Spring is still a month away, but the recent thaw isn't the only sign that a change of season is drawing near.

On the Columbia River, a few spring chinook salmon have begun to show up in the recreational catch. Anglers can keep any adipose-fin clipped spring chinook they catch below the Interstate 5 bridge seven days per week.

In eastern Washington, dozens of lakes stocked with hatchery trout will open for fishing March 1 in a prelude to the statewide trout openers in April. Lakes included in the early opener - most in the Columbia Basin - are those that traditionally thaw out first.

But anglers, birders and others planning to spend time outdoors shouldn't turn the page on winter just yet.

People planning to dig razor clams Feb. 24-26 during an opener on five ocean beaches should bring warm, waterproof clothes, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW),

"We've had some big waves and rough weather during the past two openings," Ayres said. "We're hoping for better conditions this time, but it's always best to prepare for cold, wet weather."

Beaches open for digging during the three-day opening include those at Long Beach, Mocrocks, Copalis, Twin Harbors and Kalaloch. As in previous openings this season, no digging will be allowed at any beach before noon.

Blackmouth anglers, taking advantage of calmer waters, recently flocked to the Discovery Bay Salmon Derby where top honors went to a Poulsbo man who won $3,250 for a 19-pound, 15-once chinook salmon.

Steelhead fishing, meanwhile, has been slow on many rivers due to low stream flows. A number of westside rivers will close to steelhead fishing on or before March 1, so anglers should be sure to check the regulations before they go.

Those looking for a preview of this year's salmon-angling opportunities are invited to a public meeting in Olympia on Feb. 28, when initial forecasts developed by state and tribal biologists for this year's salmon returns. The meeting, which kicks off the annual season-setting process for salmon fisheries, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the General Administration Building Auditorium at 11th and Columbia Street on the Capitol Campus. For more information about recreational opportunities available now, see the regional reports below:

North Puget Sound

• Fishing: A stretch of calm weather has given anglers a new opportunity to chase blackmouth. Decent numbers of chinook have been reported in several areas, particularly Saratoga Passage between Whidbey and Camano islands. The Baby Island area and the "Racetrack," located between Hat Island and Camano Head, are also producing some blackmouth. In the San Juan Islands, anglers are hooking chinook, including reports of a 27-pounder in Lopez Pass. "I'm hearing there are some fish out there, along with some bait," said Steve Foley, a WDFW fish biologist.

  Recent creel surveys show anglers are having some success. At the Everett Ramp, 44 anglers hauled in 17 chinook on Feb. 18, and 83 fishers landed 23 blackmouth the following day. At Camano Island's public ramp, 75 anglers checked in 10 chinook on Feb. 18, while 82 fishers accounted for 10 blackmouth on Feb. 19. Elsewhere that day, 26 anglers hauled in nine chinook at the Bellingham Ramp, while 39 fishers landed nine blackmouth at the Washington Park Ramp the same day.

  Anglers fishing in marine areas 7 (San Juan Islands) and 9 (Admiralty Inlet) have a daily bag limit of one salmon in both areas. Those fishing in marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay) and 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) have a daily limit of two salmon, but wild chinook must be released. Unlike hatchery fish, wild chinook have an intact adipose fin.

  Time is running out for steelhead anglers in the northern Puget Sound area. Most area rivers, including the Snohomish, Nooksack and Wallace, close to steelhead fishing Feb. 28. Steelhead fisheries on the north fork Stillaguamish and the Skykomish rivers close by emergency rule March 1. The wild winter steelhead return to those two rivers is expected to reach only 36 percent of the goal, prompting the closure. "Because of the low returns, we need to minimize hooking mortality and disturbances of spawning fish," said Bob Leland, WDFW steelhead manager.

  Most areas of the Skagit River, however, remain open for the harvest of hatchery steelhead through March 15, then switch to catch-and-release from March 16 through April 30. Wild steelhead are distinguished from hatchery fish by their intact adipose and ventral fins. On the Sauk River, the catch-and-release fishery begins March 1. Anglers planning to fish for steelhead in northern Puget Sound should check the 2005/2006 Fishing in Washington pamphlet and WDFW's Emergency Rule Changes, which are located on the same website.

