OLYMPIA—Clear weather in recent days should mean some great steelhead fishing in Washington rivers as their flows moderate.
Even with recent heavy rains, bank anglers have been having some luck with hatchery steelhead in the Cowlitz and Lewis rivers, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) Joe Hymer.
WDFW has been "recycling" hatchery steelhead on those and other southwest Washington rivers by trucking fish arriving at hatcheries back down to the river mouths to provide additional angling opportunities.
WDFW biologists in northern Puget Sound and on the coast also report improving river conditions and better fishing.
So now is a good time to experience the thrill of landing a fighting steelhead. Most hatchery fish weigh from 5 to 10 pounds, but there are trophy fish in the 20-pound range. The state record for winter-run steelhead is 32 pounds, 12 ounces.
Novices can try fishing from the bank so a heavy investment in a boat is not necessary. But heavy-duty gear is important.
Check the steelhead regulations before going fishing as rules may differ from river to river and reflect protective measures for wild (unclipped) steelhead. Call WDFW's Fish Hotline (360-902-2500) for the latest regulations. Some WDFW regional offices also have hotlines. Check page 6 of the Fishing in Washington regulation pamphlet for those numbers. Call WDFW's Jim Byrd at (360) 586-3104 for a winter steelheading fact sheet.
Other fish and wildlife recreational opportunities include:
Swan viewing: Now is a great time to see swans in Washington as they migrate south from their breeding grounds in Alaska and northwestern Canada. Trumpeter and tundra swans are native to Washington. "Trumpeter swans can be found mostly on the west side of the Cascade Range although we are getting more reports of trumpeters from east side birders," said Martha Jordon of The Trumpeter Swan Society. Tundras regularly winter in some of the wetlands, such as the Potholes Reservoir area and the McNary Wildlife Refuge, in eastern Washington. A mixed population of tundra and trumpeter swans winter in the Skagit Valley and Columbia River Basin. On the west side, the agricultural fields of the Skagit and Snohomish valleys, especially around State Route 9, are great viewing places. Driving from Ferndale to Everson in Whatcom County and in the vicinity of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge near Vancouver is a good way to see swans. Jordan noted, "When you pull over make sure you're in a safe and legal parking area. Stay in your car and use it as a blind (for photographing and viewing with binoculars). If you get out of your car move slowly and quietly. Use a telephoto lense or binoculars to view the swans without disturbing their normal activities." To report swan sightings or to get a Swan Identification pamphlet send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to The Swan Working Group, at 914 164th Street, Suite 272, Mill Creek, WA 98012.
Westside Fishing: (See Southwest Washington Fishing Reports for more information.)
- Sturgeon: Fishing should be decent in the Columbia River from Longview upstream to Bonneville Dam. This has been a good winter area to catch sturgeon which become more active in high and muddy water.
- Trout: Brood stock rainbows weighing up to 11 pounds were released into several area waters last week. The plants were as follows: Klineline Pond near Vancouver - 100; Horseshoe Lake near Woodland - 50, Kress Lake near Kalama - 225; Lake Sacajawea near Longview - 225; Ice House Lake near Bridge of the Gods - 35; Kidney Lake near North Bonneville - 55; Little Ash Lake near Stevenson - 35; Northwestern Lake on the Little White Salmon River - 50; Tunnel Lake just east of Drano Lake - 35. More releases of catchable size trout are expected in the near future.
- Smelt: No effort or catch was observed during the week of Jan. 4-10 on the Cowlitz River. Test dipping at Gearhart Park near Longview produced no catch Jan. 6. Returns of smelt are expected to be poor this year but WDFW will continue to monitor the run. Anglers can call WDFW's Region 5 office in Vancouver at (360) 696-6211 and dial *1010 for the latest smelt updates. Anglers should note: smelt fishing in Washington Columbia River tributaries is allowed only on Wednesdays and Saturdays through Feb. 13. The daily limit is 10 pounds per person. No license is required.
Eastside fishing:
- Trout: Rainbow trout at Lake Roosevelt—Washington's largest reservoir on the Columbia River off Grand Coulee Dam—continues to be hot through the cold of winter. These fish quickly put on the inches and pounds in this huge waterway where there's room for everyone, both boat and shore anglers alike. Catch limits (five a day) can be landed at many spots along the reservoir, but the Spokane River arm, along the northeastern boundary of Lincoln County, has been particularly productive this month.
- Ice fishing could be hazardous: With temperatures rising and rain falling, some eastside lakes may be hazardous for ice fishing. Use extreme caution.
Final days of waterfowl hunting: Duck and goose hunters have one more weekend to put a few more birds in the bag as Washington's waterfowl season comes to a close Jan. 17. Recent moderating winter weather could spread birds out as more open water is available.
Wildlife watching at waterfalls: Waterfalls create unique opportunities—and obstacles—for fish and wildlife. That makes them great places to view fish, birds and other animals as well as ice sculptures shaped by falling water, wind and icy temperatures. Be careful because winter temperatures also can put a dangerous icy glaze on rocks—which means hazardous footing.
Animals that frequent waterfalls include:
- Dippers, gray songbirds also called water ouzels—These starling-sized birds dive under the rapids in search of prey. They also search the rocks for insect larvae. Dippers often nest in the heavy spray zones of waterfalls.
- Belted kingfishers, compact, jay-sized birds—Can be observed rattling overhead as they fly above falls and rapids looking for small fish. The birds dive and spear their prey with uncanny accuracy.
- Mink and other members of the weasel family—If you don't see the animals, look for their tracks as well as holes in the snow and ice along the stream banks where they enter the river or stream.
- Salmon and trout—These anadromous species "climb" waterfalls with spectacular jumps.
Any waterfall will attract fish and wildlife, but two of the best areas for waterfall visiting include the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Rainier National Park. The Columbia Gorge offers many waterfall views and access points (many are on the Oregon side). Mount Rainier Park offers about a dozen falls.
Get a copy of "A Waterfall Lover's Guide to the Pacific Northwest" by Gregory Plumb for more information. Or call Mount Rainier National Park at (360) 569-2211 or the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area at (541) 386-2333.
