October 2-15, 2002

Contact: Craig Bartlett, (360) 902-2259 - western Washington Madonna Luers, (509) 456-4073 - eastern Washington

Some of Washington's most popular statewide hunting seasons open the first half of this month: Upland game birds (pheasant and quail) and waterfowl (ducks and geese) open Oct. 5, and modern firearm deer hunting opens Oct. 12.

The bad news is that the coastal clam digging season scheduled to open Oct. 5 has been postponed until further notice due to marine toxin problems. Domoic acid levels are too high to allow human consumption and the risk of amnesic shellfish poisoning.

As of Oct. 2, steelhead fishers were also awaiting word on whether the National Marine Fisheries Service will approve a request by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to open a fishery for hatchery steelhead in parts of the Hanford Reach, the upper Columbia, Methow and Okanogan rivers. Anglers are reminded that the area is closed to steelhead fishing until further notice.

Meanwhile, hunters can expect pheasant and quail opportunities to be fairly good in the Columbia Basin and throughout eastern Washington where good riparian or streamside habitat is intact. In the southcentral region, WDFW will boost upland game bird hunting with pheasant releases at a few sites. In western Washington, pheasant hunting is confined to release sites only and started on Sept. 28. See the 2002-2003 Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game regulation pamphlet for more details on those sites.

The bulk of duck harvest is traditionally in the Columbia Basin. But WDFW biologists there predict the season will get off to a slow start because of lower numbers of locally-produced ducks, due to drought conditions, and fewer migrants from the north available. Goose numbers are also down due to drought conditions.

Whitetailed deer herds are healthy in the northeast, mule deer numbers are good in northcentral Washington's Okanogan County, and blacktail deer are relatively abundant in the southwest. Dry conditions may be challenging to hunters trying to stalk and still hunting may be best. All deer hunters, successful or not, are required to send hunting reports to WDFW; see the 2002-2003 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules Pamphlet for details.

Some deer hunters may be checked at roadside stations where WDFW biologists will be collecting fresh deer brain tissue samples to check for chronic wasting disease. As noted on WDFW's website, chronic wasting disease has not been found in Washington and is not known to be transmissible to humans.

The following regional reports provide more details on hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching opportunities across the state at this time.

North Puget Sound:

• Fishing: Coho salmon continue to provide the primary salmon-fishing opportunity in northern Puget Sound. While catch rates haven't matched the great results many anglers saw in 2001 when several new state records were set, there are still nice fish being caught in the traditional locations, said Curt Kraemer, WDFW fisheries biologist. "You need to cover a lot of territory out there to find the fish that are feeding," Kraemer said. Among the more productive spots have been Possession Point at the southern end of Whidbey Island, the Shipwreck, which is just southwest of Possession Point on the mainland side, just outside of the Edmonds Marina, and Elliott Bay, where lots of Duwamish-Green River coho stage before moving upriver to the spawning grounds. Saltwater fishers seeking coho might want to go a little deeper than they normally would. The winner of this year's Everett salmon derby picked up his prize-winning fish at a depth of about 150 feet, a depth most anglers normally associate with chinook fishing. Try coyote spoons, hoochies, or fresh herring. As of Oct. 1, anglers fishing in Area 9 can retain chum salmon as part of their daily limit. Chum retention is not allowed earlier in the season to help the summer chum rebuilding efforts in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Hood Canal. River fishers are also picking up fair numbers of coho in the Skagit, Snohomish, Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers. Cutthroat fishing remains good in most rivers, particularly the Skagit. Lake Washington remains open to coho fishing through Oct. 31 north of the State Route 520 bridge and east of the Montlake Bridge. There is a two-fish daily limit, and coho must be 12 inches or larger to retain. All other salmon must be safely released. Lake Sammamish is also open for both chinook and coho fishing through Nov. 30. There is a two-fish daily limit with a minimum size of 12 inches, and all sockeye must be released. If you're unable to get the salmon to bite in the lakes, be sure to have a small spinning rod and reel combo rigged up to go after perch, which should continue to provide plenty of fishing action well into fall. Start looking for the fish in deeper waters, and expect to find similar-sized fish grouping together. Worms and Powerbait seem to be working well.

• Hunting: Pheasant hunting opened Sept. 28 in western Washington, and will continue through Dec. 15. Fields in the "Headquarters Area" portion of the Skagit Wildlife Area were planted in corn this summer to combat a noxious weed infestation, and the tall-standing corn makes pheasant hunting in the area difficult. WDFW is providing an additional pheasant release site in Skagit County to reduce the hunting pressure and crowding on the headquarters area during this year of crop rotation. Birds will be regularly released between Sept. 28-Nov. 1 on the 400-acre Samish unit, near Samish Island. The area can be accessed by driving north on the Bayview-Edison Road from State Route 20, then turning west on the Samish Island Road. Forest grouse hunting is open through the end of the year. Look for the birds near berry patches and along old logging roads. Snow goose season in Island, Skagit and Snohomish counties opens Oct. 5 and runs through Jan. 5, 2003 for hunters who have applied for and received written authorization and a harvest report from WDFW. Canada goose season runs Oct. 5-24, then Oct. 9 to Jan. 26, 2003. Muzzleloader deer season is set for Oct. 5-9, while the modern firearm season for blacktail runs Oct. 12-31, and Nov. 14-17. The early muzzleloader elk season is set for Oct. 5-11.

• Wildlife viewing: The southerly migration of shorebirds, ducks and raptors continues throughout northern Puget Sound. Birders visiting such popular sites as Birch Bay, Padilla Bay, the Samish Flats and virtually any other shoreline area are likely to see big flocks of migrating birds, including black-bellied plover, northern pintail, green-winged teal and American widgeon. High above the shorebirds and ducks are more birds heading south for the winter, including turkey vultures. The big birds are easy to spot as they corkscrew on rising air currents with their wings pitched upward in a slight "V." Other large migrating birds, including most hawks, tend to soar with their wings at level. October is also a prime time to watch salmon spawning in most local rivers and streams. Check out the sockeye salmon spawning in the Cedar River upstream of Renton – the brightly colored sockeye are quite visible in the low water conditions of early fall. Salmon are spawning in just about every other northern Puget Sound river and stream, so be sure to keep pets and children in check so that the fish can continue their spawning activities without undue harassment.

Olympic Peninsula/South Sound:

• Fishing: The first razor clam dig of the fall season – tentatively scheduled to begin Oct. 5 – was postponed indefinitely after routine testing found elevated levels of marine toxins at all five razor clam beaches. Beaches affected by the health closure include Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks and Kalaloch. "This is extremely disappointing," said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. "We have a lot of clams out there this year and a lot of eager diggers. We're just hoping the toxin level drops soon so we can reschedule the opener." Routine tests conducted by the Washington Department of Health found domoic acid levels in the clams at or near the threshold determined to be unsafe for human consumption at all five ocean beaches. Domoic acid, a naturally occurring marine toxin, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dizziness and – in extreme cases – death when ingested. The last time elevated domoic acid levels prompted a coastwide closure of the Washington razor clam fishery was in the fall of 1998, although it also prompted a month-long closure in Twin Harbors in April 2001. "There's no way to predict it, but we're really hoping that these elevated marine toxin levels will pass quickly," Ayres said. "We'll be monitoring the situation closely and will make an announcement as soon as we see some improvement." Many salmon fishers, meanwhile, are waiting for a good hard rain. The summer salmon fishery at Sekiu (Marine Area 5) closed Sept. 30, and while onboard fish finders are picking up plenty of coho elsewhere, the bite has generally been slow from Willapa Bay to southern Puget Sound. Bill Freymond, WDFW fish biologist, said he's expecting "robust runs" of fall coho and chinook but doesn't expect much action "until we get some serious water." In Cosmopolis, 213 anglers caught 48 chinook and 42 coho during the last Sunday in September, but catches in areas such as Hoodsport, Point Defiance and the Nisqually River translated into a fraction of a fish per angler. The Puyallup River in Pierce County continues to be a bright spot, with "lots of silvers still coming in," said an employee at Great Northwest Fishing and Archery. High on the river, anglers are drifting corkies and yarn, or eggs. Further down, they're plunking with Spin ‘n Glos and eggs. The coho there are averaging about 5 pounds.

• Hunting: The month of October offers a variety of hunting opportunities, from birds to big game. First in line is the general pheasant hunting season, which got under way Sept. 28 in most areas and will continue through Nov. 30. Birds were released just prior to opening day at seven WDFW sites, including those at Belfair and Hunter Farms (Mason County), the Chehalis River (Grays Harbor County near Brady), the Raymond Airport (Pacific County), Scatter Creek and Skookumchuck (Thurston County) and Fort Lewis (Pierce County). Due to security concerns, those planning to hunt at the Fort Lewis Adventure Center must first register by calling (253) 967-8260 or (253) 967-8295. Farther north, the Dungeness Recreation Site near Sequim will open for hunting Oct. 5. See the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/wwapheas.htm for maps an information on each area. Cold spring weather in northern Canada is expected to reduce the number of migrant ducks and geese moving through the region when the season opens Oct. 5 in most areas of the state. But local production of ducks and geese will vary from area to area, said Don Kraege, WDFW waterfowl biologist, who recommends trying the shores of Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay, the Chehalis Valley from Porter to Montesano, and WDFW lands along Hood Canal. With enough scouting, good goose hunting opportunities can be found in the fields of eastern Thurston and Pierce counties, Kraege said, adding that Goose Management Areas 2A and 2B (Cowlitz, Clark, Wahkiakum, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties) will be closed to hunting into November to protect dusky geese. Check the Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game pamphlet for opening dates and special hunting requirements in those two areas. The early deer season gets under way for muzzleloaders Oct. 5, followed by the modern firearm season that starts Oct. 12. Check the WDFW big game pamphlet for all the details. Jack Smith, regional WDFW wildlife manager, predicts some great deer hunting provided the area gets some rain. Smith said the harvest during last month's archery season was very low, largely due to the fact that fire danger prompted many owners of private timberlands to close their property to hunting. Once the rain begins to fall in earnest, the Satsop, Wynoochee, Capitol Peak and Skookumchuck units should all offer excellent hunting opportunities, Smith said. He noted that hunting on the Long Beach Peninsula (GMU 684) will get under way Oct. 12 just like those other areas, despite its omission from the WDFW big game pamphlet. The omission was due to a printing error, and does not change the fact that the hunting season for that area was approved by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, he said.

• Wildlife viewing: Jack Smith, regional WDFW wildlife manager, was sitting in his backyard hot tub one night with a full moon overhead when he heard an eerie sound directly overhead. "It sounded like some kind of prehistoric beast," said Smith, who lives in Central Park a few miles east of Aberdeen. Although he couldn't see them, he actually knew from experience that the sound he was hearing was coming from a flock of sandhill cranes flying over his house. "Anyone with any interest in wildlife couldn't help but be impressed," Smith said, noting that he sees the cranes every year about this time while making his rounds as a wildlife manager. About 100 sandhill cranes overwinter every year at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, but migrating birds can be seen throughout Washington and Oregon in September and October. Smith said he most often sees them in coastal bays, but notes that they also venture out into flooded fields in search of dry grain. While sandhill cranes are sometimes mistaken for great blue herons, two characteristics set them apart. First, sandhills vary from gray to brown but are basically uniform in color, while great blue herons are blue-gray with white and black patches. Second, sandhill cranes fly with their necks stretched straight, while great blue herons fold theirs into an "S" shape when they're on the wing. Other birds spotted in coastal areas and reported on the Tweeters website during the past week include an American bittern (snatching dragonflies out of the air at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge), 39 golden plovers (Ocean Shores) and eight turkey vultures (circling a field in Montesano). People with a dogwood tree in their yard should watch for band-tailed pigeons – they love the ripe buttons.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: Hatchery coho are in transition from early to late stocks, but there are plenty of fish in the water, says Joe Hymer, regional fish biologist. The run-size forecast for early stocks has been doubled from 112,700 to 226,000 fish. Streams that produce early stocks have shown correspondingly good catches– last week bank anglers on the Toutle River were bringing in one hatchery fish for every four rods, while one of every five bank anglers on the Kalama River was catching a coho. Good numbers of late-stock coho are expected on the Cowlitz River, where returns are already ahead of last year. Boat anglers downstream from the I-5 Bridge averaged half a hatchery coho per rod, while bank anglers averaged one fish per every four rods last week. In addition, hatchery coho are being released into the upper Cowlitz watershed for additional angling opportunity as well as re-introduction efforts. The Tacoma Power web site gives a weekly report of returns to its salmon hatchery there and locations where fish are being released. The Elochoman, Kalama, Lewis, Washougal, and Klickitat rivers also produce late- run coho which typically peak in October. Meanwhile, there are still fall chinook fishing opportunities in some rivers, including the Lewis, North Fork Lewis and Klickitat, Hymer notes. Nearly 15,000 wild adult fall chinook are expected to return to the North Fork Lewis River this year. Fall chinook fishing effort and catch is declining in the lower mainstem Columbia River as the run moves upriver. Sturgeon fishers can again keep legal sized fish in Bonneville Pool, which re-opened to sturgeon retention Sept. 28 from Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam. Hatchery sea-run cutthroat trout fishing should still be good in the Cowlitz River from Blue Creek downstream. Goose Lake was planted in mid-September with over 3,000 cutthroat averaging 1.25 pounds each.

• Hunting: Waterfowl hunting opens Saturday in much of the region, although goose hunting is closed in Management Area 2A (Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties) to protect dusky Canada geese. Pheasant hunting, which got under way last weekend, is scheduled to continue through Nov. 30. The 1,894-acre Shillapoo Wildldife Area was slated to get 2,480 released pheasants and 477-acre Vancouver Lake Wildlife Area was to be stocked with 1,740 released birds. General deer season opens Oct. 12. Klickitat County and is expected to produce the highest proportion of the region's deer, although with most of the county in private ownership, securing advance permission is an essential step in preparing for the hunt. Hunters here and elsewhere in the state are reminded that they may be asked to relinquish small brain tissue samples from their harvested deer and elk for on-going chronic wasting disease testing. The fatal disease has not been detected in Washington's deer and elk, and hunter cooperation is essential in the on-going monitoring effort.

• Wildlife viewing: With the arrival of fall, birds are on the move throughout the region- sandhill cranes, great blue herons, pied-billed grebes, red-tailed and Northern harrier hawks, American kestrals, coots, and a variety of waterfowl species are commonly spotted at this time of year. For a seasonal list of watchable birds visit the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge's website. The seasonal bird activity will be celebrated Oct. 12 and 13 with the Annual Bird Fest, sponsored by the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Activities include lectures, slide presentations, guided field tours, raptor shows, art and equipment exhibits and sales and children's crafts; a detailed schedule is available at the Friends of Ridgefield website.

Eastern Washington:

• Hunting: Pheasant and quail hunting should be fair in the pockets of good habitat available throughout the central and southeast districts of the region. These include Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands and WDFW's posted Register-To-Hunt acreages in Lincoln, Whitman, southern Spokane, Garfield, Columbia, and Walla Walla counties. Dry conditions will make it tough for hunters to move through the field quietly and for bird dogs to pick up scent, but precipitation is in the forecast. Lincoln County's potholes country, which usually produces good numbers of ducks, is out of shape this year due to drought. "Production of ducks in eastern Washington is down more than 18 percent from the average this year," reported WDFW's waterfowl biologist Ron Friesz, "and it's largely due to continued drought conditions in our main duck producing areas, including Lincoln County. The pond counts there were down more than 40% from the long term average." Waterfowl hunting might be productive later in the season on norther migrants along the Pend Oreille River up north or along the Snake River down south. Whitetailed deer hunting, as always, is best in Stevens County where a mix of agricultural lands and wooded terrain provide excellent habitat. Whitetail hunting in the central and southeast districts is limited to three-antler-point-minimum bucks. All mule deer hunting throughout the region is restricted to the thee-point rule also.

• Fishing: WDFW fish biologist Joe Bumgarner reports good steelhead fishing in southeast waters. His most recent creel checks at 14 locations in the Snake and Walla Walla river drainages show an overall rate of fishing at about 11 hours per caught steelhead and about 20 hours per kept hatchery steelhead (adipose fin clipped.) Some of the best fishing was on the Tucannon River where the catch rate was not quite six hours per fish and the rate of keep was not quite nine hours. The Snake River from Little Goose to Lower Granite dams was also good, with a rate of catch not quite eight hours per fish and the rate of keep was just over 14 hours. The Snake River stretch from Lower Granite to the interstate bridge at Clarkston showed a catch rate of just over 11 hours per fish, although three out of four of those were wild and released. The Wallula area of the Walla Walla River, from the Oregon state line to the mouth, had a catch rate of just over 15 hours per steelhead and just over 30 hours per kept hatchery fish. Southeast Washington steelhead fishing traditionally gets better as fall advances and the weather grows colder, with the peak of catch rates usually in November.

• Wildlife viewing: Snow on the mountain tops, frost in the lowlands, and shorter daylight hours have trees quickly turning colors, birds grouping up to head south, and other wildlife preparing for coming winter. Those who like to enjoy local wildlife from the comfort of a window-side easy chair should take these seasonal cues to set up backyard winter feeding and watering stations. Although birds and other wildlife species don't usually need supplemental feeding, especially where good habitat exists, a close-up view is enjoyable. Feeding deer is not recommended because their concentration can attract potentially dangerous cougars or make deer vulnerable to other problems, including vehicle collisions on nearby roads. Bird feeding is enjoyable, but also can create problems if feeders are not kept clean or located properly. For tips on how to safely winter-feed, see the Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program information on WDFW's website.

North Central Washington:

• Hunting: WDFW wildlife biologist Jim Tabor says pheasant hunters in the irrigated part of the Columbia Basin should find more roosters than last year. "Our pheasant brood routes surveyed in August indicated a 38 percent increase in chick production," Tabor reported. He also says deer hunters in Grant and Adams counties can expect to find at least as many deer as last year, likely more, as a result of continued favorable weather and habitat conditions. WDFW waterfowl biologist Ron Friesz anticipates duck hunting will be slow for the opener. "We've had reduced production from our resident breeding population and low numbers of early arrival migrants out of Canada and Alaska," Friesz said. "Production of ducks in eastern Washington was down over 18 percent from the average this year, largely due to continued drought conditions in our main duck producing areas in Douglas, Okanogan and Lincoln counties. The pond counts there were down over 40 percent from the long term average." Friesz reports a sample survey in northern Douglas County the week of Sept. 23 found even fewer waters available for migrant ducks to use for resting and feeding. Only the larger lakes and ponds contained water and small number of ducks. That, he says, equates to fewer hunting opportunities. "Waterfowl hunting prospects within the irrigated portions of the Columbia Basin and Yakima Valley appear to be better," Friesz said. "Many of the wetlands associated with the Desert Wildlife Area are holding scattered flocks of early migrant ducks, primarily mallards, widgeon and green-winged teal. There should be fair hunting opportunities, although I anticipate the weather to warm, clear and not be very conducive for moving waterfowl." Friesz also reports Canada goose numbers in the Columbia Basin are low at this time. During the last week of September, Friesz counted 2,500 small geese at Stratford Lake. He says he doesn't expect the main migration of geese out of Alaska for another week or so. WDFW wildlife biologist Scott Fitkin says mule deer hunting opportunity in Okanogan County are good. "Conditions are very dry and areas that still have water and/or some green forage may be productive," Fitkin said. "Deer are generally scattered across the landscape, and many older bucks may be lingering in higher, more remote country. Post-season buck/doe ratios were 24:100 last winter and fawn numbers last spring were moderate to good. In short, I pretty much expect conditions and success to be a repeat of last year." Fitkin reminds young hunters that the "any-deer" opportunity for youth continues and success rates should be high. He notes that wildfires will likely limit access to the north-central part of the Pasayten Wilderness Area, and possibly to some of the southern part of Unit 242. Fitkin also notes that forest grouse hunters, whose season has been open since the first of September, are generally reporting good success and seeing quite a few birds, particularly blue and spruce grouse at mid to upper elevations. WDFW wildlife biologist Tom McCall expects deer hunters to be successful in units throughout Chelan and Douglas counties this season. "During the early-archery season in Chelan County," McCall said, "archers took some huge bucks. Muzzleloaders and modern firearm hunters should experience some of the same success." McCall also notes that Chelan and Douglas County upland game bird populations appear strong, particularly chukar, grouse, and quail, and hunters should meet with above average success.

• Fishing: "Fall trout fishing is starting to turn on in the Columbia Basin," said WDFW fish biologist Jeff Korth. That's because water temperatures are currently in the low to mid 60-degree range. Many of the Seep Lakes (south of Potholes Reservoir) are open year around and should be producing good catches of rainbow trout. Canal, Windmill, Heart, Corral, and Blythe lakes are good bets. "Check the regulations as there are some lakes in the area already closed for the season," Korth reminded. October is a great month to also be fishing the selective regulation fisheries at Lenore, Dry Falls, Lenice and Nunnally lakes, Korth says. "Recent reports from Lenore show the cutthroat trout are starting to bite," he said. "This is also the time of year when the predator species in the larger waters feed voraciously in preparation for the leaner months of winter. Fish for bass and walleye in Moses, Potholes, Banks, and Sprague.

• Wildlife viewing: A brand-new salmon festival, "Follow the Salmon Home" , continues Oct. 5-6 in Omak in Okanogan County. The festival will run through Oct. 20, moving with the chinook salmon returning to the Upper Columbia River each weekend to a different community (Tonasket Oct. 12-13, and Oroville Oct. 19-20). Sponsored by the Upper Columbia Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group and the Colville Confederated Tribes, the festival will open each weekend with a Native American canoe fleet coming up the river and a traditional salmon bake, courtesy of the tribes. There will also be native dancers, stagecoach and covered wagon rides, storytellers, kids' fishing pond, live music, carnival and vendor booths. For more information, call 509-486-2400.

South Central Washington:

• Hunting: Pheasant hunting will be boosted for opening weekend with the release of a total of about 700 farm-raised roosters on several sites that may include the Colockum and Wenas/L.T. Murray Wildlife Areas in Kittitas County, the Sunnyside Wildlife Area in Yakima County, the Ringold and Big Flat areas in Franklin County, and the Hill Road site in Klickitat County. See Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program on WDFW's website for more detail about these sites, or call the Yakima regional office at 509-575-2740 for more details. Waterfowl hunting prospects within the irrigated portions of the Yakima Valley appear to be better than other parts of eastern Washington, according to state waterfowl biologist Ron Friesz. Some wetlands are holding scattered flocks of early migrant ducks composed primarily of mallards, wigeon and green-winged teal that should provide fair hunting opportunities. "But I anticipate the weather will warm and clear and not be very conducive for moving waterfowl," Friesz said. The later part of the season may be more productive.

• Fishing: WDFW fish biologist Rick Watson's latest report on the Hanford Reach area of the Columbia River fishing shows one salmon for about every two or three anglers. That fishing should continue as good if not better for the next few weeks, he says. The Hanford Reach daily bag limit was recently increased from two to four adult Chinook, due to an unexpectedly high return of fish. At last count there were about 85,000 fall chinook salmon between McNary Dam and Priest Rapids Dam. That bag limit revision is for the portion of river from the Highway 395 bridge at Pasco upstream to Priest Rapids Dam. The total daily bag limit remains at six salmon, no more than four of which may be adults and no more than two of which may be coho. The minimum size is 12 inches.The Hanford Reach season ends Oct. 22 upstream from the old Hanford town site, and ends Dec. 31 in the section of the river from the town site downstream to the Highway 395 bridge. WDFW fish biologist Jim Cummins reports lower Yakima River rainbow trout fishing is slower, with only one fish for nine anglers at last count. "Fall fishing in the Kittitas County section of Yakima for trout can be rewarding this time of year," Cummins said. "Many anglers feel that fall is the best time to fish the Yakima. Rainbow are actively feeding on heavy caddis fly hatches. Although floating the river is very productive, the low flows result in good opportunity for those who prefer to wade. Rainbow generally run eight to 12 inches in length, but average about 11 inches." Cummins reminds that the Yakima is a catch-and-release fishery with single, barbless hooks, and no bait allowed. WDFW warmwater fish biologist Marc Divens reports recent surveys of Scooteney Reservoir in Franklin County showed good walleye and perch fishing opportunities. Divens and crews saw walleye up to 11 pounds and many 16 to 22 inches. Perch averaged eight to 10 inches and were observed up to 14 inches. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing should also be good, Divens says.

• Wildlife viewing: Snow on the mountain tops, frost in the lowlands and shorter daylight hours have trees quickly turning colors, birds grouping up to head south, and other wildlife preparing for coming winter. Those who like to enjoy local wildlife from the comfort of a window-side easy chair should take these seasonal cues to set up backyard winter feeding and watering stations. Although birds and other wildlife species don't usually need supplemental feeding, especially where good habitat exists, a close-up view is enjoyable. Feeding deer is not recommended because their concentration can attract potentially dangerous cougars, or make deer vulnerable to other problems like vehicle collisions on nearby roads. Bird feeding is most enjoyed, but also can create problems if feeders are not kept clean or located properly. For tips on how to safely winter-feed, see the Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary program information on WDFW's website.