• Wildlife viewing: Whale sightings picked up recently. Orcas were spotted traveling throughout Puget Sound, ranging from the northern San Juan Islands to Edmonds. One observer reporting to the Orca Network sighted a pod of more than 25 transient killer whales traveling toward Moresby Island in Haro Strait. Within the group, but traveling by himself, was a transient named "Captain Hook," an old male with a mangled dorsal fin. East of the whales, about 30 Steller sea lions were sighted, along with "lots" of harbor seals, reported the observer.

  Birders have spread their wings and ventured out into the region since last weekend's ninth annual Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb.17-20), which tallied more than 5 million individual bird sightings and 561 different species throughout North America. One birder reporting to Tweeters birding website spotted a prairie falcon at the Samish Flats. "The bird flew between perches just north of the east end of Sullivan Road," the birder reported. Prairie falcons are similar in size and markings to peregrine falcons, but are lighter brown, according to the Seattle Audubon Society.

  Prairie falcons fly low over the ground to catch prey and are vocal during courtship, often heard before being seen. At Marymoor Park in Redmond, another birder spotted a pileated woodpecker. Pileateds are the largest woodpeckers in North America, according to the Seattle Audubon Society. The black, crow-sized woodpeckers have bright red pointed crests and broad white stripes below their eyes. When chipping at trees, the pileated woodpecker's drumming can be heard for long distances. In western Washington, pileateds can be found in large trees at several King County parks.

  This weekend (Feb. 25-26) birders can take part in the first annual Port Susan Snow Goose Birding Festival in the Stanwood and Camano Island areas. The festival will feature tours and speakers for the experienced and beginning birder. For more information visit the festival's website.

  A hotline to report dead or ill trumpeter swans in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties is available through the end of February. The hotline is part of an effort to monitor dead or ill swans that have succumbed to lead poisoning. The public can call (360) 466-4345, ext. 266, and leave a message with their name and phone number, and the location and condition of the swans. The hotline is available 24 hours a day. The swans die of lead poisoning after ingesting lead shot that has been deposited in areas where the birds feed during the winter.

  Lead shot has been banned for waterfowl hunting in Washington and British Columbia for more than a decade. WDFW, is involved in a study to locate and remove the toxic lead, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Canadian Wildlife Service, the University of Washington, the Trumpeter Swan Society and other non-governmental organizations.

South Sound/Olympic Peninsula

• Fishing: The line-up for the next few weeks includes razor clams, blackmouth and steelhead. But it could also include some changeable weather, as anyone who has gone fishing during the past month well knows.

  Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, said he is advising everyone planning to participate in the razor-clam dig Feb. 24-26 to bring warm, waterproof clothes. "We've had some big waves and rough weather during the past two openings," Ayres said. "We're hoping for better conditions this time, but it's always best to prepare for cold, wet weather."

  Beaches open for digging during the three-day opening include those at Long Beach, Mocrocks, Copalis, Twin Harbors and Kalaloch. As in previous openings this season, no digging will be allowed at any beach before noon.

  As always, Ayres recommends that diggers hit the beach at least an hour before low tide for best results. Evening low tides during the three-day dig are:

  - Friday, Feb. 24: 3:43 p.m. +0.4 ft.
  - Saturday, Feb. 25: 4:37 p.m. -0.2 ft.
  - Sunday, Feb. 26: 5:25 p.m., -0.5 ft.

  Diggers may take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 taken, regardless of size or condition. They also must carry a valid 2005-06 fishing license and keep their clams in a separate container.

  Once this week's dig is over, WDFW will determine whether enough clams remain to be harvested under this year's quota for another afternoon dig in late March and still provide a series of morning digs in April. News about late-season digs will be announced in mid-March.

  Meanwhile, participants in the Discovery Bay Salmon Derby caught a break during Presidents Day weekend, when rough weather gave way to clear skies and relatively calm seas. Todd Quisenberry of Poulsbo took the top prize of $3,250 for a 19-pound, 15-ounce blackmouth caught on a squid hootchie. Sixty-five of the 592 other participants also caught salmon, ranging from 19 pounds to just over 3 pounds.

  "That's about average for these waters at this time of year," said Larry Bennett, a WDFW technician who checked fish at the event. Those fish were caught in marine areas 6, 7 and 9, reflecting the expanded boundaries of this year's tournament. Blackmouth fishing continues in those areas, as well as in marine areas 11, 12 and 13.

  In the steelhead fishery, the Hoh River has been getting the most attention, because cold weather has substantially reduced flows in the Quillayute River system. On the lower Hoh, 161 anglers caught 44 steelhead, including 32 wild fish (of which 23 were released). On the upper Hoh, 87 anglers caught 34 steelhead, releasing all 27 of the wild ones.

  Mike Gross, WDFW fish biologist, reminds anglers that selective gear rules will take effect on the Hoh starting March 1, when anglers will be required to release any wild steelhead they catch. Gross also reminds anglers that the Hoh will close to all steelhead fishing April 1 - rather than the usual April 16 end date - because of low run returns.

  "But fishing on the Quillayute system and other area rivers should pick up once we get some more rain," Gross said. The same could also be said of the Wishkah, the Humptulips and other rivers in the Grays Harbor area, which have also been running low in recent days. Even so, anglers have been catching - and releasing - some nice wild steelhead on the Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers, said Hal Michael, another WDFW fish biologist. "We also have a good number of hatchery steelhead returning to the Skookumchuck."

• Wildlife viewing: They're baaack! Several groups of two to 15 transient killer whales have been sighted heading southbound in Puget Sound by several observers in recent days. The whales probably belonged to a larger grouping of as many as 30 transients that was seen near the San Juan Islands in mid-February. According to Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research, this large group included all six members of the group of transients that lingered in Hood Canal from late January until July of last year He also identified the calf - T124A - that was born last year.

  Within a few days, other observers were reporting sightings in Admiralty Inlet and Commencement Bay. Could they be headed to Hood Canal where two whales were sighted in mid-January? "That's hard to say," said Gary Wiles, a WDFW wildlife biologist. "The important thing is that they've returned to Puget Sound, just as they did in 2003 and 2005."

  Unlike resident killer whales, which feed on fish, the transients tend to favor seals. "They'll come into areas where there might be seals around," Greg Schorr, a biologist at Cascadia Research, told the Tacoma News Tribune.

  Birders have also posted several sightings of their own to the Tweeters bird-watching website in recent days. One reported a clutch of six snowy owls on the south side of Damon Point State Park. Others reported seeing a dozen swans - mostly trumpeters - along Highway 12 near Elma. And the red-shouldered hawk that has been drawing birders to the Rochester area for several weeks was still on display off Independence Road as of Feb. 18.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: As of today (Feb. 22), a month and a half into the season, dippers had taken only a handful of smelt from the Cowlitz River. "Conditions looked pretty good a couple of weeks ago, but the smelt just didn't materialize," said Joe Hymer, WDFW fish biologist. "It isn't over yet, but the current prognosis isn't that great."

  Hymer, who has monitored the smelt run for years, cited several reasons for diminished expectations. First, the smelt harvest by commercial boats in the mainstem Columbia River has dropped off in recent days. Second, the assembly of seals and cormorants at the mouth of the Cowlitz have largely dispersed. And third, the water temperature in the Cowlitz, chilled by recent cold weather, is currently registering 37 degrees. "Smelt like it around 42 degrees or higher," Hymer said.

  But there is still a chance that smelt could run up the Cowlitz in harvestable numbers before the season ends March 31, Hymer said. "We've seen the smelt arrive in March before," he said. "It's just a question of whether they show up before we run out of time."

  Anglers fishing for sturgeon and steelhead haven't done much better, said Wolf Dammers, another WDFW fish biologist working out of the southwest regional office in Vancouver. Of 13 boat anglers fishing the Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day pools from Feb. 13-19, none landed a legal-size sturgeon although they averaged more than one sub-legal per rod.

  Steelhead catches were also slow that week, largely due to low flows on the Columbia's tributaries, Hymer said. "First we had too much water, now we don't have enough," he said. "On most of the tributaries, we're back to hoping for some more rain."

  Once the skies open up, the Kalama and Cowlitz rivers are probably the best bet for steelhead, Hymer said. "There's still time for some good fishing on those rivers if we get some rain."

  Meanwhile, Hymer noted that Columbia River anglers have caught several spring chinook salmon in recent days. Fishing rules adopted by Washington and Oregon allow anglers to catch and keep adipose fin-clipped chinook caught below the I-5 bridge at least through April 19. The fishery runs seven days a week. "We're just starting to see the early arrivals," Hymer said. "We're hoping to see a lot more spring chinook in the weeks ahead."

• Wildlife viewing: Birders are back out in the region after last weekend's Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb.17-20). The ninth annual event tallied more than 5 million individual bird sightings and 561 different species throughout North America. One birder reporting to Tweeters birding website recently spotted three barn swallows at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Barn swallows have a masked appearance, as the deep blue color of their heads extends through their eyes, according to the Seattle Audubon Society. The birds have an orange breast and belly, and a long, deeply forked tail. Barn swallows are rarely seen during the winter in Washington, often arriving in mid-April. The birder also spotted more than 100 sandhill cranes, 40 Wilson's snipe and 12 yellow-rumped warblers at the refuge.

Eastern Washington:

• Fishing: March 1 marks the opening of the Tucannon River impoundments in Columbia County, but in mid-February only two of the seven lakes were free of enough ice to allow fish stocking. Doug Maxey, of WDFW's Tucannon Fish Hatchery, said he hoped to have all of the lakes stocked with rainbow trout before the opener, but it depends on weather. "Big Four in particular is always most difficult when we have ice," Maxey said. "So it's possible that it won't get fish before the first. The first two lakes we stocked this week - Rainbow and Blue - have only about one-eighth open water, just enough to get the fish in. Even if we get the others stocked they might not be very easy to fish." Forecasts indicate a slight warming trend, he noted, so anglers planning on an opening day trip to the Tucannon probably need to keep their fingers crossed.

  Rainbow Lake received 3,000 catchable-size (about one-third pound) rainbows and 100 "jumbos" (about two-third pounders) and Blue Lake received 3,500 catchables and 100 jumbos. Beaver Lake is slated to get 500 catchables, Big Four should get 3,000 catchables and 300 jumbos, Deer is slated for 1,000 catchables, Spring will get 2,000 catchables and 100 jumbos, and Watson is slated to receive 2,500 catchables and 100 jumbos. All of the lakes will be stocked several times again through June; check out total allotments on WDFW's Eastern Washington regional webpage. Anglers heading for the Tucannon lakes should be prepared for possible travel delays on the river road through the Wooten Wildlife Area, where post-wildfire helicopter salvage logging is under way. To further protect public safety during those operations, some of the area's campgrounds near the fishing lakes are also not available for use. Check the status of Wooten Wildlife Area access on the website or by calling 509-843-1530.

  Other March 1 openings in the region are Coffeepot Lake in Lincoln County and Amber and North Silver lakes in Spokane County - all still iced up as of mid-February. Chris Donley, WDFW district fish biologist, said warmer weather and wind are needed to open access to those waters. When that happens, Coffeepot should be very good for rainbow trout on selective gear, which is the rule, along with a two trout daily catch limit. Amber is open only for catch-and-release fishing, and should also be very good for both rainbow and cutthroat trout, which grow well in that lake. North Silver Lake has not been stocked because of chronic low water problems, Donley said, so there won't be much to catch.

  The recent cold snap temporarily restored some ice-fishing for trout at Fourth of July Lake on the Lincoln-Adams county line and Hog Canyon Lake in Spokane County, but anglers are urged to be cautious when warming trends occur and ice deteriorates. Those lakes, along with Williams Lake in northern Stevens County, remain open through March. Waitts Lake in southern Stevens County, which has produced some nice trout through the winter, including recent hauls of 15-inch-plus rainbows and 18-inch browns, closes Feb. 28. It will re-open April 29 after hatchery trout stocking and net-pen releases.

  Lake Roosevelt continues to produce kokanee and net-pen-reared rainbow trout. WDFW Ford Fish Hatchery specialist Ace Trump said during two recent fishing trips with his son to the Spring Canyon area just east of Coulee Dam they caught a kokanee and three or four rainbows each time within about four hours. The rainbows were 17 to 18 inches and the kokanee were 16 inches.

  Steelhead fishing has been excellent on the Grande Ronde in the Snake River drainage, said WDFW Lyons Ferry Hatchery Complex Manager Steve Rodgers. "At least it was excellent until the cold weather sent ice floating down the river," he said. For the latest on Snake River steelhead creel surveys, see the department's website.

• Wildlife viewing: Increased bird activity throughout the region is a sure sign of longer days and an approaching spring season, said Howard Ferguson, WDFW district wildlife biologist in Spokane. One species normally found east of the Rocky Mountains that is occasionally seen here is the blue jay. Ferguson reports three individuals have recently been coming to backyard feeders on Spokane's south hill, from 7th and Smith to Stone. Other notable sightings of late include a female black-backed woodpecker working over a pine tree in the Dishman Hills Natural Area of the Spokane Valley (Argonne Road I-90 exit south to Sprague Avenue, west to Sargent Road, left to parking area, then a mile-long walk on trail.) Also recently seen in the natural area are evening grosbeaks, mountain chickadees, pygmy nuthatches, golden-crowned kinglets, American robins, varied thrushes, and winter wrens.

  Feb. 12 marked the season's first report of 13 tundra swans flying high over Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Spokane County. The first report of the year of three Wilson's snipe at Turnbull came on Feb. 13. A rarely seen golden eagle soared over Cheney on Feb. 12. Ferguson also reported 13 short-eared owls on Feb. 15 "at their usual location" - Coulee-Hite and Thorpe roads, south of Highway 2 in western Spokane County. WDFW Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Manager Juli Anderson reports similar spring bird activity is beginning, including the hoarse calls and trills of red-winged blackbirds starting to fill the air.

  Birders traveling south in the region might want to make a stop at Palouse Falls State Park on the Whitman-Franklin county line. Steve Rodgers, WDFW Lyons Ferry Hatchery Complex manager, said that with the recent cold snap, the falls were frozen and spectacular to see. "Even if the falls are thawed and running by the time you see them," he said, "it's worth the side trip during this early spring period of high run-off." WDFW's Wooten Wildlife Area is always a good bet for wildlife watching, but visitors should be aware of travel delays and access restrictions during post-wildfire helicopter salvage logging operations. Area Assistant Manager Shana Winegeart invites wildlife watchers to help restore the area during by volunteering to plant trees and shrubs during weekends throughout March. Contact Winegeart at 509-843-1530 for more information.

North Central Washington:

• Fishing: With 50-degree days - and nights barely below freezing - the Columbia Basin might just warm up enough to thaw ice on dozens of lakes that open to fishing on March 1. "A little wind would help, too," said WDFW district fish biologist Jeff Korth of Moses Lake. The largest and usually most popular of these early-opening lakes - Burke and Quincy on the Quincy Wildlife Area - were still solid as of mid-February, preventing hatchery crews from stocking the 5,000 catchable-size (9-10-inch) rainbow trout scheduled for each. Korth said both lakes were treated last fall to reduce an over-abundance of sunfish. "So until we get them back to growing trout," he said, "the only fish available this season will be those catchables." Once they do go in, Korth expects Burke and Quincy to provide a fair fishery for the first few weeks of the season. About 20,000 rainbow fingerlings will be stocked in each lake later in the spring, he said. "We do the best we can after a rehabilitation treatment," he said, "but the real payoff comes a year and more later."

  Korth said the best bet in the Basin for the second year running will be Martha Lake near the town of George. "Last year's opener was good there with an average of 4.1 trout per angler," he said. "This year we've added some catchables as 'insurance,' although Martha has to make it on the strength of the 11,200 fingerlings we put in there last spring."

  Fish-eating cormorants have not been as big a problem at Martha as in the past, he noted. The Caliche lakes - Upper, Lower and West - have had inconsistent fingerling survival, possibly due to cormorant predation. But Korth thinks fishing in those lakes could be good this year if the fingerlings planted last spring survive. Upper Caliche received 6,500 fingerling rainbows, Lower Caliche got 5,000 and West Caliche 500 last spring.

  Dusty Lake, on the Quincy Wildlife Area, is in great shape, but usually gets off to a slow start because it's so deep and fish remain suspended longer, Korth said. Since its 2003 rehabilitation, the lake has been well stocked with trout, including 1,000 one-and-half-pound triploid rainbows, 3,000 catchable-size rainbow, 8,000 fingerling rainbow and 1,000 fingerling tiger trout two years ago. "That means there should be a fair number of two and three year-old fish in the catches this year," Korth said. Last year Dusty was stocked with 8,300 rainbow fingerings, 2,000 brown trout fingerlings, and 800 tiger trout fingerlings, so yearlings will also be plentiful. Anglers need to remember that selective fishery rules are in effect on Dusty Lake - no bait, a single barbless hook and a one-fish limit.

  Two other waters that open March 1 under selective gear rules - Lenice and Nunnally lakes in WDFW's Crab Creek Wildife Area just east of Beverly - should also be pretty good, Korth said. Both have been receiving regular plants of one-and-a-half-pound triploid rainbows to boost fingerling survival against an onslaught of sunfish. Last year's fingerling plant in Lenice Lake included 9,400 rainbows, 3,000 tiger trout, and 4,500 brown trout. Nunnally Lake received 12,000 rainbows and 4,500 browns. Korth says surviving yearlings from those plants should be 14 inches by now. There should also be some carryovers from earlier years' fingerling plants, now running 16 to 18 inches.

  Lake Lenore, north of the town of Soap Lake, will also open March 1 under selective gear rules. Korth says three to four year-old Lahontan cutthroat trout at about three to five pounds should be numerous this year. Lake Lenore, where fishing is catch-and-release until June, receives about 55,000 fingerlings annually.

  Other waters opening March 1 in the Columbia Basin include the Quincy Wildlife Area's small "walk-in" lakes. Among them, Crystal, Cup and Spring lakes have been the most consistent. Fingerling rainbows are stocked as follows: Cascade, 500; Cliff, 1,000; Crystal, 1,000; Cup, 1,000; Dot, 500; Scout, 600; Lower Spring, 500; and Upper Spring, 1,000. Yearling trout from these plants range from 9 to 12 inches, and carryovers can be found from 14 to 18 inches.

  Korth notes that some Basin waters that used to open March 1 were rehabilitated in 2004, delaying their opening until April 1. These waters include the Hampton Lakes (Upper and Lower), Hen Lake and the Pillar-Widgeon Lakes (Pillar, Gadwall, Shoveler, Lemna, Poacher, Snipe, Cattail, Sago, Hourglass, Widgeon).

  On the north end of the region, Spectacle Lake in Okanogan County also opens on March 1, but WDFW district fish biologist Bob Jateff says it won't have fish to catch until April. Spectacle was rehabilitated last fall, he explained, and it won't be re-stocked with trout until the ice is out near the end of March. "With our recent cold snap adding to the ice cover, Davis Lake in the Methow Valley and Sidley Lake near Oroville might offer some good rainbow trout fishing," he said. Jateff also noted that steelhead fishing in the upper Columbia River system has slowed due to lower water temperatures.

• Wildlife viewing: Despite the late cold snap, mountain bluebirds recently spotted near Vantage testify to longer days and the coming of spring. Birders have also reported sage sparrows and Say's phoebes in shrub-steppe country - and even a few barn swallows feeding out over the island in the Columbia River below Wanapum Dam. Red-winged blackbirds are lighting up the Columbia Basin with their sights and sounds.

  Winter still has a grip on the north end of the region, though, and birders in Douglas and Okanogan counties continue to report wintering groups of snow buntings and horned larks, along with lots bald and golden eagles, northern goshawk, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, merlin, and great horned owls.

  The Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in Okanogan County is a good spot to see whitetail deer, now highly visible as they feed almost round-the-clock. Snow cover throughout the northern tier of the region continues to make for excellent wildlife tracking while cross-country skiing or snowshoeing; watch for the usual deer, coyote, bobcat and cougar tracks, but also the more rare wolverine, like the one recently captured and radio-collared for study near the Pasayten Wilderness Area.

South Central Washington:

• Fishing: Stocking of hatchery rainbow trout in Yakima Valley lakes and ponds begins Feb. 27 and will continue through March 17. "Since most of our lakes are open year round, anglers can start fishing immediately," said WDFW district fish biologist Eric Anderson of Yakima. Catchable-size trout, 10-12 inches long and weighing about one-third pound, make up the bulk of the plants. Limited numbers of larger jumbo trout (about a pound each) are also scheduled for some waters, Anderson said.

  In the Yakima area, hatchery crews are stocking Granger Pond, I-82 Ponds 4 and 6, Myron Lake, Rotary Lake, Sarge Hubbard Park Pond and Wenas Lake. In the Kittitas Valley, the early stocked lakes include Denmark Pond, Fio Rito Lakes, Mattoon Lake, McCabe Pond and Woodhouse Ponds. Anderson said many of these lakes were stocked last fall and still have some carryovers from those plants. There should also be some rainbows in the one-and-a-half to five-pound range in a few of those lakes, including North Fio Rito, Mattoon, I-82 Pond 4, Rotary and Myron Lakes.

  Anderson said hatchery trout plants continue through early summer to maintain heavily-fished waters. The complete fish stocking list is available at WDFW's South Central Region Office in Yakima (1701 S. 24th Ave., phone 509-575-2740), or on the WDFW website. Anglers can also check a list, updated weekly, to see which lakes were recently planted. "Additional lakes at higher elevations in the region will be stocked as the weather continues to warm up and the snow and ice packs recede," Anderson said. "Our next big wave of stocking effort will occur in April." Anderson reminded anglers to check the fishing rules pamphlet for special regulations on gear and catch on some waters.

  WDFW fish biologist Jim Cummins reported a few fly fishers recently working the catch-and-release area in the Yakima River canyon. "I'm not sure how successful they were with the cold water temperatures," he said. "Ice has been flowing in the river early in the day, but seems to be gone by afternoon as air temperatures increase above freezing." Cummins noted that some lakes may be ice covered, but are likely not safe for fishing.

• Wildlife Viewing: "The birds are giving us signs of spring," said WDFW habitat biologist Ken Bevis of Yakima. "Large groups of American robins have been observed around Yakima lately, perhaps moving on in migration, or staging for further movement elsewhere. Red-tailed hawks are adding sticks to nest sites and, without the leaves on the trees, it's an easy time to locate them. Great blue herons have returned to local rookeries to start re-building nests. Spring can't be far off."

  WDFW Oak Creek Wildlife Area manager John McGowan reports bald and golden eagles remain visible in the Oak Creek vicinity, feeding on winter-killed deer, elk, sheep and other carcasses along the rocky cliffs. McGowan also reminds shed deer and elk antler collectors that Oak Creek has several road closures in place to restrict activities that disturb elk and deer in late winter. Oak Creek, Bethel Ridge, Sandford Pasture, and Mud Lake road systems are all closed to use through April 30.