewing opportunities usually peak in January, but holiday visitors are likely to see many eagles. On weekends and holidays starting Dec. 28 the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center in Rockport is open for information, guided walks, and special guest speaker talks and slide shows. For more information about Skagit eagle watching, see the North Puget Sound regional report below.

If it's hot fishing you want during this cold season, there are several options. Lots of hatchery-reared steelhead identified by their missing adipose fin are crowding into rivers from northern Puget Sound to the northern Olympic Peninsula. Some of the best fishing was reported earlier this month on the Quillayute-Bogachiel river system near Forks, where lots of "two salt" hatchery steelhead were taken. Steelhead trout fishing on the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers in northcentral Washington is excellent.

Snake River steelheading is still very good now, especially on the tributaries. Lake Roosevelt rainbow trout and kokanee fishing is best during the winter. Several eastside winter-only trout lakes are prime and could get even better once safe ice cover provides more access for all fishers.

For more details on these and other fish and wildlife recreational opportunities in Washington, see the following reports by region:

North Puget Sound:

• Fishing: The blackmouth fishery In Marine Area 10 - central Puget Sound between Edmonds and the northern end of Vashon Island is open Dec. 16-31 with a one fish per day, 22-inch minimum size limit. With the blackmouth fishery winding down, angler attention can now focus on steelhead. For steelheaders, the week between Christmas and New Year's Day is the prime time for hitting their favorite stream. "Most of the traditionally strong steelhead streams have good numbers of catchable fish in them already, and we expect those numbers to increase throughout the end of the year," said WDFW habitat biologist Curt Kraemer. "The Snohomish, Green, Skagit, and Stillaguamish rivers have good fishing on them, depending on the stream flows," Kraemer said. Bank plunkers, driftboaters, spoon-casters, and flyfishers are all finding fish. There is a new requirement this season to release all wild steelhead caught on the Skagit, Stillaguamish, and Snohomish river systems, effective Dec. 1 to Feb. 28. Check the "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for additional information. All northern Puget Sound marine areas are open for Dungeness and red rock crab fishing, although WDFW Shellfish Biologist Don Velasquez said there is chance the Port Susan-Port Gardner area could close to harvest near the end of December because of a soft shell condition. Crabbers should check the shellfish portion of the WDFW website for updated information about any potential shellfish closures.

• Hunting: Forest grouse hunting continues through Dec. 31, while hunting for snow goose runs through Jan. 6 in Goose Management Area One, which is Skagit, Snohomish, and Island counties. The general duck hunting season continues throughout the region until Jan. 20. Hunters are reminded that they must report their hunting activity for each deer, elk, bear, and turkey tag acquired by Jan. 31 by calling toll free 1-877-945-3492, or through the WDFW website. Hunters who report within 10 days of taking an animal, and unsuccessful hunters who report by midnight on Jan. 10, will be entered in a drawing for one of nine deer or elk special incentive permits. More information on this incentive program is available in the 2001 pamphlet edition of "Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules."

