Salmon fishing kicks into high gear in early July, when the Washington coast, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and several areas of Puget Sound open for business. In addition, most of Puget Sound will open to recreational crabbing by July Fourth, and anglers can expect at least one more day of halibut fishing - scheduled June 28 - off the north coast.

For many anglers, a salmon-fishing trip off the Washington coast is a long-awaited rite of summer. Starting July 1, Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) will open for fishing on a daily basis and Marine Area 2 (Westport) will open Sundays through Thursdays. Marine areas marine areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) will open July 3 Tuesdays through Saturdays.

"Overall, we're anticipating a better ocean salmon fishery than last year," said Doug Milward, ocean salmon manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "We're already getting reports of some good-sized coho all along the coast."

Although this year's ocean chinook quota is limited by conservation constraints, coastal anglers will be able to catch 44,400 more hatchery coho salmon than last year, Milward said. As in previous years, anglers must release any coho not marked as a hatchery fish by a missing adipose fin.

"Hatchery coho really drive the ocean fishery anyway, so we're anticipating a good season," Milward said. "Plus, we're expecting a huge run of pink salmon this year."

Other salmon fisheries opening July 1 include:

• The Strait of Juan de Fuca (marine areas 5 and 6), where selective fishing rules will be in effect. See WDFW's Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for details.

• Hood Canal (Marine Area 12), where anglers may catch up to four salmon per day, but only two chinook. All chum must be released.

• The Skagit and Baker rivers, where sockeye are beginning to show.

• The Columbia River above Wells Dam, where the focus is on summer chinook salmon.

Anglers are strongly advised to consult WDFW's Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for additional regulations specific to each of these fisheries.

Also, June 30 is "Release Awareness Day," when anglers are encouraged to release all fish they catch, regardless of type. Information about how to properly release fish can be found on page 28 of WDFW's 2007/2008 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) or on WDFW's selective fishing webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/selective/techniques/.

Ready to crack some crab? The recreational fishery for Dungeness crab will expand to eight additional areas of Puget Sound in the days ahead. Starting today (June 27), recreational crabbing will open in Marine Area 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca) Wednesdays through Saturdays only.

Seven other marine areas will open July Fourth on the same Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule, including marine areas 7 South (San Juan Islands), 8-1 (Deception Pass to East Point), 8-2 (East Point to Possession Point), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton), 11 (Tacoma/Vashon) and 12 (Hood Canal).

As in years past, the daily limit in these areas is five male Dungeness crab measuring at least 6¼ inches, plus six red rock crab of either sex measuring at least 5 inches. For additional information on crabbing, see the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet or check WDFW's crabbing website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/index.htm).

In the interest of wild fire prevention, WDFW reminds Fourth-of-July holiday celebrants that fireworks are not allowed on any water-access sites or wildlife areas the department owns or manages across the state. Camp and picnic fires are also prohibited, except at a few areas with designated metal fire rings or pits.

For additional information about fishing and other outdoor activities available in the days ahead, see the regional reports below:

North Puget Sound

• Fishing: Fishing has been slow for anglers on the saltwater, but catch numbers could rise as more marine areas open for salmon in July. Meanwhile, anglers casting for hatchery spring chinook at a couple of the region's rivers continue to do well.

  Salmon anglers on the Skagit and Cascade rivers have had good success this year, said Brett Barkdull, a WDFW fish biologist. "Both boat and bank anglers are doing great on each river," he said. "The fishery continues to roar along at a pretty good pace, but time is running out for anglers."

  Springer fisheries on both the Skagit and the Cascade run through July 8. Until then, the Skagit is open to hatchery chinook retention from the Highway 530 bridge at Rockport to the Cascade River, while the Cascade is open from the mouth of the river to the Rockport-Cascade Road bridge. The daily limit on both rivers is two hatchery chinook at least 12 inches in length.

  Barkdull reminds anglers that bull trout and Dolly Varden retention is prohibited on the Cascade and Sauk rivers, and on the Skagit River from Rockport to the Gorge Dam.

