For many hunters, early September marks the start of hunting opportunities, including bow-hunting for deer and a statewide season for forest grouse.

For anglers, it's often a time of red-hot salmon fishing at Buoy 10 near the mouth of the lower Columbia River, new fisheries opening from the Puyallup River to the Yakima River and the end of the summer crabbing season in many areas of Puget Sound.

And, for anyone planning to spend time outdoors, it is also a time to be mindful of restrictions on open fires and possible access closures. With several major wildfires now burning around the state, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and many other public and private landowners have banned open fires on the lands they own or manage.

"Hunters and others recreating outdoors need to check access restrictions before heading out and they should be prepared to use camp stoves rather than open fires," said Mark Quinn, WDFW lands division manager. "We urge everyone to take extra caution with anything that could start a fire outdoors."

Before going afield, hunters and others can check area conditions by calling the Washington Department of Natural Resources toll-free fire information line (800-323-BURN) or the department's webpage (http://www.dnr.wa.gov/fire/index.html).

Archers will take to the field Sept. 1 to hunt deer in selected game management units throughout the state. The statewide hunting season for forest grouse also gets under way that day. Hunters preparing for the popular high buck hunt Sept. 15-25 in wilderness areas of northcentral Washington should be aware of specific closures in the Tripod Complex in Okanogan County, the site of the state's largest wildfire. See the northcentral regional report below for details.

Salmon fishing has been slow at Buoy 10 near the mouth of the Columbia River, just as it was last year until the fourth week of August. Then, in just seven days of fishing, anglers caught 5,700 chinook. "The fishery could break loose at any time," said Joe Hymer, a WDFW fish biologist. See the regional reports below for other new fishing options opening Sept. 1, including those on the Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, Skagit, Puyallup, Yakima and Snake rivers.

Recreational crabbers, meanwhile, should be aware that the summer fishery will close for a catch assessment in many areas of Puget Sound after the Labor Day weekend. Prior to the closure, the fishery will be open Sunday, Sept. 3 and Monday, Sept. 4 during the holiday weekend in eight marine areas where crabbing is usually restricted to Wednesdays through Saturdays.

Waters scheduled to close Sept. 4 at one hour past sunset include marine areas 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 7 South (San Juan Islands), 8-1 (Deception Pass to East Point), 8-2 (East Point to Possession Point), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton), 11 (Tacoma/Vashon) and 12 (Hood Canal). In early October, WDFW will announce the reopening of waters where the catch has not met area quotas. Areas not affected by the closure include marine areas 4, 5 and 13 and the eastern and northern portions of Marine Area 7, where crabbing will continue on the summer schedule.

For additional information on current fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the state, see the regional reports below.

North Puget Sound

• Fishing: The Lake Washington sockeye fishery wrapped up Sunday (Aug. 20) and anglers have turned their attention to saltwater, where coho and chinook catches continue to look good in parts of Puget Sound.

  Anglers in Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) are finding salmon outside of Inner Elliot Bay, which closed Sunday (Aug. 20). Creel checks at the Armeni boat ramp indicate 278 anglers hooked 117 chinook and 19 coho on Aug. 18, while 325 anglers were checked with 73 chinook and 20 coho the following day.

  "It's not as hot as it was in June," said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fisheries biologist. "But anglers in Sinclair Inlet are pulling in some nice chinook and the resident coho catch at Jefferson Head continues to be decent."

  In Marine Area 10, anglers fishing outside the boundaries of the Sinclair Inlet fishery have a daily limit of two salmon, with no minimum size limit, and must release chinook and chum salmon. Anglers fishing the Sinclair Inlet fishery also have a daily limit of two salmon and must release chum, but can keep chinook measuring at least 22 inches.

  The chinook catch in Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands) continues to be steady, Thiesfeld said. But marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner) and 9 (Admiralty Inlet) have all been slow for salmon. "Until we get a good push of fish into Puget Sound from the ocean, we will probably continue to see spotty fishing in marine areas 8-1, 8-2 and 9," he said.

  Anglers are encouraged to check out the regulations for each fishery in WDFW's 2006/2007 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).