• Wildlife viewing: Dozens of bald eagles are congregating on several northern Puget Sound streams, feasting on spawned-out salmon carcasses. The best Skagit River bald eagle viewing is available at three viewing areas located along on Hwy. 20 between Concrete and Marblemount at Milepost 100, Howard Miller Steelhead County Park in Rockport, and at the Marblemount Fish Hatchery. Eagle watchers should use these designated areas, as most river-front property is privately owned. For safety, avoid parking on narrow highway shoulders, or obstructing highway traffic. Starting Dec. 28, "Eagle Watcher" U.S. Forest Service volunteer hosts are stationed on weekends at these three viewing areas with spotter telescopes, information handouts, and up-to-date answers to your questions about Skagit eagles and other wildlife. Also starting Dec. 28, the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center in Rockport is open Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (360) 853-7614, or weekdays at (360) 853-7009 to arrange special Friday tours for school groups, senior citizen groups, or others. Snow geese can be found congregating in fields on Fir Island near the mouth of the Skagit River at LaConner. Northern Puget Sound residents can participate in the annual Christmas bird count, sponsored by the Washington Ornithological Society. Each region has a number of local bird count projects on specific days. Here is information on locations, dates, and contacts for central and northern Puget Sound bird counts: Bellingham, Dec. 16, contact: Geri Walker, gfoss_98225@yahoo.com or Joe Meche, 360-738-064; East Lake Washington, Dec. 15, contact: Len Steiner, 425- 827-2478; Edmonds, Dec. 29, contact: Sally van Neil, svanniel@gte.net or 425-778-7568; Everett, Dec. 15, contact: Mary Teesdale, mteesdale@hotmail. com or 360-734-9077; Kent-Auburn, Dec. 30, contact: Thais Bock, tbock@concentric.net or 253-839-2044; North Cascades (Newhalem), Dec. 14, contact: Bob Kuntz, robert_kuntz@nps.gov or 360-5700, ext. 368; San Juan Ferry (Anacortes), Dec. 29, contact: Barb Jensen, skylark@rockisland.com or 360-378-3068; Seattle, Dec. 29, contact: Seattle Audubon Society, cbc@seattleaudubon.org or 206-523-4483Skagit Bay, Dec. 30, contact: Art Campbell, rapakivi@earthlink.net or 206-783-2449; Tacoma, Dec. 15, contact: Faye Adams, zest4parus@hotmail.com or 253-884-4812; Vashon Island, Sun., Dec. 30, contact: Sue Trevathan. suetrev@attglobal.net or 206-463-1484; and Whidbey Island, Dec. 15, contact: Bob Merrick, Tinekesfam@aol.com or 360-678-3161. Contact the Washington Ornithological Association for more information.

Olympic Peninsula/South Sound:

• Fishing: Another round of razor clam harvesting has been scheduled. Here is this week's digging schedule, along with afternoon or evening low tides: December 13 (5:27 p.m. -0.6) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks; December 14 (6:13 p.m. -0.7) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks; December 15 (6:56 p.m. -0.7) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch. It's possible that a fourth round of razor clam openings could occur in late December, depending on the results of marine toxin tests. Those tentative openings are currently scheduled Dec. 30-Jan. 1 from noon to midnight. Clam diggers must have a valid shellfish/seaweed license, combination license or two-day license to harvest shellfish. For licensing information, see the WDFW Fishing in Washington pamphlet. "Steelheading on the Quillayute system was phenomenal during the first week of December, and hatchery fish should be available in most of the other north coastal rivers," said Bill Freymond, acting region 6 fish program manager. The proof is in the numbers: Fish checks on the Bogachiel /Quillayute system for Dec. 3-6 showed 105 anglers kept 112 hatchery fish, released 59 hatchery fish, and kept one wild fish. For Dec. 7-9, 66 anglers kept 35 hatchery fish, released one hatchery fish, and kept one wild steelhead. "That's pretty fantastic fishing," Freymond said. Anglers on the Calawah River saw similar success rates of about one hatchery fish being kept for every two anglers. Freymond said the Sol Duc River system hasn't seen much angling pressure yet. "The Sol Duc will get going probably in the middle of January when the wild fish start showing up," he said. There's more good news on the steelheading front: Freymond said fish checkers were seeing a lot of "two-salt" fish, mainly in the 6-8 pound range. "That's an early indication that ocean survival conditions were good," Freymond said. The late-run coho salmon fishery on the Satsop River is off to a great start as well, Freymond said. "Some of the fish are showing a little color, but many of them are really bright fish," he said. And they're big: Fish up to 15 pounds have been reported on the Satsop. Check the WDFW website for updated steelhead fishing reports.

• Hunting: Jack Smith, WDFW regional wildlife manager, said late-season waterfowl hunting can be pretty good in the Chehalis River Valley. "Quite a few more ducks have shown up in the area over the past few weeks, and they seem to be distributed pretty well throughout the region," Smith said. Hunters between Montesano and Oakville should look for any of the 16 Chehalis River Valley farms posted with "hunting allowed" signs. Smith said there are also a few scattered state-owned tracts open to hunting in the area. Goose numbers are also up in the region, Smith said, but there appears to be a large number of the dusky Canada geese subspecies in the region. Duskies are off-limits to hunters. Hunters are reminded that they must report their hunting activity for each deer, elk, bear, and turkey tag acquired by Jan. 31 by calling toll free 1-877-945-3492, or through the WDFW website. Hunters who report within 10 days of taking an animal, and unsuccessful hunters who report by midnight on Jan. 10, will be entered in a drawing for one of nine deer or elk special incentive permits. More information on this incentive program is available in the 2001 pamphlet edition of "Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules."

