RIVERS
Columbia: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife recently announced the Columbia River and tributaries between the Bonneville and The Dalles dams will open for white sturgeon fishing Tuesday through Feb. 10. Also, starting Tuesday barbless hooks will be required on a large portion of the Columbia River.
Cowlitz: There have been reports of some success. Monday is the last day of fishing on the Mill Creek tributary.
Kalama: Anglers are landing some steelhead according to a WDFW report.
Lewis: Some fall chinook are being caught but few are being kept.
Olympic Peninsula: Fishing has been slow.
Skykomish: Fishing has been much slower than normal.
Snoqualmie: Anglers putting in their time and floating the river have caught some steelhead.
Washougal: Many of the steelhead caught have been wild, meaning they must be released.
SALT WATER
Tacoma: The Point Defiance Boathouse Marina reported Friday that fishing in the area is improving thanks to calmer weather. Most of the fish are being caught trolling flashers and spoon. Want to get closer to the fish? The Point Defiance docks will be the site of a polar bear plunge at noon Tuesday (11:30 a.m. for kids 10 and younger).
South Sound: Crabbing is open south of the Narrows Bridges through Dec. 31. Winter catch reports are due Feb. 1. There is a $10 fine for failing to submit one.
North Sound: Fishing has been good around the San Juan Islands but otherwise mediocre. Mike Chamberlain of Ted’s Sports Center in Lynnwood said some anglers are having luck catching blackmouth near Jefferson Head and in the Saratoga Passage.
Clamming: The final razor clam dig of the year started Friday at Twin Harbors. The dig continues through Monday. You can also dig today through Monday at Long Beach and Mocrocks or Sunday and Monday at Copalis.
“Razor clam digging on New Year’s Eve has become a tradition for many Washingtonians,” said Dan Ayres, WDFW’s coastal shellfish manager. “The tides aren’t conducive to a holiday dig every year, but they’re with us this year.”
Diggers are limited to the first 15 clams they dig each day. Each digger must keep their clams in separate containers. A license is required for all diggers 15 and older. Visit wdfw.wa.gov for more information.
LAKES
American: The lake was recently stocked with 3,500 rainbow trout, but David Anderson of Bill’s Boathouse said not many anglers have been on the lake lately.
Goodwin: Chamberlain recommends this lake for trout fishing.
Carlisle: This lake near Onalaska was planted earlier this month with 30 5-pound rainbows and 70 10-pounders.
Klineline Pond: Planted with 2,000 half-pound rainbows on Dec. 17.
Silver: This lake near Castle Rock was planted with 4,000 rainbow trout on Dec. 19.
Sammamish: The action has been inconsistent.
Washington: When the weather allows anglers to get out, they’ve had some success.
Craig Hill:253-597-8497 craig.hill@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure
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