Updates since June 28 Sturgeon release in John Day Pool, tributaries (See WDFW fishing rule change.) Effective July 1, daily bag limits will increase to three hatchery steelhead on the Cowlitz River and North Fork Lewis River. (See WDFW fishing rule change.)

As Independence Day approaches, salmon and crab fisheries kick into high gear with seasons opening along the coast and in Puget Sound.

The ocean salmon fishery gets under way June 30 when waters off La Push (Marine Area 3) and Neah Bay (Marine Area 4) open for fishing Tuesdays through Saturdays. Coastal fisheries off Ilwaco (Marine Area 1) and Westport (Marine Area 2) will open July 3 on a Sunday-through-Thursday schedule.

Meanwhile, several marine areas in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca will open July 1 for salmon fishing seven days a week. Those waters include marine areas 5 (Sekiu/Pillar Point), 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 7 (San Juan Islands), 10 (Seattle-Bremerton) and 12 (Hood Canal).

"We're expecting a good season in the ocean and Puget Sound, and we're hoping it will start of with a bang," said Steve Thiesfeld, recreational salmon fisheries manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "But we won't know for sure until those fisheries open and anglers get out on the water."

Anglers are advised to check WDFW's 2006-07 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for daily catch limits and other fishing regulations for each area before heading out.

July 1 also marks the start of crab fishing in eight areas of Puget Sound. Those marine areas include areas 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 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).

Crab fishing in those areas generally will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays through Sept. 4, before closing for a catch assessment. However, there are some exceptions:

• Marine areas 6, 7 South, 9, 10, 11 and 12 will be open to crab fishing every day from July 1-8, before switching to the Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule.

• Marine areas 8-1 and 8-2 will be open July 1-2, close July 3-4, and then resume on a Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule.

• All eight areas with a July 1 starting date will be open for crab fishing the entire Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4, before closing for a catch assessment. Fishing will resume in areas where the catch quota has not been met, on dates to be announced by WDFW.

The extra fishing days in July were approved by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission after the fishing pamphlet was published, said Morris Barker, marine resources manager for WDFW.

Not affected by those changes are crab fisheries that opened on June 18 in marine areas 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu) and 13 (south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge). All three areas are open to crab fishing seven days per week through Feb. 28.

Like last year, the daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five male Dungeness crab with a shell width of at least 6¼ inches, plus six red rock crab of either sex with a shell width of at least 5 inches. All undersized crab, female Dungeness crab and all softshell crab of either sex must be returned to the water.

For more information on these fisheries and other opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, see the regional reports below:

North Puget Sound

• Fishing: The Tulalip Bay "bubble" salmon fishery continues to be slow, but anglers south of the bubble are finding plenty of coho. "We're still waiting for the bubble fishery to heat up, but in the meantime fishing for resident coho has been great in Marine Area 10," said Steve Thiesfeld, a WDFW fish biologist. "I heard reports of one boat releasing 30 coho salmon. Hopefully, that's a sign that there will be a lot of those early season fish around this year."

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

  Anglers fishing the Tulalip bubble are reminded that the fishery is open each week from Friday through noon Monday and runs through Sept. 25, except for a one-day closure on June 17. There is a two-salmon daily limit and chinook must be 22 inches in length to retain.

  Another option is Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands), which also opens July 1 for salmon. "Fish will be scattered," Thiesfeld said. "Anglers will have to track them down, but there should be fish out there." Anglers will have a daily limit of two salmon, and can only keep one chinook, which must be 22 inches in length to retain.

  Break out those pots. The crab fishery starts July 1 in the region. In marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay) and 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner), crabbing will be open July 1-2, close July 3-4, and then resume on a Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule. In marine areas 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10, and the southern portion of 7 (San Juan Islands), the fishery will be open every day from July 1-8 before switching to the Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule. See WDFW's sport-crabbing website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/) for more information.

  To participate in the fishery, all crab fishers age 15 or older must obtain and carry a current Washington fishing license. In addition, all crabbers - regardless of age - must obtain and carry a catch record card and a crab licensing endorsement to fish for crab in Puget Sound. The crab endorsement costs $3 for crabbers age 15 and over, but is free to fishers under age 15.

  Fishers also can drop a pot for coonstripe and pink shrimp. In marine areas 8-1, 8-2, the northern and central portions of 7 and a portion of 9 the daily limit is 10 pounds, including heads and tails, of all shrimp species combined. Shrimp heads can be removed, but the heads must be retained while in the field. Details, such as the required minimum mesh size and maximum fishing depths, are available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crabreg/.

  On the freshwater, the Skagit, Skykomish and Cascade rivers are open for spring chinook fishing. The Skagit River is open through July 9 to hatchery spring chinook retention from the Highway 530 bridge at Rockport to the Cascade River. The daily limit is two hatchery chinook at least 12 inches in length.

  On the Cascade River, anglers also can fish through July 9 from the mouth of the river to the Rockport-Cascade Road bridge, with a daily limit of two hatchery chinook at least 12 inches in length. On the Skykomish, hatchery springer fishing is open through the end of July from the Lewis Street Bridge in Monroe to the Wallace River. The Skykomish fishery also has a daily limit of two hatchery chinook at least 12 inches in length.

  On the Baker River, anglers will soon have a chance to catch sockeye. Beginning July 1, anglers can fish from the mouth of the river to the Highway 20 Bridge at Concrete. The daily limit is two sockeye at least 12 inches in length. Before heading out to the Baker River, check WDFW's 2006/2007 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for more details on the fishery.

  Freshwater anglers also can cast a line for trout on lakes and several of the region's rivers and streams throughout the region. Steelhead fishing on the Skykomish has been good, and anglers now have an opportunity to hook a steelhead at Reiter Ponds. That section of the river (1,500 feet upstream to 1,000 feet downstream of the Reiter Ponds Hatchery outlet) opened June 24 after the hatchery collected enough steelhead broodstock to meet egg-take goals. For more rules and details on the fishery check out WDFW's 2006/2007 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).

• Wildlife viewing: Birders have been flocking to Snoqualmie Falls recently to catch a glimpse of peregrine falcon fledglings. Throughout the past few weeks, people have been gathering at the observation point to view the young birds of prey. One visitor reporting to Tweeters birding website (http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/) spotted two fledglings perched on large rocks near the top of the falls. The birds then flew to the roof of a nearby lodge and remained there for about 40 minutes. "Swallows dived at the them the entire time," the birder noted. Built for speed, peregrine falcons have long pointed wings and a narrow tail, according to the Seattle Audubon Society (http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/index.aspx). The falcons nest on rocky cliffs, such as the steep wall of Snoqualmie Falls, and are often found near mountainous or rocky areas during breeding season. The agile falcons mostly prey on other birds, and are known for diving from above - sometimes at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour - and snatching birds out of the sky with their strong talons, according to the Seattle Audubon Society.

  Two pods of orcas - K and L - have been spotted recently in the San Juan Islands each with a baby. According to reports, K-pod's newborn is only a few weeks old, while L-pod's baby killer whale was probably born sometime during the spring. The two pods, along with J-pod, are part of a population of resident killer whales that reside in Puget Sound from early spring to late fall. Unlike transient killer whales, which occasionally wander into Puget Sound to feed on marine mammals, the resident population favors fish, such as salmon and steelhead. About 90 orcas make up Puget Sound's resident J, K and L pods, which are protected under the state and federal endangered species lists.

South Sound/Olympic Peninsula

• Fishing: Traditional summer fisheries will kick into high gear when annual crab and ocean-salmon seasons get under way in a number of areas next week. And what says "summer" than cracked crab and barbecued salmon?

  Eight areas of Puget Sound will open for crab fishing July 1, including marine areas 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 11 (Tacoma/Vashon) and 12 (Hood Canal) on the west side of the sound. Fishing in those areas will be open daily from July 1-8 before switching to a Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule.

  Three other areas that opened for crab fishing June 18 - including marine areas 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu) and 13 (south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) - will also remain open seven days per week.

  Rich Childers, WDFW shellfish policy coordinator, said a pre-season test fishery in Marine Area 6 found fewer crab than in previous years but also turned up some good news. "Those crab were huge," he said. "The males were running 8-9 inches, with very good, hard shell conditions."

  Like last year, the daily catch limit in Puget Sound is five male Dungeness crab with a shell width measuring at least 6¼ inches, plus six red rock crab of either sex with a shell width of at least 5 inches. All undersized crab, female Dungeness crab and all softshell crab of either sex must be returned to the water.

  To participate in the fishery, all crab fishers age 15 or older must obtain and carry a current Washington fishing license. In addition, all crabbers - regardless of age - must obtain and carry a catch record card and a crab licensing endorsement to fish for crab in Puget Sound. The crab endorsement costs $3 for crabbers age 15 and over, but is free to fishers under age 15. Anyone who fishes for crab without carrying a catch record card is subject to a fine of $80, Childers said.

  Those fishing in Hood Canal are also asked to report any Dungeness crab bearing a bright green tag on the underside of their shell. The tagging study is part of research to better understand crab movement in relation to low dissolved oxygen events in southern Hood Canal, said Therese Cain, a WDFW crab biologist.

  Sport or tribal fishers who catch a crab bearing the distinctive green tag are asked to call the department toll free at 866-859-8439 and report the tag number along with the date, location, and depth of capture.

  Fishers are free to keep tagged, legal-sized male crab during open periods, but are asked to report the tag information from those crab. However, tags should not be removed from crab - such as female, softshell or undersized crab - that cannot legally be retained and must be returned to the water, Cain said.

  Another much-anticipated summer fishery begins June 30 when waters off La Push and Neah Bay (marine areas 3 and 4) open for coastal salmon fishing. In both areas, the fishery is open Tuesday through Saturday with a two fish daily limit, only one of which may be a chinook. Minimum size for chinook is 24 inches and for coho, 16 inches. Wild coho must be released.

  Recreational ocean fishing quotas of 31,000 chinook and 73,200 coho salmon were approved last April by the federal agency that sets harvest limits in waters up to 200 miles offshore, according to Wendy Beeghley, WDFW fish biologist. Although those quotas are lower than last year's due to lower predicted salmon returns and increased conservation restrictions, Beeghley pointed to some positive signs for the upcoming season.

  "The ocean water temperatures have stayed lower this year than last, so that is encouraging," she said. "Also, I've heard some bottomfishing charter boats have caught and released both coho and chinook, so that is also a good sign."

  Sekiu/Pillar Point and eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca (marine areas 5, and 6) will be the next to open for salmon fishing on July 1. These waters are open daily, with a catch limit of two fish. Minimum size for chinook is 22 inches and for coho, 16 inches. Wild chinook, coho and chum must be released.

  Also opening July 1 for daily fishing is the area of Hood Canal (Marine Area 12) south of Ayock Point where the daily limit is four fish, two of which may be chinook. Anglers must release any chum salmon they catch. In South Puget Sound, the daily limit is two salmon and anglers must release all coho.

  The last ocean areas, Ilwaco and Westport (marine areas 1 and 2), open for salmon fishing July 3. In both areas, the fishery will be open Sunday through Thursday with a two fish daily limit, only one of which may be a chinook. Minimum size for chinook is 24 inches and for coho, 16 inches. Wild coho must be released.

  Salmon fishing continues in Marine Area 11 (Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) on a daily basis, 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 remains closed to salmon fishing until Aug. 12.

  For more information about rules and restrictions in specific areas, be sure to check the Fishing in Washington (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) pamphlet before going fishing.

  Meanwhile, the lingcod fishery has slowed down on the coast, according to Beeghley. "The charter boats out of Westport were doing pretty well with some boats limiting, but the average was just under one fish per person," she said. "It's typical for lingcod to drop off this time of year. It's better in March and April."

  However, the rockfish action has been consistently good in both Neah Bay and Westport, Beeghley said. Anglers have also been reeling in the rockfish off Port Angeles where catch reports showed one fish per two rods on June 24 and just over one fish per rod on June 25.

  It's been tough fishing on rivers feeding into Grays Harbor, said Rick Ereth, WDFW fish biologist. "We need this weather to break." Steelhead fishing on the Wynoochee River has been slow, although anglers have been catching a few chinook on the mid-to-lower Chehalis River, between Oakville and Elma, especially in drift boats, Ereth. He also noted some 31,000 summer steelhead have been planted in the upper Chehalis below Pe Ell and above Adna, so there's good numbers of fish in the river. "The waters are cooler there and the flows are skinny, since the channel's confined," he said. "Might be a good place to put in a pontoon."

  On the Olympic Peninsula, river fishing is also slow, reports WDFW Fish Biologist David Low. Fifty-nine anglers on the Hoh River last week pulled in just 12 spring chinook and four summer steelhead, according to creel checks. "The exceptionally warm days of late have resulted in very high water on the Hoh," said Low. He noted that a U.S. Geological Survey report showed the cubic feet per second discharge in the river rose from 1,700 to 2,600 between June 20 and 27. Similarly, Sol Duc River fishing has been disappointing. "A few fish are being caught higher in the system, but not many," Low said.

  The hot weather will continue to focus lake fishing activity on the warm water species, said Hal Michael, WDFW fish biologist. "Spiny rays such as crappie, bass, perch and sunfish like the warmer water and are more active and feeding now," he said. "What they lack in size, they make up for in numbers and aggressiveness."

• Wildlife viewing: The rare sight and song of a clay-colored sparrow have been rewarding birders who make the trek to a spot two miles west of Tenino. Visitors report watching it pop out of the Scotch Broom and "signing its heart out." These small birds are regularly seen in only a few spots in Eastern Washington, primarily around Spokane and in Okanogan and Ferry counties. However, this species was previously seen once before in the Olympia area in 1995. The most recent arrival has been sighted on Melville Street off Old Highway 99, in the extreme northwest corner of Rock Prairie, according to a posting on the Tweeters birdwatchers site (http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/).

  Another rare visitor to the westside was spotted in two locations in the region. In the past two weeks, sharp-eyed birders have identified western kingbirds at McChord Air Force Base in Pierce County and in Ocean Shores along Point Brown Avenue. The largest flycatcher in Washington, the western kingbird is only a rare breeder in Western Washington, with breeding confirmed in Pierce, Skagit and Whatcom counties. Migrants are occasionally seen along the outer coast during spring and fall.

  A hiker along Puget Creek in Pierce County was startled by what he realized was a barred owl. He came back days later to find it again farther up the trail, with many other birds scolding and buzzing about it. Meanwhile a Bainbridge Island resident reported to the Tweeters website that juvenile barred owls are now fledged and flying about there. She estimates the island is home to more than 50 owls. Barred owls are larger, but closely related to the similar-looking spotted owl. They are associated with the large trees of old-growth forests, but in Washington will also use mature, second growth forests.

Update: On June 29, fishery managers increased the projected size of the Columbia River summer chinook salmon run to 93,000 fish, thereby increasing catch guidelines and allowing the fishery in the lower river to remain open until further notice.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: A strong return of summer chinook salmon to the Columbia River has been producing unusually high catch rates below Bonneville Dam and raising questions about how much longer the fishery can remain open in the lower river. Anglers should also be aware that catch-and-keep sturgeon fishing in the Columbia River estuary ends the night of July 4 and that the upper Klickitat River opens to fishing for adult hatchery-reared spring chinook July 1.

  Just two weeks after the summer chinook fishery opened June 16, fishery managers increased this year's run size projection from 49,000 to a minimum of 70,000 fish based on counts to date at Bonneville Dam. Boat anglers averaged one summer chinook for every six rods and bank anglers scored one fish for every 10 rods during the first full week of fishing. Most of those fish - some weighing up to 40 or even 50 pounds - were taken by anglers fishing below Bonneville Dam, said Cindy LeFleur, WDFW Columbia River harvest manager.

  "These are the highest catch rates we've seen for summer chinook since reopening the fishery in 2002," LeFleur said. "Cold, high water in the river made for near-perfect conditions and the fish showed up in much higher numbers than expected."

  The downside is that - even after increasing catch guidelines in line with the higher run forecast - anglers are expected to hit their expanded catch guideline below Priest Rapids Dam within the next few days. LeFleur said fishery managers for Washington and Oregon will meet Thursday, June 29 to consider a new closing date for the summer chinook fishery in the lower river, initially scheduled to run through July. Since most of the fish have been taken below Bonneville Dam, the fishery between Bonneville Dam and Priest Rapids Dam may not be affected by any immediate closures.

  "Anglers planning to fish for summer chinook below Bonneville Dam after the end of June should make sure to check for any season updates before they head out," LeFleur said. "We hate to cut the fishery in the lower river short, but we need to move enough fish past Bonneville to meet escapement goals and provide fishing opportunities upriver."

  For season updates, anglers can call the WDFW Region 5 Fishing Hotline (360-906-6211, ext. 1010) or check for fishing rule changes on the WDFW website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).

  Along with summer chinook, anglers are also catching increasing numbers of summer-run hatchery steelhead and white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River. Steelhead fishing on the mainstem has been best from Longview downriver, and has also been picking up in the Lewis River and Cowlitz River - especially in the Blue Creek and Mission Bar areas. That stands to reason. At the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery, 845 fish have been counted so far this year, compared to 177 last year. At Merwin Dam on the North Fork of the Lewis River, 1,626 summer-run steelhead have been counted, compared to 1,288 last year.

  Meanwhile, charter boat anglers fishing out of Chinook and Ilwaco have been averaging nearly 0.75 legal-sized sturgeon per rod, while private boaters have been taking home one legal sized fish for every three rods. Sturgeon fishing below the Wauna powerline is scheduled to close for a catch assessment at the end of the day July 4, but could reopen later in the month if more fish can be taken within the quota, said Brad James, a WDFW fish biologist.

  Anglers have also been averaging nearly one legal-sized sturgeon upriver in the Bonneville Pool, along with some summer chinook salmon. June 30 is the last day to fish for spring chinook in Wind River and Drano Lake, although anglers can still fish for hatchery steelhead in the lake and on Wind River downstream of a point 400 feet below Shipherd Falls.

  Summer chinook salmon are also beginning to move into the upper Columbia River, where salmon fishing opens July 1 between Priest Rapids and Chief Joseph dams. In addition, anglers will also be able to fish for adult hatchery-reared spring chinook salmon on the upper Klickitat River from July 1-31, now that Klickitat Salmon Hatchery is assured of meeting its escapement goal. So far this year, the salmon fishery on the upper river has been limited to jacks, between 12 and 24 inches long.

  "The upper Klickitat is one of the few areas in the entire Columbia River Basin where anglers can fish for spring chinook salmon in a glacier-fed white-water stream," said WDFW fish biologist John Weinheimer. "It's perfect for fishing in a drift boat."

  Starting July 1, anglers will be able to catch and retain adult hatchery-reared spring chinook salmon from boundary markers just below the salmon hatchery downriver to 400 feet above the No. 5 Fishway. The fishway is located about one-half mile upstream from Fisher Hill Bridge and about 2½ miles upstream from the river mouth. The daily limit for salmon will be six fish, no more than two of which can be adults. Anglers must release any salmon less than 12 inches long, and any salmon not clearly marked as a hatchery fish by a clipped adipose fin and a healed scar.

  Anglers fishing in the John Day Pool have been taking home an average of one walleye and four bass per rod, while those fishing just below Bonneville Dam have been averaging seven shad apiece. Mayfield lake has been producing some nice rainbows, while bank anglers fishing Riffe Lake have been catching a mixture of rainbows, landlocked coho, chinook and steelhead in the main lake and at the fishing bridge.

  Goose Lake was recently planted with 3,600 cutthroat and 3,000 brown trout weighing up to a pound apiece, giving anglers a good excuse to head to the high country.

• Hunting: WDFW is accepting public comments on draft management plans for both the Mount St. Helens elk herd and the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area through July 15. The draft plan for the elk herd outlines proposed strategies for managing the state's largest elk herd, which includes an estimated 13,000 animals in four counties. The draft plan for the wildlife area sets out future management strategies for 2,744 acres managed primarily as an elk winter range below the western slope of Mount St. Helens. Both plans are scheduled for completion before the coming winter, when harsh conditions take the heaviest toll on elk.

  The draft elk herd management plan is available on the department's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/elk/sthelens.htm. The draft plan for the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/sthelens/manage.htm. Hard copies of both draft plans can also be obtained through the mail by contacting the department at Wildlife Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

• Wildlife viewing: The fish window at Bonneville Dam is still the best show in the region for anyone interested in fish migration up the Columbia River. More than 100,000 shad a day are currently moving up the fish ladder, occasionally eclipsed by summer chinook salmon - sometimes known as "June hogs" - weighing 20, 30, 40 even 50 pounds. Summer steelhead can also be seen in increasing numbers, along with eel-like lamprey pressing against the viewing glass with their open-stretched mouths. To get there, take Washington State Highway 14 east to Milepost 40 (about 5 miles from Stevenson) and turn into the Bonneville Dam visitor center. The visitor center is the glass building at the end of the powerhouse.

  The high-pitched song of a bay-breasted warbler continues to draw birders to a dusty farm road in southern Lewis County. Rarely seen in Washington state, bay-breasted warblers spend most of their time in northeastern Canada, wintering in central America. Adult males, like the one spotted in Lewis County, are about five inches long, with a black face, a brown crown and upper breast, a yellowish neck patch and belly, and two white wing bars. "The bird was viewed and heard singing off and on, and would disappear and reappear to treetops, where it was observed the best," one observer told Tweeters. To find it, birders suggest driving eastbound on State Route 504 or 505 to farm road 1900, then turning north onto farm road 1901 as far as the intersection with farm road 1909. Several people have reported seeing the bird at that intersection. They all advise keeping an eye pealed for logging trucks.

Eastern Washington:

• Fishing: Summertime trout fishing is not a contradiction in terms, says WDFW district fish biologist Chris Donley. "Rainbows and cutthroats can still be found in the same places as in spring, but you have to fish in the early morning or late evening," he said. "They just won't be biting in the heat of the day now, and it's not very fun to sit in a boat or on a dock and bake in the sun without a bite."

  Donley said there are plenty of trout left to catch throughout the central counties, but the best are still Badger and Williams lakes in Spokane County, Fishtrap Lake in Lincoln County, and Rock Lake in Whitman County. Rock Lake also has largemouth bass and brown trout. Up north, several trout waters with public campgrounds are just the thing for Fourth of July holiday get-togethers, notably Ferry County's Ellen Lake, Stevens County's Pierre Lake, and Pend Oreille County's Sullivan Lake.

  Although WDFW has no creel data for Lake Roosevelt yet, kokanee should be showing in catches from Keller Ferry on up. As summer air and surface water temperatures rise, fishers should take care to keep their catches on ice immediately to preserve them for dinner. Also, remember that open fires outside of designated areas and all fireworks are prohibited on WDFW water access sites.

• Wildlife viewing: For many wildlife species, summer is prime time for gathering food and rearing their young, which can provide some excellent viewing opportunities. Even in the heat of the day, whitetail and mule deer does can often be seen browsing to keep up with feeding demands of fawns, which are still mostly kept out-of-sight. Bucks with growing antlers in velvet are also busily feeding, although more likely seen at dawn and dusk.

  Cheeping families of bluebirds, nuthatches, chickadees, woodpeckers, swallows and other species that use nestboxes are often more easily heard than seen, although adult birds often reveal themselves as they come and go with their beaks stuffed with insects. Ducks, geese, and other waterfowl have young in tow on many waterways across the region. However, ground-nesting birds including quail, pheasant, and forest grouse may not be faring as well, due to heavy rains and cool temperatures earlier in the month; adult birds of these species are more likely to be seen without broods, but some will re-nest. Coyote pups are trying out their voices on warm summer evenings. Current warm weather also makes snakes, including rattlers in some areas, more active and visible.

  While enjoying the diversity of the region's wildlife, remember to respect their space, don't try to approach them, and never feed them. All wildlife can be potentially dangerous, especially if young animals are with protective parents. Watch where you walk, wear boots, and use a walking stick in rocky or densely vegetated snake habitat. Remember, too, that open fires outside of designated areas and all fireworks are prohibited on WDFW water access sites, wildlife areas and many other public lands.

North Central Washington:

• Fishing: July 1 is the start of the summer chinook salmon fishery on the upper Columbia River near Brewster. WDFW district fish biologist Bob Jateff notes that this year's season opens two weeks earlier than last. "Initially the open area will be the same as last year from the Highway 173 Bridge in Brewster to the Highway 17 Bridge just below Chief Joseph Dam," he said. "The Okanogan River from the mouth to the first Highway 97 Bridge will also open July 1." Jateff noted that additional areas may open as the season progresses, so anglers should check the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm for fishing-rule changes.

  Jateff also reminds salmon fishers that a research project on live salmon capture methods will get under way right after the Fourth of July holiday. "Watch for the bright orange fish research signs on buoys attached to nets in the water and avoid boating over them - especially near the mouth of the Okanogan River," he said. "The research will only be under way in that area for a couple of weeks before trap sets are moved upriver, but it's important that the crews get their work done so we can ultimately improve this fishery." The research project, conducted in cooperation with the Colville Confederated Tribes, will help identify wild broodstock sources for the Tribes' Chief Joseph Fish Hatchery, scheduled to begin production of more chinook for all anglers by 2011. For more information on the research, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=jun2606b on the WDFW website.

  The Methow River trout fishery should start to pick up in July as the rivers start to recede and river access improves, Jateff says. Anglers should check the fishing rules pamphlet and access sites for open fishing areas as well as areas that are closed. "This year eight miles of river - from Gold Creek to the first bridge below the town of Methow - was added to the fishery," he said. Catch-and-release and selective gear rules are in effect for sections of the Methow, Chewuch and Twisp rivers open to fishing.

  Jateff also noted that several lakes are still producing nice catches of rainbow trout, including Fish Lake on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, both Conconully Lakes, and Wannacut Lake near Oroville. "For those interested in bluegills and crappie, Leader Lake in the Omak area continues to provide good catch rates that should hold up throughout the summer," he said.

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

• Wildlife viewing: From families of mountain bluebirds and mule deer in the Okanogan to duck and goose broods in the Columbia Basin, there's lots to enjoy throughout the region. However, WDFW officials remind visitors - especially those headed north to Okanogan County - to be alert and aware to avoid problems with black bears or cougars.

  "Proper sanitation in bear country is more important than ever to avoid conflicts," said WDFW wildlife biologist Scott Fitkin. That is good advice for area residents as well as visitors arriving in the area to camp or hike. Fitkin advises putting camp garbage in bear-proof containers where available, or packing it out in double plastic bags. Don't burn or bury it. At home, keep trash cans in a secure place. Reduce odors by storing meat and other food in vehicles, or away from your camp in a pack suspended from a tree 10 feet above the ground and four feet out from the trunk. Avoid cooking smelly or greasy foods like bacon, don't sleep in your cooking clothes and keep sleeping bags and tents free of food odors. Actual encounters with cougars are rare, but to avoid problems, Fitkin advises hiking and camping in groups. Keep small children close, both at home and in camp, especially near dawn and dusk when cougars are most active. Leave pets confined safely at home as they may attract cougars or bears. Keep a clean camp to avoid attracting small mammals that may in turn attract cougars.

  WDFW officials also remind wildlife watchers and others spending time outdoors that open fires outside of designated areas and all fireworks are prohibited on WDFW water access sites, wildlife areas and many other public lands.

South Central Washington:

• Fishing: WDFW district fish biologist Eric Anderson reports good fishing for triploid and catchable-size rainbow trout at Clear Lake and kokanee at Rimrock Lake in Yakima County. "But anglers need to pay attention to fishing rules on the the North Fork of the Tieton River, which connects these two lakes, because protected, threatened bull trout are in the area," he said. "Some anglers have been catching and keeping bull trout, which makes them subject to stiff fines and penalties under the Endangered Species Act." Anderson said anglers must learn how to identify bull trout and release them unharmed if they inadvertently catch them.

  "This is the time of year that bull trout will slowly start migrating to their spawning areas, so they're especially vulnerable now," said Anderson, noting that bull trout tend to be more aggressive and grow to larger size than other native trout like rainbow and cutthroat. They're commonly confused with the non-native eastern brook trout, especially since they are found in many of the same areas of the Yakima basin, he said. An easy way to tell the difference, Anderson said, is that 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 advises. "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 also 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.

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

• Wildlife viewing: Several WDFW wildlife areas - including Oak Creek and Wenas wildlife areas in Yakima County and Colockum Wildlife Area in Kittitas County - offer an abundance of wildlife viewing and other recreational opportunities, but at this time of year they also need special care by visitors. Wildfire danger grows along with the vegetation and heat, warns Wenas Wildlife Area assistant manager Jody Taylor. "Open camp fires outside of designated areas and all fireworks are prohibited on our areas," Taylor said, "but fires get started every year by target shooters, smokers and even just parking warm motor vehicles on dry vegetation. We need everyone to be especially careful this year since our vegetation is extra lush from good snow pack and heavy rains."

  Local birders, who monitor the Vredenburgh Bluebird Nestbox Trail in Kittitas County north of Ellensburg, report sighting a total of 77 fledglings, 123 nestlings, and 52 eggs. Year-to-date fledgling counts include 100 western bluebirds, 42 mountain bluebirds, 6 mountain chickadees, 5 white-breasted nuthatches, and 5 house finches. In addition, house wrens have made nesting efforts in 14 boxes and non-native English sparrows have taken over three boxes. The nestbox trail, now in its 25th year, is located at the end of the pavement on North Wenas Road, about six miles beyond Wenas Lake, stretching 14 miles along the gravel road to the intersection of Durr and Umtanum roads.

  For families looking for quick and easy access to a picnicking and wildlife viewing spot, WDFW's I-82 Wildlife Area may be the ticket. The area is actually 17 parcels of property along the Yakima River and Interstate Highway 82 from Union Gap to the Zillah interchange, known most for its seven man-made fishing ponds and three boat launches. The riparian habitat along the river, sloughs, and ponds offers excellent nesting and brooding cover for ducks, geese, herons, shorebirds, pheasant, quail, red-winged blackbirds and many other songbirds. It's also possible to spot deer, coyotes and other critters. Wherever you go to watch wildlife, be careful about food and fire: Keep food and garbage secured to avoid attracting wild animals into your picnic site, carefully use camp stoves rather than open fires, and leave the fireworks at home.