• Wildlife viewing: The chum spawning show at Kennedy Creek in the extreme southern end of Puget Sound is just about over for the year. While there still may be some spawning activity continuing through the month, the peak of the run came a few weeks ago. Birdwatchers in the Grays Harbor area are reporting such winter visitors as tundra swan, trumpeter swan, and lesser scaup. Visitors to the north Olympic Peninsula Victorian seaport of Port Townsend can now visit the Port Townsend Marine Science Center's new exhibit, "Where the Land Meets the Sea: Natural History of the Shoreline." The new exhibit continues the PTMSC tradition of hands-on experiences combined with docent interactions and scientific information. The exhibit is housed on the beach at Fort Worden State Park, and features interactive media displays presented by trained docents on such topics as glacial bluff geology, beach formation and dynamics, sand and rocks found along the shores and the animals living in that habitat: seabirds, shorebirds, river otters, forage fish, salmon and dogfish. Most of the fossils on display were found along Olympic Peninsula shores. There is also a Washington Geo-Puzzle, a tabletop interactive exhibit that allows visitors to reconstruct the growth of Washington's land mass as plates collide, terranes arrive, mountains move and shorelines shift. The new exhibit is open Thursday through Sunday, noon-4 PM. Admission: Adults $3; children 6-17,$2; children under 6, free. Members of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center are admitted free. More information is available by contacting Anne Murphy, (360) 385-5582, or via e-mail at ptmsc@olympus.net or http://www.olympus.net/ptmsc. Area residents can participate in the annual Christmas bird count, sponsored by the Washington Ornithological Society. Each region will have a number of local bird count projects on specific days. Here is information on bird counts in the coastal, southern Puget Sound, Hood Canal, and Olympic Peninsula areas: Grays Harbor, Dec. 15, contact: Bob Morse, rwmorse@home.com ;Kitsap County,Dec. 29, contact: Nancy Ladenberger, nladenbe@aol.com or 253-839-8063; Olympia, Dec. 16, contact: George Walter, gwalter@nwifc.wa.gov or360-459-8220; Port Gamble,Dec. 22, contact: Scott Hall, shall@tscnet.com or 360-698-12546; Port Angeles-Victoria Ferry, Dec. 27, contact: Scott Atkinson, scottratkinson@hotmail.com ; Port Townsend, Dec. 15, contact: Richard Johnson, 360-385-5418, and Sequim-Dungeness, Dec. 17, contact: Bob Boekelheide, bboek@olympus.net or 360-681-4867. Contact the Washington Ornithological Association for more information.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: The hatchery winter steelhead are coming in strong, but effort hasn't kept pace maybe anglers are worn out from all the outstanding salmon fishing earlier this year, suggests Joe Hymer, fish biologist in Vancouver. "If you haven't fished winter steelhead for a while, this would be a great year to go," he advises. The North Fork Lewis River has already seen 800 returning steelhead, more than the total for all of last year, while the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery has already counted 340 steelhead back. To keep tabs on the returns check the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hat/escape/escape.htm on the Internet. Several waters will open this weekend for steelhead fishing: Grays River from the Highway 4 bridge upstream to the south fork, and the west fork of the Grays from the mouth upstream to the hatchery intake/footbridge (located about a mile upstream from the hatchery) both open Saturday (Dec. 15). Also, closures in waters around Grays River Hatchery have been rescinded because of the strong early showing of fish. The North Fork Lewis River opens Sunday (Dec. 16) from Colvin Creek (just above the Lewis River Salmon Hatchery) upstream to the overhead power lines below Merwin Dam. The Elochoman, Kalama, and Washougal rivers as well as Salmon Creek near Vancouver also are likely spots to hook a hatchery winter steelhead. Meanwhile, fishers will find several area lakes recently stocked with large rainbow trout. Carlisle Lake near Onalaska received 56 rainbows last week and Rowland Lake near Lyle got 211 rainbow trout, all in the 7- to 10-pound range. To check upcoming stocking check the catchable trout plants weekly reports on the WDFW website or call WDFW's Vancouver regional office at (360) 696-6211, Hymer suggests. Sturgeon fishing remains good for boat anglers below Bonneville Dam with the best catches from the gorge downstream to Woodland. A few fish are also being caught off the bank just below the dam. Beginning Jan. 1, anglers will also be able to retain sturgeon from Bonneville and The Dalles pools.

