Shrimp fishing season is set to begin May 4 and last a day to multiple weeks longer than usual, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced this week.
Recreational shrimp anglers will also get a larger share of the nontribal shrimp harvest (70 percent instead of 50 percent) this season, thanks to the state’s updated policy.
“Recreational shrimp fishers will see a real difference in the length of this year’s seasons, particularly in the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca,” WDFW shellfish manager Rich Childers said in a prepared statement. “Sport fisheries in other areas are also likely to pick up some extra fishing days under the updated policy.”
SALT WATER
South Sound: Zittel’s Johnson Point Marina reports there aren’t many anglers heading out, but those who are trying are catching small blackmouth.
The staff at the Point Defiance Boathouse Marina recommends trolling Dalco Passage on the incoming tide and the clay banks and slag pile on the outgoing tide.
North Sound: Blackmouth fishing is a bit slow, but many anglers are still landing them.
Razor clams: The next razor clam dig is tentatively scheduled for March 28-31 at Twin Harbors and March 29-30 at Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks.
Public meeting: The WDFW will hold a public meeting Tuesday in Olympia to discuss this year’s salmon returns and potential South Puget Sound fishing seasons.
The 6 p.m. meeting will be held in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia.
Among the topics will be forecasts for recreational salmon fisheries in the Puyallup and Nisqually rivers.
RIVERS
Columbia: The river above Bonneville Dam opens today for spring chinook fishing. Anglers are catching a few spring chinook and winter steelhead on the lower river. The Dalles and John Day pools are producing some walleye and sturgeon.
Chehalis: Anglers are starting to report better luck here.
LAKES
American: Dock anglers are doing best, David Anderson of Bill’s Boathouse said this week. Kokanee aren’t biting yet, but anglers using worms or yellow and green power eggs with a long leader are catching rainbows.
Spanaway: Bud Herlitzka of the Spanaway Park Boat House said there are several ways to catch fish right now. Use worms and marshmallows from the dock. Still-fishing with PowerBait is scoring rainbows and browns. Trolling at a depth of 15 feet is working. And fly-fishing is starting to improve for those using blood worm and chironomid patterns.
Offut: Anglers are reporting catching their limits here.
Washington: Cutthroat are biting.
Stevens: Some kokanee are biting even though the fishing is typically slow this time of year.
Chelan: Anton Jones of Darrell and Dad’s Family Guide Service recommends trolling the trench with Worden Lures U20 Flatfish in purple glow and Silver Horde’s Kingfisher Lite spoons.
Roses: The rainbow trout are biting for bank anglers and trollers, Jones said.
Rufus Woods: Rainbows are biting for those “pulling Rapalas over humps,” Jones said. “Otherwise try still-fishing with that Pautzke’s Firebait.”
Seep lakes: Fishing remains good in these lakes near Potholes Reservoir. Anglers are catching their limits of rainbows, said Levi Meseberg of Mardon Resorts. Meseberg recommends trying Upper Goose, Blythe and Corral lakes. Still-fishing with bait is working best.
craig.hill@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure
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