  Recreational crabbers should be aware that the summer fishery will close for a catch assessment in many areas of Puget Sound after the Labor Day weekend. Prior to the closure, crab fishing will remain open Sunday, Sept. 3 and Monday, Sept. 4 during the holiday weekend in eight marine areas where crabbing is usually restricted to Wednesdays through Saturdays. Waters scheduled to close Sept. 4 at one hour past sunset include marine areas 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 7 South, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11 (Tacoma/Vashon) and 12 (Hood Canal).

  The eastern and northern portions of Marine Area 7 remain open through Sept. 30. Those two portions of marine area 7 also are open Wednesday through Saturday each week, plus the entire Labor Day weekend. In early October, WDFW will announce the reopening of waters where the catch has not met area quotas. See WDFW's sport-crabbing website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/) for more information.

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

  The coonstripe and pink shrimp fishery also is open throughout the region, and shrimpers can drop a pot in marine areas 8-1, 8-2, the northern and central portions of area 7 and a portion of area 9. Details on the fishery are available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crabreg/.

  Freshwater salmon anglers will have more opportunities beginning Sept. 1, when portions of the Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and Skagit rivers open for salmon fishing.

  "Anglers might be able to find some early coho in those rivers," said Chad Jackson, WDFW fish biologist. "But the coho fishery really doesn't start to heat up until around the end of September."

  Salmon anglers planning to fish the Skykomish, Snoqualmie and Stillaguamish rivers will have a daily limit of two salmon measuring at least 12 inches and must release chinook and pink. Anglers fishing the Skagit River will be allowed three salmon daily measuring at least 12 inches, and must release chinook. Jackson reminds anglers to check WDFW's 2006/2007 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for more information on those and other river fisheries in the region.

  Elsewhere, Lake Sammamish recently opened for salmon fishing, with a daily limit of two salmon measuring at least 12 inches. All sockeye must be released, and salmon fishing is closed within 100 yards of the mouth of Issaquah Creek.

• Hunting: Hunting seasons for bear and cougar continue in the region. Hunters are allowed two cougar during the hunting season, which runs through March 15, 2007. Hunters are also allowed two bear during the 2006 general season (Aug. 1-Nov. 15), but only one bear can be taken in eastern Washington.

  Early archery seasons are set to begin in select western Washington Game Management Units. The early deer season starts Sept. 1, while the elk season gets going Sept. 8.

  Also opening Sept. 1 are the statewide forest grouse and dove hunting seasons. Before heading out, hunters are encouraged to check out the 2006 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm) and the 2006-2007 Waterfowl and Upland Game Regulation pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/water.htm) for details.

• Wildlife viewing: A baby orca that recently went missing turned up Aug. 20 much to the delight of whale watchers in the region. The adventurous calf, known as K-41, was spotted several days after disappearing from its pod. Whale watchers in the region worried the baby killer whale had died. But those fears were erased when the juvenile was spotted with its mother, K-22, a 19-year-old female named Sekiu. The two whales are members of Puget Sound's resident orca pods, which are listed for protection under the state and federal endangered species laws. About 90 orcas make up Puget Sound's resident J, K and L pods.

  Orcas weren't the only whales making news in the San Juans. One and possible two gray whales were spotted near Eagle Point, feeding in the shallow part of a nearby cove, an observer reported to the Orca Network (http://www.orcanetwork.org/sightings/map.html).

  Elsewhere in the region, birders found plenty to observe. One birder reporting to Tweeters website (http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/) visited the Skagit Wildlife Area and spotted several , a warbling vireo, a few Swainson's thrushes and a female wood duck.

South Sound/Olympic Peninsula

• Fishing: While ocean salmon fishing has been hit or miss, several rivers around the area open for salmon angling Sept. 1, providing a range of new fishing options. Meanwhile, recreational crabbers should bear in mind that in many areas of Puget Sound will close to crab fishing after the Labor Day weekend.

  Salmon fishing off the Pacific coast has been up and down the past two weeks, according to Wendy Beeghley, WDFW fish biologist. "It's been day by day and unpredictable," she said. "One day will be good, another not so."

  Ilwaco (Marine Area 1) continued to have the coast's highest catch rates during the week of Aug. 13-19, averaging about one fish per angler, mostly coho. In Westport (Marine Area 2), the count was about three-quarters of a fish per angler. Two coho were caught for every one chinook.