• Hunting: So far this year, Canada goose hunting in the region has been slow. Last week some check stations recorded no harvest during the week and few hunters with birds on the weekend. As of Dec. 9, counts showed 371 hunters having taken 879 geese. In comparison at this time last year, 631 hunters had taken 1,350 geese. This is a 41 percent reduction in the number of hunters checked and a 35 percent reduction in the number of geese taken. Hunters are reminded that they must report their hunting activity for each deer, elk, bear, and turkey tag acquired by Jan. 31 by calling toll free 1-877-945-3492, or through the WDFW website. Hunters who report within 10 days of taking an animal, and unsuccessful hunters who report by midnight on Jan. 10, will be entered in a drawing for one of nine deer or elk special incentive permits. More information on this incentive program is available in the 2001 pamphlet edition of "Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules."

• Wildlife viewing: It's the season for annual Christmas bird counts, sponsored by the Washington Ornithological Society. Leadbetter Point bird counts will take place Saturday (Dec. 15); for information contact Robert and Lisa Sudar, fallcreek@toledotel.com or (360) 423-1780. At Ridgefield NWR/Vancouver Lake counts are on Sunday (Dec. 16); for information contact Wilson Cady, gorgebirds@juno.com or (360) 835-5947. Birders in Cowlitz County will count on Jan. 1; for information contact Robert Sudar, fallcreek@toledotel.com or (360) 423-1780. Wahkiakum County birders will count on Dec. 28; for information contact Andrew Emlen, skipaddle@pacifier.com or (360) 795-8300. Contact the Washington Ornithological Association for more information. In other viewing, a mountain goat has been repeatedly spotted near Dead Canyon on the Klickitat Wildlife Area. Over 100 mallards and some teal have been using flooded fields on the Spears Unit of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area south of Randle.

Eastern Washington:

• Wildlife viewing: Have fun contributing to the world's largest bird database by joining one of several Christmas bird counts to be conducted over the next several weeks in this region: Colville, Saturday ( Dec. 15), contact Jerry Cline, jerry_cline@fws.gov or 509-684-4392; Clarkston (and Lewiston, Idaho), Jan. 5, contact Charles Swift, charless@moscow.com or 208-883-0553; Pullman (and Moscow, Idaho), Saturday (Dec. 15), contact Tom Weber, tweber@wsu.edu or 509-334-3817; Spokane, Dec. 30, contact Alan McCoy, amccoy@icehouse.net or 509-448-3123; Walla Walla, Saturday (Dec. 15), contact Mike Denny, messinger@internetnw.net or 509-529-0080. One of the most popular "destination" wildlife viewing sites in this region is the Hall Mountain bighorn sheep winter feeding station in Pend Oreille County, about 80 miles northeast of Spokane. Feed is re-supplied once a week, usually on Fridays or on the weekend, but some sheep are almost always in the vicinity. To get there, follow Hwy. 20 north from Newport or east from Colville to Hwy. 31 and the vicinity of Ione; just south of Ione, cross the bridge over the Pend Oreille River to the east and continue up the hill on Sullivan Lake Road about eight miles; turn off to the east on the Noisy Creek campground road near the south end of Sullivan Lake. County road crews plow the road into a limited parking area near the site when schedules permit, but unplowed snow and ice are common. Be prepared to walk from the parking area to the viewing platform one-quarter mile uphill on snow and/or ice. No pets are allowed and all visitors should minimize noise for the best close-up views of these wild animals. Bald eagles can be viewed along Lake Roosevelt through the winter from the comfort of your car. Just travel the highways along the reservoir, stopping periodically to look for eagles perched in waterfront trees where they're on the lookout for fish or deer carcasses. Traveling the shoreline by boat is even more productive, but of course requires bundling up well. Roosevelt's wintering eagles are rarely seen in groups of more than 10 birds, but total numbers are high - annual winter counts conducted by WDFW, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Spokane and Colville tribes have shown up to 200 birds just in the section between Hunters and the Colville River alone. Tundra swans have been spotted at Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area in Lincoln County, according to WDFW area manager Juli Anderson. When freeze-up is complete, however, the noisy but beautiful birds will probably move on, she says. Some Swanson Lakes visitors have recently reported seeing a gyrfalcon, a large (four-foot wingspan) arctic bird of prey that occasionally winters here. WDFW wildlife biologist Steve Zender reminds wildlife enthusiasts that you don't necessarily need to go anywhere special to enjoy a different kind of viewing winter tracking. "Anyplace with snow will do," Zender says, "which is most of eastern Washington now. And if you like getting out on snowshoes or cross-country skis anyway, the wildlife tracking is just a bonus." Winter recreationists are bound to come across tracks of deer, elk, moose, cougar, coyote, raccoons, rabbits, and birds galore. Pick up a wildlife tracking field guide to identify what you see. Of course you don't even need to leave home to enjoy watching birds at your own backyard winter feeders. To maximize that opportunity, be sure to provide a variety of feed in a variety of feeder types, and keep open water available. http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/byw_prog.htm For more information on .

