August 21 - September 3, 2002

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

The first days of September usually bring some of summer's best weather along with a hint of the autumn to come. They also signal the traditional start of hunting season, new fishing opportunities and a transitional period for Washington's wildlife.

Whether fishing, hunting or viewing wildlife, anyone planning to spend time outdoors is reminded to be extra cautious with anything that could spark more wild fires, especially in tinder-dry eastern Washington. They are also advised to check with public land managers about fire restrictions before going afield.

Thousands of hunters plan are already preparing for hunting seasons that open statewide for dove, forest grouse, cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare Sept. 1. Warm weather may have migratory mourning doves staying in Washington longer this year, prompting wildlife managers to predict a productive opener for sharp wing-shooters. Blue, spruce, and ruffed grouse will likely be concentrated near springs or streamside areas due to the dry conditions, and successful blue grouse hunters are encouraged to bring a wing and tail of each bird – with harvest location and date – to their closest Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) office for use in a study about reclassifying the species into distinct western and eastern species.

Bird hunters should check the new WDFW Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons pamphlet, due out the last week of August, for details on the various seasons. Early archery deer and elk hunting also opens Sept. 1 in select units in both eastern and western Washington. Deer are particularly abundant – some to the point of causing agricultural damage – in eastern, northcentral and southwestern Washington. Archers have a couple of new elk hunting opportunities in southeast units and may find elk abundant in various other areas of the state.

Some of the state's best black bear hunting opens in areas of the Blue Mountains on Sept. 3, along with seasons for smaller game. These and other seasons are outlined in WDFW's 2002 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet.

Fishing opportunities are also shifting to a new phase with the approach of September. Catch rates are rising in the Buoy 10 salmon fishery at the mouth of the Columbia River, prompting WDFW to limit anglers to one chinook as part of their two-salmon daily bag limit effective Aug. 24 to avoid an early season closure. Coho salmon are also moving into the Strait of Juan de Fuca in growing numbers, boosting catch rates in Sekiu to nearly one fish per angler.

For freshwater anglers, late summer usually brings a new hatch of insects to boost fly-fishing for trout at hundreds of waters throughout the state. September 1 marks the shift of some fishing seasons – most notably on steelhead trout in eastern Washington's mainstem Snake River – from releasing all to keeping two steelhead a day. Also beginning Sept. 1, sturgeon in many parts of the Columbia River must be released and some lakes, rivers and streams close or switch to catch-and-release seasons. Fishers should check the WDFW Fishing in Washington pamphlet for all details.

Wildlife watchers will also notice some changes. Swallows are grouping up by the thousands to make their annual journey south and many other small birds are also preparing for the trip to southern wintering grounds. Hummingbirds are becoming increasing scarce, especially in eastern Washington, and many bluebird families are already be gone. On the other hand, swans, geese, ducks, and other water birds are highly visible on waterways across the state, while groups of deer and elk can be seen feeding at dawn and dusk and dawn along the protective edges of woodlands.

More specific information about hunting, wildlife viewing and fishing opportunities are provided in the following regional reports:

North Puget Sound:

• Fishing: The Elliott Bay bubble fishery for chinook salmon has closed for the year, but that doesn't mean there aren't local opportunities to take a few of the big fish. The Tulalip Bay bubble fishery, just north of Everett, remains open on a 12:01 a.m. Friday through 11:59 a.m. Monday schedule until the end of September. There is a two-fish daily limit, and chinook must be 22 inches to retain. Chinook can also be retained in Marine Area 7 (the San Juan Islands), although there is a one-chinook limit as part of the overall two-fish daily limit, and all unmarked (wild) coho must be released. Speaking of coho, the hard-biting, hard-fighting fish are just now starting to trickle into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound, with reports of a few nice fish being picked up off Whidbey Island and the Edmonds-Kingston area. Look for coho fishing to improve through September as more migratory fish move into the sound. Coho will also start showing up soon in area rivers. The Skagit River opens to salmon fishing Sept. 1 from the mouth to the Memorial Highway Bridge in Mount Vernon with a two-salmon daily limit (all chinook must be released). The Snohomish River, which typically has a good coho run, also opens Sept. 1 with a two-salmon daily limit (all chinook and pink salmon must be released). That's right, pink salmon. While Puget Sound pink salmon typically return in odd years only, there is a growing stock of pink salmon returning to the Snohomish River in even years. "We have received numerous reports of pink salmon sport catches this summer," said WDFW Fish Program Manager Jim Ames. The stock has been growing significantly in recent years. In 1994, there was an escapement of 1,640 spawners; that number doubled to 3,734 in 1996. In 1998, the return nearly doubled again to 6,078 fish and, true to form, the 2000 return doubled to 12,900 fish. Ames said that judging by the number of pink salmon reported in sport catches from Elliott Bay north to the Everett area, it looks like the 2002 return might again be double the parent-year escapement. While they are off-limits to freshwater salmon anglers, pink salmon may be retained as part of the daily bag limit in saltwater fisheries. Fishing for summer-run steelhead continues on northern Puget Sound streams, but low flows and gin-clear water make the fish skittish and tough to catch for even seasoned ironhead aficionados. A better bet would be to dig up a coffee can's worth of nightcrawlers and head to the lower stretch of your local river for cutthroat trout. "This is a great time to get some nice native cutthroat," Kraemer said. "The fish aren't huge by any means - maybe 10 to 16 or 17 inches – but they're a fantastic fish to catch." Aside from the aforementioned nightcrawlers, Kraemer suggests casting small spoons, spinners, or working the water with a number of fly patterns, including the "Knutson Spider," and streamer-type flies in baitfish patterns. Check the fishing regulations for selective fishing rules before going after cutthroat (fishing with bait isn't allowed on all rivers). Lake Sammamish opened to chinook fishing Aug. 16 with a two-fish daily limit. All sockeye must be released and fishing is closed in waters within 100 yards of the mouth of Issaquah Creek. Lowland lake fishers should see an increase in perch catches by early September. Kraemer said the fish can now be found in the shallow areas near weed beds, but will start moving into deeper water as temperatures start to drop." Once the water starts cooling down a bit, the perch will go into a feeding frenzy that makes it possible to pick up a lot of really nice fish," he said. A light spinning rod, a few pieces of splitshot and the worms left over from that cutthroat fishing expedition are pretty much all that's needed for perch fishing. For an even lighter tackle experience, head to one of the Cascade Range's alpine lakes for trout flyfishing. Small spinner lures will work, as will a host of fly patterns, such as the Adams, Royal Wulff or a Royal Coachman. Crab fishing is open in most of northern Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. The remaining northern portion of Marine Area 7 that has been closed to soft shell condition, including Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts, is scheduled to open on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 7 a.m. Alden Bank, just northeast of Suchia Island, will remain closed to crabbing until test fisheries confirm soft shell condition has dropped to an acceptable level. Call the shellfish rule change hotline, 1-866-880-5431, or check the WDFW website, on the Internet for the latest information on shellfish closures.

• Wildlife viewing: Look for peregrine falcons hunting among the flocks of shorebirds along the many bays and estuaries in northern Puget Sound, including Padilla Bay, the Samish Flats, and the Skagit Wildlife Area. Hummingbirds are still being sighted throughout the region, according to postings on the Tweeters website. If the birds are still active in your neighborhood, be sure to keep nectar feeders fresh, or better yet, think about planting bird-attracting native plants, such as the native honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa).

• Hunting: Archery deer hunts run from Sept. 1-30 on both sides of the Cascades, while the early archery season for elk is set for Sept. 1-14.

Olympic Peninsula/South Sound:

• Fishing: Now that the Westport salmon season is over for the year, an increasing number of anglers are setting their sights on fisheries in other ocean areas and inside waters. Many of those not heading for the Buoy 10 fishery at the mouth of the Columbia River (see "Southwest Washington" summary below) are routinely scoring two-fish bag limits in the ongoing hatchery coho salmon fishery out of Ilwaco (Marine Area 1). Farther north, catch rates are averaging around one hatchery coho per rod in the waters off LaPush and Neah Bay (marine areas 3 and 4, respectively). Anglers fishing in all ocean areas still open to salmon fishing are required to release any chinook and unmarked coho salmon they catch; those fishing out of Neah Bay are also required to release chum salmon. The same is true at Sekiu, where fishing is picking up quickly in step with the number of hatchery coho entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On Sunday, Aug. 18, creel checkers counted 194 anglers with 132 hatchery coho, each averaging about 5 pounds. Those odds compare favorably with areas checked that day in southern Puget Sound, including the Hood Canal boat ramp (40 anglers, seven chinook and one coho), Point Defiance (47 anglers, no fish) and Boston Harbor (11 anglers, five chinook). The action is also picking up on the Skokomish River in Mason County, where 143 anglers were checked Aug. 18 with 79 chinook weighing an average of 14 pounds. The Quilcene River, which also flows into Hood Canal, opened for hatchery coho Aug. 16 on the stretch between Rodgers Street in Quilcene to the Highway 101 bridge, although few fish have shown up yet. When they do, anglers should be aware that WDFW Enforcement officers will be keeping a close eye on the fishery. "It's a popular fishery on the fairly short stretch of the river and things can get pretty jammed up," said WDFW Enforcement Officer Phillip Henry, who notes that the entire area open to fishing is on private property. "The department has an easement, but anglers have to be sensitive to the rights of the property owners if they want to see this fishery continue." He also cautions fishers to avoid trampling the redds left by spawning summer chum salmon, which are listed as "threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act. Henry expects the bulk of the run to arrive around Labor Day, noting "I'll be there, in uniform."

• Hunting: Jack Smith, regional wildlife manager, is expecting good hunting for both deer and elk during the archery season that begins Sept. 1. "It should be a good year for deer, and elk populations are improving on the Olympic Peninsula," he said. For elk, Smith recommends the Clearwater Game Management Unit (GMU) on the northwest area of the Peninsula and the Williams Creek GMU in the Willapa Hills. For deer, he likes the Capitol Forest, Skookumchuck and Deschutes GMUs. The Vail Tree Farm in Thurston County is always a good bet for grouse, he said, but notes that "grouse are fairly well distributed in forestlands throughout the region." Regardless of the area, hunters should be aware that black bears are very active this time of year, gorging themselves on ripe huckleberries, Smith said. Regardless of the species, Smith recommends that hunters consult the WDFW Game Harvest Report for 2001 when planning their hunt. "The simple fact is that hunting prospects don't change that much from year to year and the Harvest Report provides a good account of what happened last year, GMU by GMU," he said.

• Wildlife viewing: The Olympic Peninsula has been showered with accolades in recent weeks for its rugged beaches and teeming wildlife areas. First came the Travel Channel, which named Shi Shi Beach the "best nature beach" in the nation. Visitors to Shi Shi, located between the Point of Arches and Cape Flattery, can expect to see deer, racoons, river and sea otters, perigrine falcons, bald eagles, oystercatchers and a variety of other seabirds. The beach became part of Olympic National Park in 1976 and borders the Makah reservation. It will be featured in a May 2003 program, "America's Best Beaches." Meanwhile, the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge has been named one of the top 500 Globally Important Bird Areas in the nation. That should come as no surprise to any of the thousands of birders who visit Bowerman Basin every year. Even in the heat of summer last week, one contributor to Tweeters, the on-line birding chat-room, logged dozens of species from long-billed curlews and semipalmated sandpipers to black-bellied plovers and a sharp-shinned hawk. As evidenced by contributions to the Tweeters site, pelagic birding trips out of Westport are a popular pastime, with plenty of recent sitings of skuas, tufted puffins shearwaters and other species. Still no sight of the Magellanic penguin that escaped Aug. 9 from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, though. Zoo officials suspect it is somewhere in Puget Sound and hope that it has steered clear of predators and power boats. The penguin chick has black plumage and a white chest, standing about 18 inches tall and weighing 6.5 pounds. If you should spot such a bird, zoo officials ask that you call (253) 404-3636 immediately.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: Prime time for fall chinook fishing is at hand at Buoy 10, with the third-largest returning run on record expected to peak over the coming two weeks. Beginning Saturday (Aug. 24), anglers will be limited to only one chinook salmon per day as part of their two-fish bag limit. The reduced chinook bag limit will allow fishing to remain open at least until Labor Day. Anglers can check on rule changes through the WDFW website or by calling the department's fishing hotline at (360) 902-2500 (press 2 for recreational rules). Through last Sunday (Aug. 18), Washington and Oregon combined counts showed 7,700 chinook caught in 31,500 angler trips in the Buoy 10 area. The catch averaged slightly better than one-third of a chinook per angler last week, Aug.12-18. In other regional fisheries, hatchery steelhead catches are still good on the Cowlitz River (averaging nearly half a fish per rod last week). They were even better at Drano Lake, with catches last week averaging 1.2 fish per rod, and the White Salmon River, where catches last week averaged 1.1 steelhead per rod. Warmwater fishers are finding lots of action at John Day Pool, where bass anglers caught an average of 8.6 fish each, included fish released, and walleye fishers averaged catches of 1.6 fish per person, including releases. Rainbow trout fishers were averaging a half fish per rod last week in Mayfield Lake. Anglers are reminded that the lower Columbia River is closed to sturgeon retention.

• Hunting: With the opening of the early archery deer and elk season approaching Sept. 1, hunters are reminded that access to many private lands in the region is restricted due to fire concerns. State Department of Natural Resources lands and national forests are typically open but access to private timberlands is subject to change, says Pat Miller, WDFW district wildlife biologist. Hunters are advised to contact landowners for the latest access information before heading out. The early Canada goose hunting season is coming up Sept. 7-12; hunters planning a trip out are reminded a federal migratory waterfowl stamp is required even when hunting resident birds. Miller advises some advance scouting; most waterfowl are still out on the Columbia River islands.

