Anglers fishing the lower Columbia River have begun to encounter the first wave of "summer hogs," hefty chinook salmon that can weigh 40 pounds or more. Although smaller spring chinook still make up the bulk of the catch, the bright summer-run fish are clearly gaining in numbers.

"One angler fishing in the Vancouver area reportedly caught and released a fish weighing in the mid-40s," said Steve Vigg, a fishery manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "Summer-run chinook and steelhead are clearly moving into the river."

With summer just a few days away, anglers can look forward to a new season of fishing opportunities. So while halibut and lingcod fishing are about to close in a number of areas, a variety of other options - from crab fishing in Puget Sound to salmon fishing off the coast - are just about to open up.

Below is a quick rundown of upcoming fishing opportunities through July 4. As always, anglers are strongly advised to check WDFW's Fishing in Washington rule pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) and the Fishing Hotline (360-902-2500) for area-specific regulations before heading out.

• June 18: Sport crabbing opens seven days per week in marine areas 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu) and 13 (south Puget Sound).

• June 19, 21, 23: Halibut fishing reopens in marine areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay). Fishing must take place shoreward of 30 fathoms June 19 and 21.

• June 20-23: The fishery for spot shrimp reopens in the southern portion of Marine Area 7 near the San Juan Islands.

• June 23: Hood Canal opens for one more day of shrimp fishing, including spot shrimp, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• June 27: Sport crabbing reopens in Marine Area 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), Wednesdays through Saturdays only.

• July 1: Ocean salmon fishing opens seven days per week off Ilwaco (Marine Area 1) and Sundays through Thursdays off Westport (Marine Area 2). Inside waters opening for salmon fishing July 1 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).

• July 3: Ocean salmon seasons get under way off LaPush (Marine Area 3) and Neah Bay (Marine Area 4) on a Tuesday-through-Saturday schedule.

• July 4: Sport crabbing opens Wednesday through Saturday in 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).

Anglers should also note that lingcod fishing closes June 15 throughout Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In addition, halibut fishing closes in most areas of Puget Sound (marine areas 6-11 and 13) on June 16.

For more information about fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities, see the regional reports below.

North Puget Sound

• Fishing: As summer approaches, anglers have their pick of several different saltwater and freshwater fishing opportunities. Shrimp fisheries are open in the region, and a few days remain to hook lingcod and halibut. In some rivers, fisheries are open for hatchery chinook salmon, which are showing up in greater numbers.

  Spring chinook salmon fishing on the Skagit and Cascade rivers is going strong. "Overall, catch rates are up this year and anglers are doing really well for springers on both rivers," said Brett Barkdull, a WDFW fish biologist.

  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.

  Out on the saltwater, the Tulalip Bay "bubble" salmon fishery started slow, but the catch rate is expected to pick up in the coming weeks, said Steve Thiesfeld, another WDFW fish biologist. "The bubble always seems to get off to a slow start," Thiesfeld said. "But the fishery does tend to pick up later in June and in early July, and that could be the case again this year."

  Thiesfeld reminds anglers that the bubble fishery is open each week from Friday through noon Monday and runs through Sept. 24, except for a one-day closure on June 23. There is a two-salmon daily limit and chinook must be 22 inches in length to retain.

  "The fishery might be slow now, but it's a great opportunity for anglers to get their boat on the water and get back into the swing of things before other marine areas open for salmon," Thiesfeld said.

  Meanwhile, anglers can participate in the catch-and-release fishery in the northern portion of Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton). Fishing is allowed north of a line from Point Monroe to Meadow Point. Handling rules are in effect for this fishery and single-point barbless hooks are required.

  Lingcod and halibut fisheries in the region are winding down. The lingcod season closes June 15, while the halibut fishery ends June 16. During the lingcod hook-and-line season, there's a one-fish daily limit for lings, which must be a minimum size of 26 inches and a maximum size of 40 inches. For halibut, there's a daily limit of one fish and no minimum size limit.

  While out on Puget Sound, why not drop a pot? The spot shrimp fishery in the southern portion of Marine Area 7 will re-open June 20 and run through June 23. Elsewhere, coonstripe and pink shrimp fisheries are under way in marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner), 9 (Admiralty Inlet) 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.

  Crab fishing is just around the corner. The fishery opens July 4 in marine areas 8-1, 8-2, 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.

  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).

• Hunting: Hunters are encouraged to apply for special fall hunting permits as early as possible before the June 28 deadline. Application instructions and details on permit hunts for deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep, and turkey are in the 2007 Big Game Hunting Rules pamphlet, available at WDFW offices, license vendors, and at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm. All applications must be submitted via a toll-free telephone number (1-877-945-3492) or the website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

  Hunters should apply early to avoid potential delays or other complications with submissions during the final days and hours of the application period, said Dave Ware, WDFW game division manager.

  "We strongly encourage hunters to apply for these special permits as early as they can," Ware said. "It's best not to wait until the eleventh hour, when the system can become busy and complications can occur."

• Wildlife viewing: Birders have recently reported several sightings of Lazuli Buntings in the region. While visiting the Kent Ponds, one birder saw at least four males along a powerline path. Farther north, a birder traveling around the town of Snohomish spotted Lazulis at three separate locations. Lazulis are similar to western bluebirds, but smaller. Often heard singing, the young males develop individual songs early on that they sing for the rest of their lives. Lazuli Buntings are often found in eastern Washington, but can be seen west of the Cascades at Fort Lewis, in the Vancouver area of Clark County, along the Skagit and Cowlitz rivers, and on the Muckleshoot prairies near Enumclaw. "A great year for Lazulis," the Snohomish birder noted on Tweeters birding website (http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/).

  Elsewhere, a couple of birders spotted two peregrine falcons perched in a tree outside their home in Snoqualmie. Built for speed, peregrine falcons have long pointed wings and a narrow tail. 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.

South Sound/Olympic Peninsula

• Fishing: Summer fishing seasons for crab and salmon are coming up fast, but sport fishers still have a chance to catch late-season halibut on the north coast and shrimp in a number of areas of Puget Sound, including Hood Canal. Salmon anglers have been doing fairly well in Marine Area 11 (Tacoma), but fishing is still slow for steelhead and trout in coastal rivers.

  Recreational halibut anglers will get three more days of fishing off the north coast in June - and possibly a fourth - if sufficient quota remains. Fishing in marine areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) will be open June 19, June 21 and June 23. On the first two dates - June 19 and 21 - fishing must take place shoreward of the 30-fathom line.

  "This is the first time we've had a nearshore fishery, so we don't know how much halibut will be caught," said Carol Henry, WDFW fish biologist. "We expect more people out on the water June 23, when fishing is open on all waters on the north coast." If sufficient quota remains after that day, the fishery may reopen toward the end of June.

  Coordinates for the 30-fathom line are included in the 2007-08 Fishing in Washington pamphlet, available online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/creel/halibut/.

  While halibut fishing will close June 16 from Port Angeles to Puget Sound (marine areas 6-11, 13), anglers will still be able to fish five days a week in Marine Area 5 (Seiku) week through Aug. 3. Jeromy Lauffman of Shelton caught an 85-pound halibut at the 12th annual Sekiu Halibut Derby over the June 9 weekend, winning the $10-per-pound purse. More than 220 people signed up for the event and a WDFW creel check showed one halibut for every 3.5 rods. The daily limit for halibut is one fish.

  Lingcod fishing closes June 15 throughout Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but remains open through mid-October on the coast.

  Those not fishing for halibut June 23, can travel south for an extra day of shrimp fishing in Hood Canal. According to Therese Cain, WDFW shellfish biologist, sufficient quota remains to extend the shrimp season one more day. All species of shrimp, including spot shrimp, can be fished. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  Shrimp fishing remains open daily in marine areas 4, 5, 6 and 13, while fishing for non-spot shrimp is under way in Marine Area 11. All spot shrimp caught in that area must be released.

  Dungeness crab fishing starts June 18 in three marine areas, with more to follow. Here's the summer line-up:

  • Marine Areas 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu) and 13 (south of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) will be open June 18 through Jan. 2, 2008, seven days a week.

  • Marine Area 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca) will be open June 27 through Sept. 3, Wednesdays through Saturdays, plus Labor Day weekend.

  • Marine Areas 11 and 12, (Tacoma/Vashon and Hood Canal) will be open July 4 through Sept. 3, Wednesdays through Saturdays, plus Labor Day weekend.

  Crab fishers should 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).

  The new catch record cards are available from license dealers throughout the state. Fishers who have already purchased a 2007 Puget Sound crab endorsement will receive their cards by mail before the first opening on June 18. Those who have changed their address since purchasing their endorsement should contact WDFW at (360) 902-2464 to make sure they get their cards. 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.

  Another much-anticipated fishery begins in July when a number of areas in Puget Sound and on the coast open for salmon fishing. Starting July 1, salmon fishing will open off Westport and Ilwaco (marine areas 1 and 2), as well as Sekiu/Pillar Point, the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca and Hood Canal (marine areas 5, 6 and 12). Salmon fisheries off, Neah Bay and La Push (marine areas 3 and 4) will get under way July 3.

  Salmon anglers had a fair opening-day outing June 1 in Marine Area 11 (Vashon Island/Tacoma), with one fish for about every seven rods. "Some folks are doing pretty well, but we expect better results when the main run comes in about mid-July," said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. 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.

  Thiesfeld reminds anglers that selective fishing rules are in effect this year, requiring anglers to use single, barbless hooks and release any wild chinook. "Even with the new rules, anglers are catching about the same number of fish as last year, which is good," he said. WDFW creel checks in the area showed one fish for every 7.5 rods.

  He also noted anglers will have an opportunity to take advantage of an abundant return of pink salmon this year. About 3.3 million pink salmon are expected to come back to Puget Sound streams, nearly 1.3 million more fish than forecast in 2005. Pinks return every other year.

  Details on rules and regulations are in the 2007-08 Fishing in Washington pamphlet, or online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm.

  Meanwhile, steelhead and trout fishing in area rivers, which opened June 1, has been slow in starting up, according to Rick Ereth, WDFW fish biologist. "Even though the fish are there, not much is going on." According to Ereth, people are getting some steelhead in the lower Wynoochee, and anglers might want to check out their favorite stretches of the Humptulips. "But right now you have to put the time in to get a bite," Ereth said. "The longer your lure or bait is in the water, the better your chances. In my experience, the fishing really gets going in July and August."

  Ereth suggests giving small-stream cutthroat fishing a try or - in larger rivers - exploring pockets of woody debris pockets and brushy corners. "Check out the Chehalis river sloughs from Porter to Oakville that connect to the main river." For summer hatchery steelhead, Ereth suggests fishing from the town of Pe Ell downstream to the confluence with South Fork Chehalis. "This is also a good time to explore new waters and scout for fishing later in the season."

• Hunting: Hunters are encouraged to apply for special fall hunting permits as early as possible before the June 28 deadline. Application instructions and details on permit hunts for deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep, and turkey are in the 2007 Big Game Hunting Rules pamphlet, available at WDFW offices, license vendors, and at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm. All applications must be submitted via a toll-free telephone number (1-877-945-3492) or the website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

  Hunters should apply early to avoid potential delays or other complications with submissions during the final days and hours of the application period, said Dave Ware, WDFW game division manager.

  "We strongly encourage hunters to apply for these special permits as early as they can," Ware said. "It's best not to wait until the eleventh hour, when the system can become busy and complications can occur."

• Wildlife viewing: People taking in the sights of the South Sound might want to keep an eye out for three newly hatched peregrine falcon chicks on Olympia's waterfront. For the fifth year in a row, a pair of falcons has returned to nest on top of a 175-foot crane at the downtown port. The chicks - two males and one female - hatched in early May and should emerge from their nest box later in June.

  The peregrine is the fastest bird in the world and can reach up to 200 miles as it dives to snag its prey out of the air. They usually nest on cliffs near water, but a few have settled on structures in urban settings. The first chick reared in Olympia's port was later found as a young adult at the Ballard Bridge in Seattle.

  Peregrines were severely endangered in the mid-20th century, mostly due to the pesticide DDT. With the ban of DDT in the United States, the falcons have begun to recover. In 1980 there were only four breeding pairs in Washington. By 2000, 56 pairs were counted and even though they're still highly vulnerable, the population continues to increase.

  Meanwhile, recent reports of sick or dead birds at backyard feeders have prompted WDFW to recommend that people temporarily discontinue bird feeding, or take extra steps to maintain feeders. Laboratory analysis of bird carcasses has confirmed salmonellosis, a common and usually fatal bird disease caused by the salmonella bacteria. The disease afflicts species such as finches, grosbeaks and pine siskins that flock together in large numbers at feeders and transmit the disease through droppings

  Those with feeders may want to stop backyard bird feeding for at least a few weeks, if not for the remainder of the summer, to encourage birds to disperse and forage naturally. Bird enthusiasts who choose to continue feeding should reduce the number of feeders they maintain and spread them out, use feeders that accommodate fewer birds (using tubes rather than platforms), and clean feeders daily with a 1-to-10 solution of chlorine bleach and warm water. Reports of dead birds in Washington can be made to the Dead Bird Reports line, 1-800-606-8768.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: Spring chinook season ends June 15 on the Columbia River, but the summer chinook fishery picks up the next day, June 16. Anglers are already starting to reel in hefty "summer hogs" - some running 30 to 40 pounds - in the lower river, and springers remain fair game after the transition to summer rules. Meanwhile, charter boat anglers fishing for sturgeon out of Chinook and Ilwaco have been averaging two fish for every three rods.

  The summer salmon-fishing rules that take effect June 16 allow Columbia River anglers to retain both marked and unmarked chinook from Rocky Point/Tongue Point all the way upriver to Priest Rapids Dam. But anglers should bear in mind that chinook-retention rules change again July 1 in the lower river, so they should check the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) in planning a trip.

  "It's all part of the transition between the spring fishery and the summer fishery," said Steve Vigg, a WDFW fishery manager. "We're seeing that transition on the water, too. One angler fishing in the Vancouver area reportedly caught and released a fish weighing in the mid-40s."

  Besides their size, summer chinook salmon bound for the upper Columbia basin can be distinguished from springers by their bright chrome coloring, Vigg said. Reopened in 2002 after being closed for nearly three decades, the summer chinook fishery is "a real success story and a great addition to the summer fishing line-up," he said.

  While summer chinook have been showing up in anglers' creels with increasing regularity, spring chinook still made up the majority of the catch through June 13. Creel surveys conducted the previous week found that the 664 anglers surveyed below Bonneville Dam had caught 66 adult chinook salmon along with 48 summer-run steelhead.

  Including fish released, boat anglers averaged one adult chinook for every 7.8 rods while bank anglers averaged one chinook for every 10.8 rods. Most adult chinook were caught upstream from the Kalama River, whereas most of the steelhead were taken downstream from Longview.

  The catch limit for summer steelhead on the Cowlitz River is now six fish per day, and anglers are already starting to see some action. Thirty-one anglers fishing near Blue Creek reported catching 12 fish during the week ending June 10. While the catch limit for chinook salmon on the Cowlitz River is two fish per day, few have been turning up in recent creel surveys. Hatchery steelhead were also the main attraction at the Lewis River through the second weekend in June.

  Anglers should be aware that, beginning June 16, night closure and non-buoyant lure restrictions are in effect on the Kalama River from the mouth to the lower salmon hatchery intake pipe. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

  Above Bonneville Dam, anglers should start seeing increasing numbers of both summer chinook salmon and summer steelhead by late June, Vigg said. "Summer fishing really takes off above Bonneville in July," he said. Anglers are still catching spring chinook in The Dalles Pool, mostly between river miles 215-216.

  Meanwhile, sturgeon fishing is already good and getting better in the Columbia River estuary. Anglers chartering boats out of Chinook and Ilwaco during the week ending June 10 averaged two-thirds of a fish per rod while private boaters averaged one fish for every four rods. Those fishing from the Deep River/Knappton ramps and the stretch between Knappton and Fort Columbia averaged better than half a legal-sized fish per rod.

  During a June 10 flyover, fishery managers counted 469 private sturgeon boats, 24 charters and about a hundred bank anglers fishing below Bonneville Dam - the majority in the estuary. Few fish were sampled between the Wauna Powerlines and Marker 85, and sturgeon fishing is now closed from Bonneville Dam upriver to John Day Dam.

  Boat anglers targeting shad from Vancouver upriver to Bonneville Dam have been averaging 5.8 shad per rod. Bank anglers fishing the area from Washougal to just below the dam averaged 2.6 shad per rod. Those catch rates are based on surveys of 38 shad boat and 247 bank anglers during the week ending June 10.

  Boat anglers fishing the John Day Pool averaged 1.3 walleye and nearly four bass that week. Bank and boat anglers fishing the Bonneville Pool also caught some bass, although no effort was observed for walleye.

  A number of rivers and creeks opened for trout fishing June 1. A number of waters around the region - including Canyon Creek in Clark County, Spring Creek in Klickitat County and Little White Salmon River in Skamania County - have been planted with catchable-sized rainbow trout. Other anglers may prefer rivers that are managed for wild trout, such as the Big White Salmon River and the north fork of the Lewis River.

• Hunting: Hunters are encouraged to apply for special fall hunting permits as early as possible before the June 28 deadline. Application instructions and details on permit hunts for deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep, and turkey are in the 2007 Big Game Hunting Rules pamphlet, available at WDFW offices, license vendors, and at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm. All applications must be submitted via a toll-free telephone number (1-877-945-3492) or the website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

  Hunters should apply early to avoid potential delays or other complications with submissions during the final days and hours of the application period, said Dave Ware, WDFW game division manager. "We strongly encourage hunters to apply for these special permits as early as they can," Ware said. "It's best not to wait until the eleventh hour, when the system can become busy and complications can occur."

• Wildlife viewing: The second half of June is a great time to view wildlife throughout the region, thanks to ample daylight hours and plenty of species in the area. One birder who reported his sightings to the Tweeters birding network (http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/) recently counted 63 species of birds - seen and heard - during a seven-hour visit to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Standouts included two blue-winged teal drakes and a dozen yellow-headed blackbirds on South Quigley Lake, two eared grebe on Rest Lake and a greater yellowlegs on Schwartz Lake.

  Birders with backyard birdfeeders should be aware that a rash of salmonellosis has been taking an increasing toll on birds in many parts of the state. While no cases have been confirmed in southwest Washington, the bacteria has been linked to nearly four dozen reports of dead birds, the majority between Yelm and the Canadian border.

  For that reason, WDFW is recommending that people either temporarily discontinue bird feeding or take extra steps to maintain feeders. "Salmonellosis is probably the most common avian disease at feeders in Washington," said WDFW veterinarian Kristin Mansfield. "The disease afflicts species such as finches, grosbeaks and pine siskins that flock together in large numbers at feeders and transmit the disease through droppings."

  The first indication of the disease is often a seemingly tame bird on or near a feeder, Mansfield said. "The birds become very lethargic, fluff out their feathers, and are easy to approach," she said, "but there is very little people can do to treat them."

  It's possible, although uncommon, for people to be become sick from the salmonella bacteria through direct contact with infected birds, bird droppings, or through pet cats that catch sick birds. People who handle birds, bird feeders or bird baths should wear gloves and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards, Mansfield said.

  Birders who choose to continue feeding should reduce the number of feeders they maintain, use feeders that accommodate fewer birds and clean feeders daily with a 1-to-10 solution of chlorine bleach and warm water, she said. Reports of dead birds in Washington can be made to the Dead Bird Reports line, 1-800-606-8768.

Eastern Washington:

• Fishing: Chris Donley, WDFW district fish biologist in Spokane, says the region's many trout-stocked lakes are still a good bet, especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon, between rainstorms. "Fly-fishing for cutthroat and rainbows at Amber Lake is still good, but you've got to fish deeper now, 15 to 20 feet deep with wet lines," he said.

  Perch, crappie and bluegill have been moving into deeper water and providing some action at several waters, including Spokane County's Clear, Eloika, Long and Silver lakes. Eloika Lake is also good for largemouth bass fishing. Bonnie Lake, off Rock Creek near the Spokane-Whitman county line, has good crappie and bass fishing, but access can be an issue. To get there, anglers must travel by small boat up a creek channel. Donley urged anglers to respect the private property surrounding the lake.

  The harvest of tiger muskies in Curlew Lake in Ferry County is prohibited from June 13 through July 20 while WDFW biologists conduct a study on the fish.

  Snake River bass fishing is picking up as trout fishing slows. So far, the Snake River hatchery chinook salmon fishery remains open through the end of the month from Texas Rapids boat launch upstream to the Corps of Engineers boat launch a mile upstream of Little Goose Dam on the south bank.

• Hunting: June 28 is the deadline to apply for special hunting permits listed in the 2007 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet (available at WDFW offices, license vendors and at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm).

• Wildlife viewing: June is the season of wandering moose in this region. Traditionally, cow moose seem to move closer to waterways to give birth to calves this time of year, said Woody Myers, WDFW wildlife biologist. "The yearlings or two-year-olds that have been following mom around are suddenly left to make it on their own," he said. "And if they find themselves in an urban or suburban setting, sometimes that means trouble." WDFW staff have already responded to several moose situations in and around Spokane, either escorting the animals out of town, or tranquilizing and re-locating them. "They're interesting animals to watch come through your neighborhood," Myers said. "But people should keep dogs confined and kids under control to avoid complicating moose problems."

  Black bear problems continue throughout the north end of the region - a good reminder to both outdoor recreationists and rural residents to take preventive action. Bears are most often drawn to unsecured garbage at rural residences or unsecured food in campgrounds, so people should keep attractants out of reach. For more on black bears, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/blkbear/blkbear.htm.

North Central Washington:

• Fishing: Chinook salmon fishing on the Icicle River in Chelan County continues with a daily catch limit of two salmon, minimum size 12 inches. The river is open from the closure signs 800 feet upstream of the mouth to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery rack. Art Viola, WDFW Chelan district fish biologist in Cashmere, said depending on catch rates, the season could remain open through July. Anglers are reminded that a night closure and non-buoyant lure restrictions are in effect.

  Leader Lake in Okanogan County continues to produce large catches of bluegill and crappie. However, the rivers have been running too high for good fishing.

  Jeff Korth, WDFW Columbia Basin district fish biologist, said walleye fishing has been slow recently at Potholes Reservoir and Moses Lake. "The fish are there and when the bite has been on, everyone gets fish," he said. "Be prepared to keep trying different means of enticing fish to grab the bait. Water temperatures are still in the mid- to high 60's, so there's plenty of time to get out there before things warm up too much."

• Hunting: June 28 is the deadline to apply for special hunting permits listed in the 2007 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet (available at WDFW offices, license vendors and at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm).

• Wildlife viewing: Butterfly watching is in full swing, especially at WDFW's Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in Okanogan County. The 14,000-acre area, with its rich diversity of habitat and plant types, has at least 75 confirmed species of butterflies and another 30 or 40 highly probable species in the area. Swallowtails, whites, hairstreaks, blues, true brushfoots and spread-wing skippers are the earliest spotted, with fritillaries, satyrs and others seen as summer advances. Now that flooding has subsided and roads are open, it's a good time to plan a butterfly trip to the Sinlahekin. See http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/sinlahekin/index.htm for more information, including a butterfly checklist.

  Black bear and cougar problems continue throughout the north end of the region - a good reminder to both outdoor recreationists and rural residents to take preventive action. Bears are most often drawn to unsecured garbage at rural residences or unsecured food in campgrounds, so people should keep those attractants out of reach. See http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/blkbear/blkbear.htm for more on black bears. Cougars are usually drawn to concentrations of deer and other natural prey, but will sometimes help themselves to easy meals of free-ranging domestic animals, including young livestock, housecats and small dogs. Keep livestock and pets secured as much as possible to minimize chances of problems. See http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/cougar/cougar.htm for more on cougars.

South Central Washington:

• Fishing: Recent reports from WDFW enforcement officers indicate decent fishing for nice-sized channel catfish and smallmouth bass in several locations along the Yakima and Columbia rivers, from the Tri-Cities to Yakima.

  Jim Cummins, WDFW fish biologist, said rivers and streams are dropping rapidly, and should be in great fishing condition by the end of the month, if not sooner. Smaller creeks should be in the best condition now, and the larger rivers, such as the Naches and Rattlesnake Creek will continue to drop as the last of the snow melts, and should be producing good fishing by the end of June.

  "The Naches and Rattlesnake will be 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."

  Leech, Dog and Lost lakes in Kittitas County have been stocked with triploid rainbows. Leech, a popular fly-fishing only lake is producing both eastern brook trout and triploids. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the campgrounds are not open at Leech and Dog lakes, but access areas to those lakes are open for fishing.

  Cummins said that although it's a little early to hike into the high lakes for fishing, some lakes are "ice free." But snow will be encountered on many trails above 4,000 feet, he warned. "And most of the region's high lakes are located at elevations above 4,000 feet," he said.

  The Naches and Cle Elum Ranger Districts of the U.S. Forest Service are reporting that access to some trails may be blocked because of downed trees and road damage caused by November's floods. Two roads that lead to popular trailheads and high mountain lakes are temporarily closed in the Bumping Lake area. For more information see the following websites:

  • http://www.nachesvalleychamber.com/info/nrd-Road_closure_1800_1808.doc
  • http://www.nachesvalleychamber.com/info/NRDJuneRecreationReport.doc
  • http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/recreation/report/#cleelum

  Cummins said he hasn't received any specific reports yet, but kokanee fishing should be picking up on Yakima River reservoirs. Although Rimrock Reservoir is muddy, he said.

• Hunting: June 28 is the deadline to apply for special hunting permits listed in the 2007 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet (available at WDFW offices, license vendors and at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm).

• Wildlife viewing: Some animals are having offspring and moving about with families in tow - deer fawns, elk calves, coyote pups, cougar kittens, and bear cubs are showing up all over. These wild youngsters are fun to look at but should not be approached and never picked up and removed from the wild. Protective parent animals are almost always nearby, so what may look like an "abandoned" baby could mean trouble. Taking wildlife into captivity is against the law and truly orphaned or injured animals should be handled only by state licensed wildlife rehabilitators, who can be contacted through WDFW's regional office in Yakima.