• Fishing: Snake River steelhead fishing continues through the year and into the next. The best spots traditionally at this time of the season are the tributaries. An exception is the mid-Snake between Clarkston and Heller Bar which showed just over two hours of effort per steelhead caught,according to creel checks as of Dec. 10. Steelheaders on the Touchet River averaged about three hours per fish, on the Tucannon about four hours per fish, and on the Walla Walla about 10 hours per fish. Lake Roosevelt rainbow trout and kokanee fishing seems to get better as the winter gets colder. If you're prepared for winter boating on this big water reservoir, there's nothing like catching a lunker trout or nice silver to warm you up. Walleye fishing on Roosevelt should also be fairly good, especially below Grand Coulee Dam. Rainbow trout fishing is great at Fourth of July and Hog Canyon lakes, southwest of Spokane. Both of these winter-only lakes have a special restriction: only two of your five fish limit can be over 14 inches. That's not a problem at Hog Canyon where there are lots of trout in the 10 to 14-inch range, with a fair number of larger ones. But at Fourth of July, the majority of trout are over 14 inches, some up to 22 inches; anglers who take their first two big trout can keep fishing to try to retain three smaller ones if they don't use bait nor barbed hooks so that large trout can be released safely. Stevens County's Williams and Hatch lakes are also open for winter trout fishing, and Williams has been fairly productive since the opener on Dec. 1. All of these winter lakes are expected to freeze solid anytime, shifting the technique to fishing through the ice and affording non-boat anglers more access. When Sprague Lake freezes over, ice fishing for crappie, perch and other spiny-ray fish should be excellent. Mountain whitefish are biting on the Little Spokane River.

• Hunting: Snowy, cold conditions are aiding both upland game bird and waterfowl hunters. Pheasants, quail, and partridge are holding tighter with all the snow cover, and hunters with dogs are especially doing well. Pheasant season ends Dec. 31 but quail and partridge hunting continues through Jan. 21. More ducks and geese have been pushed this way with winter storms so traditional waterfowling haunts, like the Pend Oreille River, have been productive. Waterfowl hunting in this region runs through Jan. 20. Hunters are reminded that they must report their hunting activity for each deer, elk, bear, and turkey tag acquired by Jan. 31 by calling toll free 1-877-945-3492, or through the WDFW website. Hunters who report within 10 days of taking an animal, and unsuccessful hunters who report by midnight on Jan. 10, will be entered in a drawing for one of nine deer or elk special incentive permits. More information on this incentive program is available in the 2001 edition of "Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules."