• Wildlife viewing: A Tweeters website correspondent reports a number of notable bird sightings last week at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, including large numbers of vocal young purple martins, coots, ducks, red-necked phalaropes, greater yellowlegs, dowitchers, western and least sandpipers and killdeer. The 410 haul road on the Cowlitz Wildlife Area was recently the site of a mass movement of Western toadlets. The mass movement usually takes place in late summer and has become an increasingly uncommon sight in the west Cascade lowlands as habitat continues to shrink. Canada geese continue to be widely seen along the east end of Riffe Lake. The geese seemed to be particularly enjoying resting on submerged stumps and large woody debris near shallow water. Great blue herons and osprey have also been spotted at the east end of Riffe Lake.

Eastern Washington:

• Fishing: The Snake River hatchery steelhead catch season begins Sept. 1, when up to two fish can be kept each day. WDFW district fish biologist Glen Mendel explains that, up until the first of the month, all mainstem Snake River steelhead have to be released. But beginning in September, the run of abundant hatchery-marked (missing adipose fin) steelhead will grow and anglers are encouraged to catch them. Mill Creek, from the mouth to Roosevelt Street Bridge in Walla Walla, also opens to hatchery steelhead on the first. Mendel notes that other southeast Washington waters – the Grand Ronde, Touchet, Tucannon and Walla Walla rivers – have been open to hatchery steelheading throughout the summer, as listed in the WDFW rules pamphlet under "trout" or "all game fish." Contrary to popular belief, Mendel says, anglers do NOT have to wait until Nov. 1 to catch steelhead in those rivers; the Nov. 1 season listing is meant to extend steelhead fishing beyond the closure of trout fishing Oct. 31. Mendel also reminds southeast steelheaders that no bait can be used and that barbless hooks are required to help successful releases of wild steelhead that might also be caught. Some of the best southeast Washington steelheading occurs later in October and November, when water temperatures are much cooler. But Mendel says anglers who fish areas of the Snake or other waters where cold water is coming in may be successful. Wenaha River tributaries (Columbia County) close to fishing Aug. 31. Dry fly fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout should pick up on many trout lakes in the central and northern ends of the region with late summer hatches of insects enticing fish to bite. Nice size net-pen reared rainbows and both hatchery and wild kokanee are being caught on Lake Roosevelt. Sherman Creek in Ferry County closes to all fishing Aug. 31.

• Hunting: Black bears may be more widely dispersed than normal, reports WDFW district wildlife biologist Steve Zender, because wild berry production in the high elevations of northeast Washington appears to be relatively spotty and poor. "What this means for bears is they have to find food opportunistically," Zender explains, "like rolling logs and rocks for ants and grubs, seeking elderberry, mountain ash, or fruit trees, or raiding garbage." While there are some high elevation wild berries available and some bears will be concentrated there, hunters may also find bears at all elevations in clearcuts, burns, abondoned orchards and near development, Zender said. "Increased nuisance problems from hungry bears often leads to the perception that the population is exceptionally high, but the biology is actually the opposite," he said. "Cub production following a poor berry year is usually much lower. And we have had some high bear harvests during low berry years in the past, because so many people have tags with our package licensing system and these nuisance bears are more vulnerable." Forest grouse are likely to be found in the cooler, moister areas near springs and streams in the deep woods, Zender says, because it has been so warm and dry. Early archery deer hunters are reminded that mule deer bucks must be at least three antler points, but whitetails can be any deer in game management units 101-124 and three-point minimum or antlerless in units 127-155 and 162-186. WDFW district wildlife biologist Howard Ferguson reports that mourning dove populations appear high in the central part of the region and the forecast for continued warm weather should keep them around for most of the Sept. 1-15 season. Blue Mountains early archery elk hunters have several new areas to pursue: game management units 149 (Prescott) and 163 (Marengo) are open for spike bulls, and 154 (Blue Creek) and 162 (Dayton, excluding the National Forest and Rainwater Wildlife Area) are open for spike bull or antlerless.

• Wildlife viewing: It's time to watch big white birds on Sprague Lake. That's the word from WDFW district wildlife biologist Howard Ferguson who reports that groups of white pelicans and tundra swans are highly visible on the lake now. The birds could be around the general vicinity for awhile, Ferguson says, at least until the first cold front moves them south. It's also a good time to spot groups of buck deer with still-velvety antlers in meadows and woodland openings. Leggy fawns with fading spots are also out and about, not far from groups of does, all feeding nearly full time as daylight hours drop and autumn draws closer. Cow and calf elk groups may be more visible in the Blue Mountains and bulls will begin to bugle (their way of letting other bulls – and cows – know of their superiority) in early September.

North Central Washington:

• Fishing: Summer chinook salmon fishing continues to be productive on the upper Columbia River, between Bridgeport and Brewster, and in the mouth of the Okanogan River. That special season, allowed because of the abundance of fish, runs through Oct. 15. Sinlahekin Creek and Davis Lake in Okanogan County close to fishing Aug. 31. Grimes Lake in Douglas County also closes Aug. 31. Potholes Reservoir fishing for walleye and rainbow trout continues to be fairly productive.

• Hunting: Prospects for forest grouse in Okanogan County are "pretty good," reports WDFW district wildlife biologist Scott Fitkin. "I've seen more broods than usual as I traverse the county," he says. Fitkin also thinks the archery deer hunting opener will be favorable. "The deer population is continuing to grow and we finished last year with a post-season buck/doe ratio of 24:100," he says. That translates to good numbers of available bucks for this season, which have a three-antler-point minimum. On the downside, Fitkin reminds hunters that extremely dry conditions prevail and there are still some wild fires burning. Hunters should check with Okanogan National Forest on the Internet or at (509) 826-3275 or the Wenatchee National Forest on the Internet or at (509) 662-4335 about current restrictions and other rules before going afield.

• Wildlife viewing: Shorebirds are grouping up for south-bound fall migrations and the Columbia Basin is one of the best areas on the eastside to watch them. Between the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and the wildlife lands WDFW owns in Adams and Grant counties, there are plenty of spots to see avocets, curlews, phalaropes, plovers, sandpipers and other shorebirds. Other birds migrating south include hawks, falcons and eagles, which might be seen moving in concentrations along mountain ridges where they save energy by soaring in thermals and updrafts. Known raptor migration routes in the region include Slate Peak and Hart's Pass in Okanogan County and Red Top Mountain between Wenatchee and Ellensburg.

South Central Washington:

• Fishing: The latest Columbia River Hanford Reach chinook salmon creel checks showed low angling effort and low catch rates. WDFW fish biologist Rick Watson reports no summer chinook anglers observed and just one adult fall chinook among 13 rods checked. The sturgeon fishery on the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam closes Aug. 31. Yakima River rainbow trout catch-and-release fishing is productive now for fly fishers using grasshopper imitations and other late hatching insects. The Yakima, along with the Naches, American, and other local rivers and streams, is very low now with drought conditions peaking. That makes for tougher in-stream fishing because fish are more easily disturbed. High lakes in the region are probably still producing catches of eastern brook, rainbowcutthroat trout, although no specific checks have been made recently. Late summer hikes into small wilderness lakes in the Wenatchee National Forest can yield fishing enjoyment, with early September being one of the best times. Be sure to check wildfire restrictions before you go at (509) 662-4335 or on the Internet.

• Hunting: Forest grouse hunters should find birds in the woods of the South Cascades and dove hunters will be productive in the agricultural areas of the Yakima Valley. Early archery deer hunters again have an opportunity to take any deer in Game Management Unit 381, Esquatzel, in Franklin County, rather than a three-antler-point minimum that applies to all other open units. The early archery elk season, Sept. 1-14, again includes Game Management Unit 330, West Bar, in Kittitas County; as in all of this region's units open for this season, only spike bulls or antlerless elk can be taken. All hunters should check with local forest service ranger districts and other land managers about access or fire restrictions before going afield.

• Wildlife viewing: Bull elk begin bugling in early September, so it's not too soon to plan a trip to watch and listen to them. One of the best places for elk bugling in the Yakima area is around Raven's Roost in the Little Naches River drainage in the far northwestern corner of Yakima County (follow Hwy. 410 northwest of Naches). For the best viewing opportunities, arrive just before daylight (or plan to camp in one of the many forest service campgrounds in the area), and walk the Cougar Valley trail. Elk are normally visible on the open hillsides until about 7 a.m., when they move down into timber. Before you go, check with the Wenatchee National Forest trail and road conditions during this intense wildfire season on the Internet or at (509) 662-4335. Birds of prey such as hawks, falcons and eagles might be seen moving in concentrations along mountain ridges where they save energy by soaring in thermals and updrafts. The Saddle Mountains, Yakima Ridge, and Rattlesnake Hills area, near the Columbia River in southcentral Washington are known raptor migration routes.