  In LaPush (Marine Area 3) anglers averaged nearly a fish per rod; about half were chinook. But Neah Bay (Marine Area 4) saw only one-third fish per person. Almost all were coho.

  Salmon fishing is open seven days a week on the coast, where anglers may keep up to two chinook as part of the two-fish daily limit. Minimum size is 24 inches for chinook and 16 inches for hatchery coho. Wild coho must be released. Salmon fishing is scheduled to continue through Sept. 17 in marine areas 2, 3 and 4, and through Sept. 30 in Marine Area 1.

  The chinook fishery closed Aug. 21 in Marine Area 5 and the western portion of Marine Area 6 in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. With that closure in effect, anglers must now release all chinook, wild coho and chum they catch anywhere in marine areas 5 and 6.

  On the other hand, several rivers around the region will open to salmon fishing beginning Sept. 1. One of the most popular is likely to be the Puyuallup River in Pierce County, according the Hal Michael, WDFW fish biologist. "There's a lot of anticipation because they're catching fish in Commencement Bay and those should be heading into the river," he said. The daily limit is six fish; no more than two adults may be kept. All wild adult chinook must be released.

  Other rivers opening Sept. 1 include the Carbon River in Pierce County; Copalis River, Van Winkle Creek and Joe Creek in Grays Harbor County; and Niawiakum River in Pacific County. Regulations vary, so check the Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for those that apply to specific streams.

  Salmon fishing has been open since July 1 on the Quillayute and Hoh River systems where all wild chinook and coho must be released. Beginning Sept. 1, however, anglers can keep wild fish as part of their daily limit. In the Quillayute system (which includes the Bogachiel, Sol Duc, Calawah and Dickey rivers), anglers can keep two wild coho or chinook as part of their limit of three adult fish, including jacks. The total limit is six fish. On the Hoh, there is also a six-fish limit, but only two can be adults. Beginning Sept. 1, those can be either hatchery or wild.

  Meanwhile, steelhead fishing on the Hoh has been fair, according to David Low, WDFW fish biologist. For the last two weeks, 126 anglers reeled in 79 fish.

  Fly fishing sound like fun? That option continues to be popular with trout anglers on the Deschutes River in Thurston County, according to Hal Michaels. The preferred location is downstream from Pioneer Park and the Henderson Boulevard Bridge, he said.

  There's lots of fishing on the Skokomish River in Mason County as well, where the chinook season runs from Aug. 1 through Sept. 13, said Michaels. Anglers fishing the Skokomish River are reminded that terminal gear (hooks, weights, lures or baits) and lines must not come within 25 feet of tribal gillnets. The new rule is designed to keep recreational fishing gear from getting hung up in tribal nets on the Skokomish River.

  Anglers continue to find chinook in Marine Area 11 (Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge). For instance, at the Point Defiance Boat Ramp, 36 anglers pulled in 25 chinook on Aug. 14. Salmon fishing is also open in marine areas 12 (Hood Canal), 13 (South Puget Sound) and 10 (Bremerton), with a daily limit of two salmon. A hotspot has been the Port Orchard Ramp, where 13 anglers brought in 22 chinook Aug. 18.

  Salmon fishing opens north of Ayock Point in Hood Canal on Sept. 1 with a daily limit of four coho only. Dabob Bay and Quilcene Bay, also part of Marine Area 12 opened for salmon fishing on Aug. 16. "Dabob should be turning on for good fishing any moment," according to Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist.

  Recreational crabbers should be aware that the summer fishery will close for a catch assessment in many areas of Puget Sound after the Labor Day weekend. Prior to the closure, crab fishing will remain open Sunday, Sept. 3 and Monday, Sept. 4 during the holiday weekend in eight marine areas where crabbing is usually restricted to Wednesdays through Saturdays. Waters scheduled to close Sept. 4 at one hour past sunset include marine areas 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 7 South (San Juan Islands), 8-1 (Deception Pass to East Point), 8-2 (East Point to Possession Point), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton), 11 (Tacoma/Vashon) and 12 (Hood Canal). In early October, WDFW will announce the reopening of waters where the catch has not met area quotas.

  Areas not affected by the closure include marine areas 4, 5 and 13, where crabbing will continue seven days per week through Feb. 28.

  It's a tradition-the Kids Fishing Catch and Release Pond will be back at the Puyallup Fair this year. Look for it all three weekends, Fri.-Sun., beginning Sept. 8. The pond will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Kids 12 and under can drop a line for catchable-sized rainbow trout provided by the Puyallup hatchery.

• Wildlife viewing: The Tweeters birdwatchers website (http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/) has reported multiple sightings of a snowy egret a the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge in Thurston County recently. Several birders have spotted the regal white bird at various locations near McAllister Creek. The snowy egret is a medium-sized, white heron with a slender, black bill, black legs and yellow feet. At the beginning of the last century, snowy egrets were nearly decimated by hunters seeking their beautiful breeding plumes as fashionable decoration for women's hats. While feeding in shallow areas of ponds or marshes, these birds sometimes use one foot to stir up the bottom to flush their prey into view.

  Meanwhile, area wildlife watchers have reported whale sightings on the Orca Network website (http://www.orcanetwork.org/sightings/map.html#recent). Since Aug. 15, several types of whales have been spotted in both the South Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In Hammersley Inlet and Oakland Bay, near Shelton, one orca was reported and also possibly a humpback whale. Cascadia Research has received several reported sightings of the later and is trying to confirm the identification. Also, whales pods have been observed in Hood Canal twice, south of Triton Point and heading south out of Dabob Bay. A gray whale has been seen by several people along the coastline between Port Angeles and Pillar Point. Other whales spotted in the Strait of late include orca pods and two minkes.

  Why wait until the weekend for birdwatching? Join the weekly Wednesday morning bird walks at the Dungeness River Audubon Center in Sequim. Beginning at 8:30 and led by center director Bob Boekelheide, these free walks are open to beginners and experienced birders alike. For more information, call the center at 360-681-4067.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: Catch rates for summer steelhead continued to rise on the Columbia River and several tributaries through the third week in August, while salmon fishing remained slow at Buoy 10. Anglers picked up a few dozen chinook on the Columbia from Longview to Vancouver that week, but those fishing below the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line averaged just one chinook for every 17.5 rods and one coho for every 21.5 rods.

  But those numbers could improve any day now, said Joe Hymer, WDFW fish biologist, who noted that last year's fishery at Buoy 10 was slow up until the last week in August. Then, anglers caught 5,700 chinook in just seven days of fishing.

  "The fish often arrive with a big push," Hymer said. "The fishery could break loose any time."

  Sampling results for this year's Buoy 10 fishery can be found on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regions/reg5/buoy10.htm.

  Of course, some chinook are already moving up the Columbia River. Near Kalama, 142 boat anglers caught 22 adult chinook during the third week in August. Off the mouth of the Cowlitz River, 181 boat anglers took 13 adult chinook during the same period. Overall, boat anglers fishing downriver from Bonneville Dam averaged an adult chinook for every 10.4 rods, while bank anglers averaged one for every 65.5 rods. Several fish sampled by creel checkers weighed nearly 40 pounds.

  While chinook fishing is on the rise, hatchery steelhead made up the bulk of the catch on the lower Columbia and several tributaries during the third week of August. The clear hotspot was the Cowlitz River, where 46 boat anglers were checked with 42 hatchery steelhead from the Kelso Bridge downstream. At Drano Lake, 145 anglers caught 51 steelhead - and released 21 others - during the same week. Eighteen anglers landed 10 steelies and released five others on the White Salmon River. As usual, anglers are required to release any steelhead with an intact adipose fin, identifying them as a wild fish.

  On the Columbia mainstem, bank anglers fishing just below Bonneville Dam had the highest success rate for hatchery steelhead, averaging one fish for every two rods. Overall, bank anglers fishing in the lower river averaged one steelhead for every 4.3 rods while boat anglers average a fish for every 8.2 rods. Of the nearly 300 boats counted fishing salmon and steelhead Saturday, Aug. 19, the highest concentration was at the mouth of the Cowlitz River.

  Starting Sept. 1, the Elochoman River opens to fishing for fall chinook and hatchery coho. The Grays River - including the west fork - also opens to fishing for hatchery coho that day. Coho counts at Bonneville Dam broke the 100-fish mark Aug. 21, but Hymer recommends waiting until the fall rains arrive for best results on the Elochoman and Grays rivers.

  Meanwhile, all fishing will close in the lower portion of four creeks - Mill, Abernathy, Germany and Coal - near Longview from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31 to protect spawning fall chinook. See the Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for details.

• Hunting: Archers will take to the field Sept. 1 to hunt deer in selected game management units (GMU) throughout the state. The statewide hunting season for forest grouse also gets under way that day.

  Rules for hunting deer vary by area, so archers should be sure to check WDFW's Big Game Hunting pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm) before heading out. In southwest Washington, hunters may take any deer in some areas, but are restricted to bucks only in GMUs 503, 506, 530 and 550. In other areas - including GMUs 574 and 578 - only antlerless deer or those with a minimum of two antler points may be taken.

  Archery deer hunters are also reminded that the popular Grayback GMU has been changed from "588" to "388" to facilitate mule-deer-style management in this area of mixed deer genetics. Accordingly, deer hunters are reminded of the new three-point antler restriction on bucks in the Grayback. Those interested in more details regarding the rational behind this change in management should review, "Frequently Asked Questions: 2006 hunting rules change from Klickitat County Game Management Unit (Grayback)," on the Hunting page of WDFW's website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/faq/muledeer_changefaq.htm).

  Grouse hunters are encouraged to concentrate on areas with brushy deciduous vegetation. The summer has been dry in southwest Washington and the birds will likely be concentrated in riparian areas or on the north sides of hills where moisture keeps vegetation more lush through the summer months. Early in the season, annual broods are likely to remain intact, so continue hunting in areas where a single bird has been located.

  Meanwhile, hunting (without dogs) continues for bear and cougar in southwest Washington and most other areas of the state.

• Wildlife viewing: While songbirds are still in full voice throughout the region, thousands of shorebirds are now joining the refrain. Back from the Arctic, greater yellowlegs, lesser yellowlegs, sandpipers, dowitchers and other species are touching down in marshes and mudflats throughout the region. "Some of the most exciting birding can be had by checking for shorebirds," writes Wilson Cady on Vancouver Audubon's website (http://vancouveraudubon.org/). "Besides the more common species, one should look for vagrants such as ruff, curlew sandpiper, stilt sandpiper or Hudsonian godwit." Vancouver Lake, the Woodland Bottoms and the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge are all good places to spot these birds, although Cady notes that "almost any pond with a muddy shoreline can attract them."

  Birders and others visiting Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Reserve might also spot purple martins sporting bright green leg bands. As Cady explains on the Vancouver Audubon chapter's website, 23 young birds were recently banded for identification at 14 gourd nests provided by Vancouver Audubon for a colony on the Washougal Dike. Cady, who observed the banding operation, also spotted a family group of yellow-breasted chats near the Gibbon's Creek fish ladder, an indication that the birds successfully nested on the refuge. These large members of the warbler family are uncommon west of the Cascades.

  As of Aug. 20, steelhead were still the most common sight through the viewing windows at Bonneville Dam. Nearly 5,000 were counted that day as they passed up the fish ladder on the Washington side, easily outnumbering adult chinook (977), coho (84) and shad (96). But those proportions will change soon, if last year's returns are any indication. Starting Sept. 2, 2005, chinook returns jumped up to 23,215 fish per day and coho to 2,208 as steelhead counts dropped off. To watch this year's returns first-hand, take Washington State Highway 14 east to Milepost 40 (about 5 miles from Stevenson) and turn into the Bonneville Dam visitor center. The visitor center is the glass building at the end of the powerhouse.

Eastern Washington:

• Fishing: Big water is the ticket for these warm but waning days of summer, and the biggest in the eastern region is the Columbia River reservoir off Grand Coulee Dam - Lake Franklin Delano Roosevelt. FDR is producing kokanee and nice-sized rainbow trout, and recent reports from anglers indicate the fish have moved deeper. Use downriggers to fish the 40- to 65-foot depth. Roosevelt's smallmouth bass are very active and relatively easy to catch with some in the 14- to 15-inch range.

  "The action at many of our trout lakes throughout the region should start picking up when summer winds down with lower air and water temperatures," said WDFW District Fish Biologist Chris Donley. "Actually some, like Badger, West Medical, Williams and Fishtrap in Spokane County, have remained pretty good throughout the summer for anglers out really early and late in the day or evening."

  Nighttime kokanee fishing remains good at Loon Lake in southern Stevens County. In the same area, Waitts Lake continues to be a good evening spot to catch rainbows and brown trout, plus some largemouth bass and yellow perch.

  The steelhead season on the Snake River system in the south end of the region opens Sept. 1 with a daily catch limit of three hatchery steelhead (rainbow trout over 20 inches marked with a clipped adipose fin). WDFW District Fish Biologist Glen Mendel of Dayton says the best catches usually come later in the season. He reminds anglers to be sure to release any wild (unmarked) steelhead, and be able to identify fall chinook and coho salmon, which are also in the area and cannot be retained.

  With dry conditions throughout the region, open fires are currently prohibited on all WDFW owned and managed water access sites. Anglers are urged to be extra careful with anything that could start a fire.

• Hunting: Sept. 1 is the start of forest grouse, dove, rabbit and early archery deer hunting seasons. With dry conditions throughout the region, all hunters are urged to be extra careful with anything that could start a fire while hunting and in hunting camps. Open fires are currently prohibited on all WDFW owned and managed lands, so be prepared to use camp stoves. Hunters can check conditions before they go afield by calling the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) toll-free fire information line, 800-323-BURN, or checking county-by-county on DNR's fire information webpage, http://www.dnr.wa.gov/fire/index.html.

  Black bear hunting opens Sept. 5 in northeastern Game Management Units 101-117. Steve Zender, WDFW northeast district wildlife biologist, reports good populations although bears may be widely dispersed and tougher to hunt. "The huckleberries and other fruit-producing shrubs like wild plum, mountain ash, and choke cherry have bumper crops this summer," Zender explained. "So bears are dispersed more than they have been in years when berries are scarce." The good forage also means these bears are in great shape and the outlook for population growth is good, he said. Hunters may want to get out and scout their favorite natural fruit and berry areas, like old homestead orchards, clearcuts, burns, and alpine shrub fields. "In the fall, bears have only one thing on their mind - food. Find it and you are likely to find bears," Zender said.

  WDFW Wildlife Biologist Dana Base also reminds northeast bear hunters to be sure they know the differences between black bears and state and federally protected grizzly bears. "Color and size are not reliable indicators," he said. "Look for the dished face profile, smaller rounded ears, and shoulder hump on grizzlies." Base will be contacting bear hunters in the field with identification information.

• Wildlife viewing: It's huckleberry-picking time in the mountains throughout the region and that means it's also black bear watching time. The north end of the region has one of the highest densities of bears in the state and many of them are feeding on huckleberries and other fruit-producing shrubs like wild plum, mountain ash, and choke cherry. For safe and enjoyable bear watching, let the bears have the berry patch, give them plenty of space, and use binoculars for close-up views, said WDFW Wildlife Biologist Dana Base.

  "Food and garbage management is another way to avoid problems with bears," Base said. "Whether you're a visitor camping in bear country or a resident living in bear country, keep food and garbage securely away from bears. Use bear-proof garbage containers or locked vehicle trunks. Bears have an incredible sense of smell, so they may still come around, but at least they won't be able to get into the goods."

  Base said he recently watched a black bear foraging around some 50-plus-year- old, unmanaged apple trees at an old homestead site. "One of the trees was loaded with tent caterpillars and I think the bear was going after them even more than the apples," he said.

  With dry conditions throughout the region, all outdoor recreationists are urged to be extra careful with anything that could start a fire while afield. Open fires are currently prohibited on all WDFW owned and managed lands, so be prepared to use camp stoves. Check conditions by calling the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) toll-free fire information line, 800-323-BURN, or checking county-by-county on DNR's fire information webpage, http://www.dnr.wa.gov/fire/index.html.

North Central Washington:

• Fishing: Chinook salmon fishing has slowed down a bit on the Columbia River near the Brewster/Bridgeport area, said Bob Jateff, WDFW district fish biologist. "But the fish that have been caught are still in good shape and running 15 to 20 pounds," he said. "Farther up the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers, fishermen are starting to pick up a few chinook with lures and bait." Jateff reminds anglers that a non-buoyant lure restriction is in effect for the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers during the salmon season.

  "The Methow River is producing some good cutthroat trout for fly fishermen," Jateff said. Selective gear rules are in effect for this fishery, which closes Sept. 30. Be prepared for smoky conditions on the river due to wildfires north of Winthrop.

  Jateff also noted that Campbell and Cougar lakes in Okanogan County are scheduled to open for a catch-and-keep season on Sept. 1, but due to the fires in the Methow Valley area, road closures are in effect. Contact the U.S. Forest Service Methow Ranger District at 509-996-4000 for further information about access to these fishing lakes.

  "Bluegills are still being caught in Leader Lake in the Omak area and yellow perch up to 10 inches are numerous in Patterson Lake in the Winthrop area," Jateff said. "Rainbow trout fishing in Big Twin Lake should pick up as the month of September approaches and lake water temperatures start to drop." Big Twin is a selective gear lake with a one fish daily limit.

  In the region's Columbia Basin, WDFW District Fish Biologist Jeff Korth said water temperatures are cooling. "I have not heard much yet about angling success on Basin waterways, but things will be cranking up soon for those who want to be the first in line for some good early fall fishing," he said. Walleye at Moses Lake and Potholes Reservoir are traditionally good fall fisheries, along with smallmouth and largemouth bass.

  With dry conditions throughout the region, open fires are currently prohibited on all WDFW owned and managed water access sites. Anglers are urged to be extra careful with anything that could start a fire.

• Hunting: Sept. 1 is the start of forest grouse, dove, rabbit and early archery deer hunting seasons. With dry conditions throughout the region, all hunters are urged to be extra careful with anything that could start a fire while hunting and in hunting camps. Open fires are currently prohibited on all WDFW owned and managed lands, so be prepared to use camp stoves. Hunters can check conditions before they go afield by calling the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) toll-free fire information line, 800-323-BURN, or checking county-by-county on DNR's fire information webpage, http://www.dnr.wa.gov/fire/index.html.

  Hunters planning to participate in the popular Sept.15-25 high buck hunt in wilderness areas in the north end of the region should take note of specific closures in the area of the 120,000-plus-acre Tripod Complex wildfires. The Okanogan and Wenatchee national forests have closed the eastern portion of the Pasayten Wilderness Area from the Chewuch Trail (510) east to the forest boundary. Additional trail closures are in place west and south of that location, and all will remain in effect until further notice. For additional information on the Tripod Complex wildfires see http://www.inciweb.org/incident/341/. For details on closures see http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/oka/fire/closure, or call the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest at 509-826-3795, Methow Ranger District at 509-996-4000, or Tonasket Ranger District at 509-486-2186.

  So far the Tripod Complex wildfires do not involve WDFW's Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in northeast Okanogan County, but area manager Dale Swedberg advises hunters to be prepared for lots of smoke. "Most of the time it is smoky throughout the Sinlahekin Valley," he said. "I think the closures and access restrictions and smoke are going to be impacting hunters even through October or at least until we get several days of continuous rain or snow."

• Wildlife viewing: Late summer is a good time to watch birds on the southwest end of Sprague Lake in northeast Adams County from WDFW's water access site and viewing area off Danekas Road. (From Interstate 90 eastbound, take the Tokio exit and follow Danekas Road about six miles.) White pelicans and tundra swans are often highly visible on the lake now and could be around the general vicinity for a while, at least until the first cold front moves them south. Some of the west end of the lake has long been a "Game Reserve" that provides an integral part of a waterfowl sanctuary network on the eastside of Washington. Throughout the year, the lake is used by Canada geese and dabbling ducks, such as mallard, gadwall and cinnamon teal, and diving ducks like redhead, ruddy duck and lesser scaup. At times, it has the largest concentration of canvasback in Eastern Washington. Harper Island, just across from the WDFW boat launch, is a nesting area for gulls, ducks, and geese, and at this time of year can become a gathering spot for migrants. The extensive cattail/bulrush marsh and shrub and tree patches on the west shoreline supports a diversity of birds, from marsh wrens to northern harriers.

  With dry conditions throughout the region, all outdoor recreationists are urged to be extra careful with anything that could start a fire while afield. Open fires are currently prohibited on all WDFW owned and managed lands, so be prepared to use camp stoves. Check conditions before going by calling the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) toll-free fire information line, 800-323-BURN, or checking county-by-county on DNR's fire information webpage, http://www.dnr.wa.gov/fire/index.html.

South Central Washington:

• Fishing: The Yakima River salmon fishery opens Sept.1 from the Highway 240 bridge upstream to 400 feet below Prosser Dam and from the Highway 223 bridge at Granger upstream to Sunnyside (Parker) Dam. Daily limit is six salmon, but no more than two adults (24 inches or more if chinook, 20 inches or more if coho) may be retained. All areas of the Yakima River are closed to angling for steelhead, hatchery or wild. Most of the salmon catch will occur later in September, says WDFW Fish Biologist Jim Cummins.

  "The same goes for the Hanford Reach," he said, referring to that portion of the Columbia River near the Tri-Cities that opened for salmon fishing Aug.16. "The salmon really don't start biting there until late September."

  Meanwhile anglers are picking up a little bit of everything else on the Columbia, including bass, pikeminnow, sturgeon and walleye.

  Other southcentral region rivers and streams continue to provide good trout fishing. The Yakima River heads the list, Cummins said, but the Naches, Little Naches, and Bumping rivers in Yakima County, and the upper reaches of Taneum Creek, Naneum Creek, Manastash Creek, and the Forks of the Teanaway in Kittitas County are good bets. Cummins noted most rivers and creeks have special regulations like selective gear rules that prohibit bait. Most also have statewide trout catch limits of two trout with an 8-inch minimum size. Anglers should check the regulation pamphlet for all details.

  "We have received reports that anglers are illegally targeting bull trout at Bumping Reservoir," Cummins said. "Bumping and other waters are closed to fishing for bull trout, which will start spawning the last several days of August in several creeks and will be spawning into October in the north half of the region." Some streams and small creeks also have seasonal or year-round closures to protect bull trout, including part of North Fork Ahtanum Creek, all of Shellneck Creek, lower reaches of South Fork Tieton River, Bear and Indian creeks (Rimrock Lake tributaries), lower Box Canyon Creek (Kachess Lake tributary) , the lower reaches of Deep Creek (Bumping Lake tributary), Gold Creek (Keechelus Lake tributary) and lower Union Creek (American River tributary).

  With dry conditions throughout the region, open fires are currently prohibited on all WDFW owned and managed water access sites. Anglers are urged to be extra careful with anything that could start a fire.

• Hunting: Sept. 1 is the start of forest grouse, dove, rabbit and early archery deer hunting seasons. With dry conditions throughout the region, all hunters are urged to be extra careful with anything that could start a fire while hunting and in hunting camps. Open fires are currently prohibited on all WDFW owned and managed lands, so be prepared to use camp stoves. Hunters can check conditions before they go afield by calling the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) toll-free fire information line, 800-323-BURN, or checking county-by-county on DNR's fire information webpage, http://www.dnr.wa.gov/fire/index.html.

  Perry Harvester, WDFW habitat program manager, said local conditions should alert hunters to start thinking about alternative places to hunt. "It's really dry and it looks like it's going to remain that way," he said. "Both public and private land managers are restricting access to prevent wildfire problems. To avoid frustration, check if the area you usually hunt will be open before making the trip, and if not, start planning to go someplace else."

  So far the major wildfires burning in Washington this season have not involved WDFW lands. The open fire ban on WDFW lands will likely extend at least through September, although many popular wildlife areas, like Oak Creek, have a standing rule and are posted for no open fires through October 15.

• Wildlife viewing: Ken Bevis, WDFW habitat biologist, reports that fall bird movements are in full swing. "Nighthawks will be leaving any day now," Bevis said. "Watch for flocks flying high near sunset. And neotropical birds such as warblers and vireos are following summer, moving through the region on their way south." Bevis notes that many hummingbirds migrate south at higher elevations along the Cascades Crest. "The meadows around Chinook pass are a great place to view late season hummers," he said. "Some people in the lowlands wonder why they don't see them in the fall like they do in the spring. The clue to the mystery is to think where flowers are blooming now. Many hummers move down the mountains sipping nectar as they go."

  With dry conditions throughout the region, all outdoor recreationists are urged to be extra careful with anything that could start a fire while afield. Open fires are currently prohibited on all WDFW owned and managed lands, so be prepared to use camp stoves. Check conditions before going by calling the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) toll-free fire information line, 800-323-BURN, or checking county-by-county on DNR's fire information webpage, http://www.dnr.wa.gov/fire/index.html.