North Central Washington:

• Wildlife viewing: Have fun contributing to the world's largest bird database by joining one of several Christmas bird counts to be conducted over the next several weeks in this region: Bridgeport, Dec. 15, contact Meredith Spencer, merdave@televar.com or 509-686-7551; Chelan, Dec. 30, contact Steve Easley, 509-682-2318; Moses Lake, Dec. 28, contact Ron Friesz, rfriesz@2fast.net or 509-754-5350; Wenatchee, Dec. 29, contact Dan Stephens, dstephens@wvcmail.ctc.edu or 509-663-5323. Winter recreationists, especially the slower-moving ones like cross-country skiers and snow-shoers, are bound to come across tracks of deer, elk, moose, cougar, coyote, raccoons, rabbits and birds galore. Pick up a wildlife tracking field guide to identify what you see and increase your enjoyment of this special kind of "wildlife watching." Of course you don't even need to leave home to enjoy watching birds at your own backyard winter feeders. To maximize that opportunity, be sure to provide a variety of feed in a variety of feeder types, and keep open water available. For more information on backyard bird feeding see the department's website.

• Fishing: WDFW fish biologist Heather Bartlett reports that steelhead fishing in the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers is going "wonderfully well." Anglers are quite happy, she says, and the success rate is high enough "to encourage anglers out even on our snowstorm days." Creel checkers are encountering about 40 anglers per day, with a few more on weekends, she noted. "Compared to a resident trout fishery during the summer in the Methow, where we see 10 to 20 anglers per day, this is great," Bartlett says. "I would highly encourage people to venture out." Mountain whitefish should start to bite on the Methow, Wenatchee and other northcentral rivers later this month. WDFW fish biologist Art Viola reports that whitefish catch rates on the Wenatchee have been low so far. WDFW regional fish biologist Joe Foster reports that surplus Ringold Hatchery adult steelhead trout were stocked in Billy Clapp Lake, just north of Stratford in Grant County, Wells Pond No. 2, near Wells Dam on the Columbia River in Chelan County, and Rat Lake in Okanogan County. These 5-to 6-pound fish provide a little extra incentive to bundle up against the cold and cast a line. Foster also notes that Soda Lake in Grant County is producing large (2-1/2- to 5-pound) rainbow trout and a few walleye. Potholes Reservoir and Moses Lake are yielding rainbows and walleye,too. When Sprague Lake freezes over, ice fishing for crappie, perch and other spiny-ray fish should be excellent. Ice fishing for perch and trout at Fish Lake near Lake Wenatchee can be very good but anglers should be sure about safe ice depth before venturing out.

• Hunting: The Columbia Basin offers excellent opportunity for late-season waterfowl hunters says WDFW Wildlife Biologist Jim Tabor.The season extends through Jan. 20 for ducks and geese, and hunting success is often best in the last month. Mallards make up the bulk of the duck harvest, Tabor says. Migrant mallards find food in irrigated farmland and seek resting sites in lakes, ponds and wetlands, many on land managed by WDFW and open to the public for hunting. Tabor notes that the Columbia Basin Wildlife Areas in Grant, Adams, and Franklin counties provide many high-quality duck hunting sites. Although hunters can find success in most of the Wildlife Area units, Potholes and Desert units are favorites. Grant County area pheasant hunters are working hard to get birds. Those with dogs are doing well on public land near Frenchman's Wasteway. Dec. 31 is the last day of the pheasant season. Hunters are reminded that they must report their hunting activity for each deer, elk, bear, and turkey tag acquired by Jan. 31 by calling toll free 1-877-945-3492, or through the WDFW website. Hunters who report within 10 days of taking an animal, and unsuccessful hunters who report by midnight on Jan. 10, will be entered in a drawing for one of nine deer or elk special incentive permits. More information on this incentive program is available in the 2001 pamphlet edition of "Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules."