  Beginning July 1, anglers on the Skagit and Baker rivers will have a chance to catch sockeye. Barkdull said the opener appears to be shaping up nicely, as sockeye have already started to show up. "It looks like fishing could be good right off the bat," he said.

  On the Skagit, the sockeye fishery is open from the Dalles Bridge to 200 feet above the east bank of the Baker River. On the Baker, anglers can fish from the mouth of the river to the Highway 20 bridge. The daily limit on each river is two sockeye at least 12 inches in length. Anglers should note two 1½-day closures on each river in early July. For details on the fishery, check WDFW's 2007/2008 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).

  Saltwater anglers are gearing up for mark-selective chinook fisheries in marine areas 9 (Admiralty Inlet) and 10 (Seattle/Bremerton). But those fisheries don't start until July 16. Until then, anglers will find a number of other fishing opportunities out on the Sound.

  The catch-and-release salmon fishery in the northern portion of Marine Area 10 continues through June 30. However, beginning July 1, anglers fishing in the marine area will have a daily limit of two salmon, plus two additional pink salmon, with no minimum size limit. Anglers must release chinook salmon, and handling rules are in effect.

  Another option is Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands), which also opens July 1 for salmon. "Early on, I expect fish to be scattered throughout the islands," said Steve Thiesfeld, another WDFW fish biologist. "Anglers will have to work at it, but there should be fish out there." Anglers will have a daily limit of two salmon, and two additional pink salmon, but can only keep one chinook, which must be 22 inches in length to retain.

  Break out those crab pots. The crab fishery opens July 4 in marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner), 9, 10, and the southern portion of 7. Fisheries in those areas will be open on a Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule, plus the entire Labor Day weekend. See WDFW's sport-crabbing website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/) for more information.

  Elsewhere, coonstripe and pink shrimp fisheries are in full swing in marine areas 8-1, 8-2, 9 and the northern and central portion of Marine Area 7. For more information on the shrimp fisheries check WDFW's website at http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/shrimpreg/shrimpindex.shtml.

  Before heading out, anglers should check the rules and regulations for freshwater and saltwater fisheries in WDFW's 2007/2008 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).

• Wildlife viewing: Steady sightings of orcas near San Juan Island have been reported recently. During one outing, whale-watchers spotted four members of J-pod traveling south in Haro Strait. The group also saw a minke whale in the area, as well as a lone Dall's porpoise traveling in front of the pod of killer whales.

  Birders in the Bailer Hill area of San Juan Island have been treated to an unusual sight - juvenile western bluebirds. The juvenile bluebirds are believed to be the first seen in the San Juans since the mid-1960s. The parents of the juveniles are one of eight western bluebirds transferred to San Juan Island from Fort Lewis in Pierce County. Western bluebirds were once common in the San Juan Islands, but were unable to compete with European starlings for nest sites.

  Elsewhere, a birder in the Kent Valley recently saw several different species, including a mourning dove, several spotted sandpipers, a willow flycatcher, a Lazuli bunting, a couple of green herons, a wood duck and some Bullock's orioles.

South Sound/Olympic Peninsula

• Fishing: The summer salmon fishery kicks into high gear in early July with openings along the coast, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Hood Canal. In addition, most areas of central Puget Sound are set to open for crabbing by July Fourth, and anglers can expect at least one more day of halibut fishing - scheduled June 28 - off the north coast.

  "Overall, we're anticipating a better ocean salmon fishery than last year," said Doug Milward, WDFW ocean salmon manager. "We're already getting reports of some good-sized coho all along the coast."

  Salmon fisheries opening July 1 include:

  • Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) - Open daily with a two-fish daily limit. Only one chinook may be retained and all wild coho must be released. Minimum size for chinook is 24 inches and 16 inches for coho.

  • Marine Area 2 (Westport) - Open Sundays through Thursdays only with a two-fish daily limit. Only one chinook may be retained and all wild coho must be released. Minimum size for chinook is 24 inches and 16 inches for coho.

  • Marine Areas 5 and 6 (Sekiu/Pillar Point and eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca) - Open daily with a two-fish daily limit, plus two additional pink. Minimum size for chinook is 22 inches. No minimum size for other salmon. Release all chum, wild chinook, and wild coho west of Ediz Hook; and release chum, all chinook, and wild coho east of Ediz Hook. Single-point barbless hooks are required.

  • Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal south of Aycock Point) - Open daily with a four-fish daily limit. Up to two chinook may be retained. Minimum size for chinook is 22 inches. All chum must be released.

  Salmon fisheries opening July 3 include:

  • Marine Area 3 (LaPush) - Open Tuesdays through Saturdays only with a two-fish daily limit. Only one chinook may be retained and all wild coho must be released. Minimum size for chinook is 24 inches and 16 inches for coho. Anglers can add a pink from Aug. 1 - Sept. 15.

  • Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) - Open Tuesdays through Saturdays only with a two-fish daily limit. Only one chinook may be retained and all wild coho must be released. Minimum size for chinook is 24 inches and 16 inches for coho.

  Anglers are advised to check the 2007-08 Fishing in Washington pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for additional regulations.

  Meanwhile, salmon anglers have been doing well in Marine Area 11 (Vashon Island/Tacoma), where a WDFW creel check reported about one fish for every three rods over the June 23 weekend. The fishery runs seven days a week, with a limit of two salmon a day. Minimum size for chinook is 22 inches, but there is no minimum for other species. Commencement Bay is closed to salmon fishing until Aug. 1. Selective fishing rules are in effect this year, requiring anglers to use single, barbless hooks and release any wild chinook.

  Still hoping to tie into a big flatfish? Recreational halibut fishers will get at least one more day of fishing off the north coast this month. On June 28, fishing will be open on all waters in marine areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay). There are 28,700 pounds remaining in the quota, allowing the fishery to reopen, said Carol Henry, WDFW fish biologist. "The weather's been great, so we hope anglers will come out and try for a fish." If enough quota remains, another day may be scheduled, Henry said.

  Around the corner in Marine Area 5, halibut fishing remains steady. A WDFW creel check near Olson's Resort off Sekiu showed one halibut for every three rods. Anglers can fish this area five days a week until Aug. 3. The daily limit for halibut is one fish.

  Recreational Dungeness crab fishing opens today (June 27) in Marine Area 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca) and four more areas open July Fourth, including marine areas 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton), 11 (Tacoma/Vashon) and 12 (Hood Canal). Crabbing in all five of those areas will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays only through Sept. 3.

  Crabbing is already under way in several other areas from the coast to south Puget Sound. Marine areas 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu) and 13 (south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) opened June 18 and will be open through Jan. 2, 2008, seven days a week. So far, preliminary results are mixed, said Dave Lowry, WDFW shellfish biologist. "Down in Nisqually they're fishing pretty well and getting some good size crabs, but rough water on the coast is making it hard to get a good catch. Overall though, we expect a good season."

  Lowry reminds crab fishers that only male Dungeness crabs with shells measuring at least 6¼ inches can be taken. All undersized crab, female Dungeness crab and all softshell crab of either sex must be returned to the water.

  He also advises crab fishers to be aware of several changes in this year's catch-reporting system, designed to improve catch estimates and make the reporting process more convenient for sport crabbers:

  • Two-card reporting system: All sport crabbers fishing in Puget Sound will be required to report their Dungeness crab catch on separate summer and fall/winter catch record cards during the course of the season.

  • On-line reporting: For the first time, sport crabbers will have the option of reporting their catch via the Internet in lieu of mailing in their catch cards. The website address will be printed on the catch cards along with the reporting deadlines.

  • No coastal reporting: Catch record cards are no longer required to fish for Dungeness crab on the Washington coast (marine areas 1-4).

  "We're encouraging people to use the new online reporting system that will be available this year right after Labor Day," Lowry said. "We really rely on the data we get, and we hope this system will make it much easier for fishers to report their catch."

  The new catch record cards are available from license dealers throughout the state. Additional information is available on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm, or http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crabreg/crabindex.shtml.

• Wildlife viewing: While people are still enjoying hearing and seeing young birds throughout the area, some are reporting the beginning of fall migration. On the outskirts of Tenino in Thurston County, a birder reported seeing 66 species one recent morning. Sightings posted on the Tweeters birdwatching website http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ included Vaux's swift, vireos, warblers, tanagers, Virginia rail, march wrens, and an olive-sided flycatcher. Meanwhile up north in Sequim, some fall migrants have been sighted. Western and semi-palmated sandpipers were seen near the Three Crabs restaurant and Helen's Pond, while black-bellied plovers, a marbled godwit, whimbrels and a long-billed curlew were observed on the mud flats.

Southwest Washington:

UPDATE (June 29, 2007) Summer chinook: Fishing for adult summer chinook salmon will close at the end of the day July 2 - a month earlier than scheduled - in the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to Priest Rapids Dam near the Hanford Reach. See news release for more information. Sturgeon: Fishery managers have agreed to allow the retention season for white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River downstream from the Wauna powerlines to continue through July 4.

• Fishing: The good news is that hatchery steelhead are moving into the lower Columbia River in increasing numbers, and ocean salmon fishing opens July 1 off the southern coast. The bad news is that catch-and-keep fishing for adult summer chinook salmon comes to an end June 30 below Bonneville Dam and the sturgeon fishery in the Columbia River estuary is fast approaching the area quota.

  "Area fishing opportunities are once again in flux," said Steve Vigg, a WDFW fish harvest manager in Vancouver. "There's plenty of good fishing on the horizon, but it may be in a different spot with different gear."

  As of June 24, anglers fishing below Priest Rapids Dam had caught 1,350 adult summer chinook salmon, fast approaching the area quota of 1,650 fish, said Robin Ehlke, another WDFW fish biologist. "We definitely expect to reach the quota by the end of the day June 30," she said.

  Boat and bank anglers averaged one adult chinook for every 13.8 or 15.3 rods, respectively, that week, with the best boat fishing reported in the gorge. Bank anglers did well at Kalama, Vancouver and just below Bonneville Dam. Hatchery steelhead catches were best from Longview downstream.

  Worth noting is that catch rates for summer chinook and summer steelhead have been running neck-and-neck on the lower Columbia River in recent days. And, while the chinook fishery is coming to a close, "the summer steelhead run really gets going in July," Ehlke said. Although summer steelhead counts at Bonneville Dam were lower than expected through June 24, WDFW is still projecting a run of 297,900 fish - just shy of last year's run of 319,000 fish, she said.

  "Counts of hatchery steelhead are clearly picking up," Ehlke said. "We should start seeing catch rates ramping up soon in the Columbia River, as well as major tributaries such as the Cowlitz, Lewis, Kalama, and Washougal rivers. In addition, the mainstem Columbia below Bonneville Dam will remain open for hatchery steelhead and chinook jacks."

  Ehlke noted that only steelhead with a clipped adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar at the location of the clipped fin may be retained. Anglers are advised to check the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for area-specific regulations.

  As with adult summer chinook, the retention season for white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River from the Wauna powerlines downstream is about to end. This year's sport catch is nearing the 16,200-fish quota for that area, and resource managers from Washington and Oregon will meet June 28 to decide whether to close the fishery before the scheduled ending date of July 5, Ehlke said. "If the catch exceeds the quota, it comes out of next year's allocation," she said. "It's a judgment call." Anglers can check that decision by calling the WDFW Fishing Hotline (360-902-2500) or the Fishing Rule Change site on the department's website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/).

  Another option for sturgeon anglers is to move upriver. Sturgeon retention remains open in the Columbia River from the Wauna powerlines upriver to Marker #85 below Bonneville Dam and from Bonneville Dam upriver to The Dalles Dam. The first area is open to sturgeon retention Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. Bonneville Pool is open seven days per week. All other areas upstream to McNary Dam are closed to sturgeon retention, although catch-and-release is allowed in the open areas.

  Then again, anglers may want to head offshore for the start of the 2007 ocean salmon season. Marine areas 1 (Ilwaco) and 2 (Westport) open for salmon fishing July 1, with coastal areas farther north opening July 3. Waters off Ilwaco are open seven days a week, while salmon fishing off Westport is limited to Thursdays through Sundays. Anglers are advised to check the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for additional regulations.

• Wildlife viewing: A small bird with olive wings and a cream-colored belly is attracting a considerable amount of attention in northern Lewis County. In a flurry of reports on the Tweeters website (http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/), numerous birders have described their observations of a least flycatcher perched in a tree on the edge of a cow pasture near the Centralia Steam Plant. While fairly common in the eastern United States, least flycatchers are seldom seen in Washington state, especially west of the Cascades.

  Several reports made note of the flycatcher's song (che-bec) and its aggressive nature. "During an hour's observation, the bird was active not only singing and calling, but also in chasing after several tree and violet-green swallows that flew into its territory," wrote one birder. "The bird was also observed chasing after a few swallows and at least one savannah sparrow, too," wrote another. Their diet is largely made up of insects, which they often intercept in mid-air. The small bird with the big personality was last seen on Teitzel Road, 0.7 miles south of Big Hanaford Road.

  Appropriate to the season, other contributors to Tweeters described the various nests - and nestlings - they've seen. One birder watched a bullock's oriole build a large nest in a "water drop" shape at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Another described a "floating nest," made of vegetation, under construction by a pair of eared grebes at the refuge on Rest Lake. Nestlings recently spotted at the refuge include coot, pied-billed grebe, Virginia rail, red-breasted nuthatch, brewer blackbird, gadwall, cinnamon teal and Canada goose. A young red-breasted sapsucker was also seen, poking his head out of its nest calling for food.

Eastern Washington:

• Fishing: Chris Donley, WDFW district fish biologist in Spokane, said trout can be easy to catch this time of year because most fish are located at creek mouths in cold, deep water. "Anglers should fish early morning or late in the evening at any of the usual places," he said. Those places include Fishtrap Lake in Lincoln County; Amber, Badger, Clear, Fish, Medical, West Medical and Williams lakes in southwest Spokane County; and Rock Lake in Whitman County. "Use a fish finder to locate the concentrations of trout and then try smaller baits dropped vertically into the school," he said. "I like to use single salmon eggs, or worms and salmon eggs combined. Slow presentations are best."

  WDFW Enforcement Officer Curt Wood also reports good trout fishing. While checking fishers recently at West Medical Lake, Wood said there were "some pretty good numbers of rainbow trout taken, most in the 14- to 17-inch range, mostly by boaters."

  Other fisheries also have been good lately, Donley said. Downs Lake, east of Sprague in the southwest corner of Spokane County, has been yielding yellow perch and largemouth bass. Coffeepot Lake, northeast of Odessa in Lincoln County, also is good for perch and bass. Anglers are reminded that the use of bait is prohibited at Coffeepot Lake. The Twin Lakes, especially Upper Twin, and Deer Springs Lake in Lincoln County are producing largemouth bass.

  "All the other bass waters in the region should be rolling along well right now," Donley said. "But as things heat up, go fishing in the early and late hours."

  Large black crappie can be found in the deep areas of Lake Spokane or Long Lake, the Spokane River reservoir northwest of town. "You have to look hard for them," Donley said. "But they're there and they are big."

  Sprague Lake also has been producing an occasional large crappie and some large channel catfish.

  June 30 is the last day to try to catch a Snake River hatchery spring chinook salmon. The portion of the river from Texas Rapids boat launch upstream to the Corps of Engineers boat launch (about a mile upstream of Little Goose Dam on the south bank), has been open since early May. Daily catch limit is one hatchery (adipose-fin-clipped) chinook of at least 12 inches in length. Anglers must use barbless hooks no larger than 5/8 inch (point of hook to shank).

  John Whalen, WDFW regional fish program manager, said the special Snake River chinook season has been going well for anglers and the last days of the season could continue to be productive.

  All fishers using WDFW water access sites are reminded that open fires outside of designated areas and all fireworks are prohibited.

• Wildlife viewing: WDFW Forester Doug Kuehn recently photographed some young, fuzzy-headed great blue herons at a 10-nest heronry - or communal nesting site - at Chief Timothy State Park west of Clarkston. "Some were just starting to fly and others were apparently going to give it a few more days," Kuehn said.

  Debbie Milks, WDFW fish biologist in Dayton, also said juvenile herons are visible in the heronry near Lyons Ferry Marina on the Snake River. "These birds can be observed from the south shore or by boat under the railroad bridge down stream from Lyons Ferry Marina," she said. "There is also an osprey nest on the top of the highway bridge between Lyons Ferry Marina and Lyons Ferry Park."

  Wildlife families have been spotted throughout the region. Steve Zender, WDFW northeast district wildlife biologist in Chewelah, said that during a recent survey of red-necked grebes at Waitts Lake in Stevens County he saw 11 adults, six young, and one grebe still incubating. Zender also reported locating one more bald eagle nest along the Box Canyon reservoir of the Pend Oreille River. "That brings us to 20 nests in the stretch from about Metaline to Newport," he said. "Two nests failed, but at least 30 young were counted in the rest of the nests."

  Al Palmanteer, WDFW habitat biologist, said abundant wildlife is visible from his home's deck in the Kettle River drainage of Ferry County. Palmanteer reported two mallard hatches, one with eight and the other with six ducklings, a cow moose and her calf in the creek just below the deck, three whitetail deer does with twin fawns each, two mule deer does with single fawns, hatches of pileated woodpeckers and northern flickers in snags along the creek, beavers busily working on four active dams in the creek, rainbow trout spawning in the gravels just above a beaver dam, and several coyotes, osprey, and great blue herons.

  Palmanteer said he also recently had a black bear on his deck - a reminder to be alert and aware about potential problems when living in bear country.

  Precautions to take include:

  • Cleaning barbecue grills immediately after use.
  • Storing garbage in secure, wildlife-resistant containers.
  • Keeping pets, and pet and livestock food indoors.
  • Removing bird feeders.
  • Enclosing beehives and fruit trees with chain-link or electric fencing.
  • Installing more outdoor lighting.

  To avoid encounters with black bears or cougars while camping or hiking, keep a clean camp and use wildlife-resistant trash containers; store food in the trunk of a motor vehicle, in wildlife-resistant food lockers, or in a pack suspended from a tree branch at least 10 feet above the ground and four feet out from the tree trunk; stay in groups, making your presence known by singing or talking; and keep small children close and on the trails.

North Central Washington:

• Fishing: Summer chinook salmon fishing in the Columbia River above Wells Dam opens July 1. The river is open from the Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster to the Highway 17 Bridge at Bridgeport. A portion of the Okanogan River, from the mouth to the Highway 97 Bridge immediately upstream of mouth, also opens July 1. The daily catch limit is six salmon of at least 12 inches in length, only two of which can be adults (at least 24 inches). All sockeye and coho must be released.

  Okanogan River anglers may see live-fish-trapping gear or catch a tagged fish. Both are part of a chinook salmon study, conducted by WDFW and the Colville Confederated Tribes. The fish-trapping gear is marked with bright orange signs, and some previously captured salmon were equipped with jaw tags before being released. If anglers harvest a jaw-tagged salmon, the tag should be returned, with the date and location of catch to WDFW or the tribes, or by calling 360-902-2240 or 509-634-2113. Anglers who call or send in information on tagged fish will be entered into a raffle for cash prizes.

  "Catch-and-release trout fishing in the Methow should start to pick up during July as the river drops into shape," said Bob Jateff, WDFW district fish biologist in Omak. "But remember it's under selective gear rules and be sure to check the regulation pamphlet closely as some areas of the Methow and tributaries are closed to all fishing. Signs will be posted at all our access sites informing anglers of both the open and closed areas."

  Lakes under selective gear rules in the Okanogan also continue to provide good trout fishing. Rat Lake near Brewster, Davis Lake near Winthrop, and Blue Lake on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area are three that are holding up well despite warmer temperatures.

  WDFW Sinlahekin Wildlife Area Manager Dale Swedberg said Blue Lake is "a blue ribbon selective fishery," where rainbow and brown trout can weigh up to three pounds and reach up to 20 inches in length. "There's also good brook trout fishing in Forde Lake, if you can find an open spot in the emergent vegetation," he said. "Conner Lake is a good place to try to catch either rainbow or brook trout. If you don't mind a good hike through rattlesnake country, Dohney Lake may produce large brook trout."

  Jateff said rainbow trout fishing is still steady at Conconully Lake and Reservoir, Wannacut, Pearrygin, and Spectacle lakes.

  "And for those who would like to catch a few bluegill and crappie, Leader Lake has been good for bluegill measuring up to eight inches and crappie up to nine inches," Jateff said. Leader Lake, which is four miles west of the town of Okanogan, has a concrete boat launch and numerous campsites, he added.

  Walleye fishing in Banks Lake is in full swing, said Matt Polacek, WDFW fish biologist. "Fish have been caught in 16 to 22 feet of water along weed beds and over flats," Polacek said. "Fishing seems to be best in the evening hours. Troll bottom walkers with a perch pattern worm harness baited with a night crawler. Fish over the flats around Steamboat Rock and in the Devil's Punchbowl over the old roadbed. Also try north of Steamboat Rock in the large bays."

  In the Columbia Basin, Potholes Reservoir water levels are dropping and surface water temperatures are climbing, signaling the beginning of "top water" largemouth bass fishing. Cast shallow diving plugs or spinner baits to catch bass and occasionally walleye in the sand dunes, Lind Coulee or O'Sullivan dam areas of the reservoir. Good smallmouth bass action and a few big rainbow trout has been reported in many areas outside of the sand dunes.

  All fishers using WDFW water access sites are reminded that open fires outside of designated areas and all fireworks are prohibited.

• Wildlife viewing: Rich Finger, WDFW wildlife biologist, said many bird families are visible now on and around Potholes Reservoir. "Western grebes have young and can be seen with chicks under wing," he said. "Boaters should be especially careful to avoid these birds and enjoy them from a distance. California and ring-billed gulls and Caspian terns have hatched most of their nests on Goose Island. The island is off-limits to foot traffic, but these birds can be observed at a distance by boat."

  Finger said a new parking area and short trails are being created for wildlife viewers on the southeast side of the Potholes Wildlife Area near the Jobs Corps dike access site (Mae Valley Road I-90 exit a mile west of Moses Lake on I-90, 2.5 miles to Road D-5 NE, then left or south.) "Great blue herons, black-crowned night herons, common egrets, and double-crested cormorants can be observed traveling back and forth from nests in this area," he said. "Young do not appear to have fledged yet. Black terns have also been observed from this area."

  The Potholes is just one of several wildlife areas in the Columbia Basin, one of the most important waterfowl breeding grounds in Washington. The thousands of small lakes, potholes, and seeps are home to Canada geese, mallards, redheads, canvasbacks, ringnecks, ruddy ducks, gadwalls, blue and greenwing teal, shovelers, pintails, goldeneyes, and wood ducks.

  Laura Cooke, WDFW wildlife biologist, said there are birding opportunities at the WDFW wildlife viewing and water access site on Sprague Lake in the northeast corner of Adams County. Cliff swallows are nesting in the rocky outcroppings of the channeled scabland portions of the property. Western grebes are abundant on the lake. There are also some Caspian terns and a few American white pelicans. "I've seen Bullock's orioles, black-crowned night herons, even a western wood pewee," she said. "You just have to be patient." Cooke said a new disabled-accessible trail and kiosk is almost completed at the site.

  In the north end of the region, birding is rich in the diverse habitats of WDFW's Sinlahekin Wildlife Area. Area Manager Dale Swedberg reported a variety of waterfowl, some with broods, on the area's many lakes, including red-necked grebes, Canada goose, mallard, and golden-eye. Many songbirds, including various warblers, yellow-breasted chats, grey catbird, red-winged blackbird, flycatchers, veerys and thrushes can be seen in the riparian areas around the lakes and along Sinlahekin Creek and Coulee Creek. Songbirds include meadowlarks, western bluebirds, tree swallows, grasshopper sparrows, lark sparrows, American goldfinchs and vesper sparrows. Birds of the ponderosa pines include red-breasted, white-breasted and pygmy nuthatches; Cassin's and purple finches; white-winged and red crossbills.

  The Sinlahekin's many white-tailed and mule deer fawns are now almost four weeks old and are visible with their foraging mothers in the early evening and early morning. Other wildlife in the area includes rattlesnakes, bighorn sheep, painted turtles, beaver, river otter, coyote, muskrat, cougar, black bear and moose. Swedberg said even a few elk have been seen recently on the Sinlahekin.

  "Butterflies like hot weather, so July is a good time to get out and see a variety of them here," Swedberg said. "Expect generally hot and dry conditions on the Sinlahekin in July and maybe a lightning and thunderstorm or two. It's the start of wildfire season and outdoor recreationists need to be aware of and prepared for fire danger."

South Central Washington:

• Fishing: Rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout fly-fishing on the Yakima River has been good. Fly fishers report the best dry-fly action during daylight hours in the Upper Canyon.

  Jim Cummins, WDFW fish biologist, said many other rivers and streams throughout the region are in good shape now and are producing nice fish. "The Naches and Rattlesnake are good for both rainbow and cutthroat trout that average eight to 10 inches, but larger fish are caught, particularly in the Naches," Cummins said. "Nanuem and Taneum Creeks are also good bets. Rattlesnake Creek and part of the Naches are catch-and-release only and have other special regulations. Anglers should check all the regulations before heading out."

  WDFW District Fish Biologist Eric Anderson said fishing has been good for triploid and catchable size rainbow trout at Clear Lake, and for kokanee at Rimrock Lake in Yakima County. "But anglers need to pay attention to fishing rules on the waterway that connects these two lakes, the North Fork of the Tieton River, because protected bull trout are in the area," he said. "If you inadvertently catch a bull trout, you must release it unharmed."

  Anderson said this is the time of year that bull trout slowly start migrating to their spawning areas. "They're especially vulnerable now," he said. "Bull trout tend to be more aggressive and grow larger than other native trout, such as rainbow and cutthroat. They're commonly confused with the non-native eastern brook trout and in many areas of the Yakima basin both species are found in the same waters." Anderson said brook trout have black spots on the backside dorsal fin, but bull trout have no distinct spots on the dorsal fin. "Remember no black, put it back," he said. Rainbow and cutthroat trout have dark spots on the body, but bull trout have light cream-colored to orange-colored spots on the body. "If you don't know the difference, just be safe and let it go," Anderson said.

  Anderson reminds anglers that in the North Fork Tieton River, fishing is prohibited within 400 feet of Clear Lake Dam and in the spillway channel below Clear Lake.

  High lakes are a good destination for hot summer days and there is good fishing for triploid rainbows at Dog and Leech Lakes in the White Pass area of Yakima County and at Lost Lake near Snoqualmie Pass in Kittitas County.

  Channel catfish and smallmouth bass continue to be caught in several locations along the Yakima and Columbia rivers, from the Tri-Cities to Yakima.

  All fishers using WDFW water access sites are reminded that open fires outside of designated areas and all fireworks are prohibited.

• Wildlife viewing: As summer heats up, hike to the high country for some of the coolest wildlife viewing.

  WDFW's Colockum Wildlife Area, south of Wenatchee in Kittitas and Chelan counties, includes conifer forests and Mission Peak at 6,875 feet. It is home to elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, cougar, and black bears. Look for Peregrine and prairie falcons, all three forest grouse species (spruce, ruffed and blue), Merriam turkey, California quail, chukar partridge, mourning dove, waterfowl, and a myriad of other birds.

  WDFW's Oak Creek Wildlife Area, southwest of Naches in Yakima County, rises to 5,200 feet on Bethel Ridge, where hundreds of elk and some bighorn sheep are summering. Watch for many of the same species as on the Colockum, plus golden eagles, western gray squirrels and Lewis' woodpeckers.

  WDFW's L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, west of Ellensburg in Kittitas County, includes dense stands of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir at an elevation of 4,500 feet. Many of the same species can be found at the wildlife area, including elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, northern goshawk, golden eagles, and pileated woodpeckers. But also watch for spotted owls and white-headed woodpeckers.