South Central Washington:

• Wildlife viewing: Have fun contributing to the world's largest bird database by joining one of several Christmas bird counts to be conducted over the next several weeks in this region: Bingen, Dec. 30, contact: Catherine Flick, stewart@gorge.net or 509-493-1195; Ellensburg, Dec. 22, contact: Phil Mattocks, 509-962-2191; Goldendale, Dec. 29, contact: Stuart Johnson, sflj@yahoo.com or 509-493-3363; Lyle, Dec. 16, contact: Bob Hanse, bhansen@wvi.com or 509-365-2404; Toppenish NWR, Dec. 15, contact: Andy Stepniewski, steppie@nwinfo.net or 509-877-6639; Tri-Cities, Dec. 29, contact: Phil Bartley, bfufam@gte.net or 509-783-5265; Trout Lake, Dec. 15, contact: Stuart Johnston, sflj@yahoo.com or 509-493-3363; Yakima Valley, Dec. 15, contact: Denny Grandstrand, osprey@nwinfo.net or 509-453-2500. The elk winter feeding station at WDFW's Oak Creek Wildlife Area west of Yakima is in full swing, according to area manager John McGowan. Up to 1,800 elk will gather there for the free meals by the peak of winter; during the week of Dec.10, about 800 elk were counted at the feed grounds. During average winters, McGowan says, up to 5,000 elk total are fed at sites throughout the 42,000-acre wildlife area. It's a program, he explains, that started decades ago to keep elk off of adjacent private property where they cause damage. Elk are viewable and visitors are welcome throughout each day, seven days a week, through March. Senior Environmental Corps volunteers are on hand in the parking lot and small visitors' center daily from about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide information and answer questions. At nearby Clemen Mountain, 7/10 of a mile up the Old Naches Road from the junction of Hwy. 12 and Hwy. 410, about 150 bighorn sheep are also fed mid-morning each day. McGowan also reports that both golden and bald eagles are showing up in the Oak Creek area, primarily along the Tieton and Naches rivers. Recreationists in that area should note that the Tieton River bridge, which provides access to the river trail and Royal Columns climbing area, has been deemed unsafe and is closed. McGowan reports there are no plans to rebuild the bridge due to lack of funding. Wintering bald eagles are also visible from Yakima's Greenway Trail along the Yakima River, according to WDFW habitat biologist Perry Harvester. He also notes that with fresh snow, bighorn sheep and mule deer are very visible from Hwy. 823 in the Yakima Canyon between Yakima and Ellensburg. Harvester also suggests a trip to the Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge now for good waterfowl viewing opportunities; more ducks and geese are on the move with the cold weather, snow, and recent series of storms.

• Fishing: The stocking of surplus Ringold Hatchery steelhead and Goldendale Hatchery rainbow trout broodstock in several southcentral region waters is still under way, reports WDFW fish biologist Jim Cummins, with weather delaying some of the work. North Elton Pond in Yakima County did receive some of the 5-to 6-pound steelhead the week of Dec. 10. Other waters scheduled to receive fish as soon as possible are Railroad Pond and Dalton Lake in Franklin County; Columbia Park Pond in Benton County; Rotary Lake and I-82 Ponds Number 4 and Number 6 in Yakima County; and North and South Fio Rito lakes, McCabe Pond, and Mattoon Lake in Kittitas County. Catch limits at this waters were recently modified to spread out the harvest of these large fish and sustain fishing for them longer. At North Elton and Railroad ponds, where the current trout catch liimit is two fish per day, the change stipulates that no more than one of those fish may exceed 20 inches in length. At the other waters, where the current trout catch limit (including steelhead) is five fish per day, the change stipulates that only one can exceed 20 inches. Those changes remain in effect through March. Steelhead fishing on the Columbia River in the Ringold area has been fair with bank anglers averaging 18 hours of effort per fish caught and boat anglers averaging 12 hours per fish. Creel checkers report far fewer anglers casting for these fish now. Winter fishing for mountain whitefish should be picking up on the Naches and Yakima rivers this month.

• Hunting: More ducks and geese have been pushed this way with winter storms so traditional waterfowl hunting spots should be as productive as they get now. The season runs through Jan. 20. Hunters are reminded that they must report their hunting activity for each deer, elk, bear, and turkey tag acquired by Jan. 31 by calling toll free 1-877-945-3492, or through the WDFW website. Hunters who report within 10 days of taking an animal, and unsuccessful hunters who report by midnight on Jan. 10, will be entered in a drawing for one of nine deer or elk special incentive permits. More information on this incentive program is available in the 2001 edition of "Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules."