INVASIVE SPECIES -- A program to prevent a noxious weed from establishing itself along the Snake River watershed in northwest Wyoming is being declared a success. The Jackson Hole Weed Management Association began the project in 2001 after saltcedar — also known as tamarisk —…
TRAILS -- For the first time in its 33 year history, the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association is hiring a new executive director to lead a group that's developed one of the nation's top cross-country and cycling trail systems and associated events and programs. The…
SALMON FISHING -- The Idaho Fish and Game Commission today increased the bag limits on adult chinook salmon in the Clearwater River drainage to two per day and six in possession. The commissioners also set a limited jacks-only season on another section of the upper…
WILDLIFE WATCHING -- Tim O'Brien of Cheney devoted this morning to a hiking and driving birding forayMount Spokane. While we all enjoy seeing and hearing birds when we head to the state park, it's fascinating to see the detail and diversity trained eyes and ears…
STATE PARKS -- Preliminary plans to thin some forest areas in Riverside State Park to reduce fire danger and the spread of bark beetle infestations will be presented at a public meeting tonight, 6 p.m., at the Shadle Park Public Library. Park officials say the…
KID FISHING -- The Umatilla National Forest and Asotin County Sportsmen's Association are celebrating National Fishing Week with two kid fishing derbies on the Washington side of th Blue Mountains next weekend. No fishing license will be needed, but children participating in these events will…
INVASIVE SPECIES -- Mike Wilkinson, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department’s aquatic invasive species biologist, will give a free program focusing on the threat of zebra mussels invading the region’s waters on Tuesday, 7 p.m., at the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council office, 6116 N. Market…
FISHING -- Saturday is Free Fishing Day in Idaho and Washington will double the pleasure by dropping the general fishing license requirement for both Saturday and Sunday. While fishing license requirements will be suspended, all other rules, such as limits or tackle restrictions, remain in…
FISHING -- Here are some of the best bests for catching panfish -- perch, crapppie, bluegills -- in the Idaho Panhandle, according to Jim Fredericks, Idaho Fish and Game Department regional fisheries manager. "We have a lot of great lakes for crappies, bluegill, and perch.…
NATIONAL FORESTS -- An environmental group is vowing to sue the Nez Perce National Forest over allegations the agency is allowing undertreated sewage to be discharged into the Selway River and South Fork of the Red River. Moscow-based Friends of the Clearwater sent letters to…
PADDLING -- Catch the new wave of paddle sports with my Sunday Outdoors feature story about the sport than combines elements of canoeing and surfing. Then consider signing up for one of the special presentations or classes to be offered in Spokane this week by…
FISHING -- Lake Roosevelt's water level was1,235 today and it's likely to remain around that level through the weekend as the big season of runoff water flushes through. But as I went fishing there today, it still seems like you should pack a lunch and…
FISHING -- The Colville Tribe is saying the recent loss of perhaps a million rainbow trout in commercial net pens downstream from Grand Coulee Dam might scuttle the regular release of net pen trout for anglers in Lake Rufus Woods. A story in Northwest Sportsman…
PUBLIC LANDS -- The superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park is leaving to become superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park. Dave Uberuaga (oo-buh-RAH’-guh) told park employees about the move Tuesday in an email. The News Tribune reports Uberuaga started at Mount Rainier in 1984 and…
NORDIC SKIING -- Seeley Lake, Mont., citizens are slowly sliding into the next phase of a project to transform their small, rural community into a national nordic ski destination they say will rival the Methow Valley's sport trail system, which has around 120 MILES of…
HIKING/NATURE -- The Northeast Chapter, Washington Native Plant Society continues to offer a nifty schedule of field trips that combine hiking with nature observation. Check them out and consider joining their group, or at least offering a $5 donation should you tag along on a…
RIVER RUNNING -- Recently I posted a video of the thrills, spills and flips as rafters and catarafters crashed into Lochsa Falls on Memorial Day Weekend. The video was shot from the roadside pull-out off U.S. Highway 12 among the gallery of people on hand…
PUBLIC LANDS -- It's still wintery just a fiew miles up the slopes from the upper St. Joe River valley in any direction, but crews have scraped the debris at least partially off the river road all the way up to Spruce Tree Campground. Warm…
SALMON FISHING -- The Yakima Reservation boundary reach of the Yakima River will open to spring chinook fishing on Friday, the Washington Fish and Wildlfie Department announced this afternoon. The season is set to run through June 30. Read on for details.
PUBLIC LANDS – Saturday is a thrifty time to visit Washington and Oregon national forests that require an access pass for popular recreation sites. In honor of National Trails Day, the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service will waive the fees at sites that…
PUBLIC LANDS -- Motorized Vehicle Use Maps are available for the Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake and Sandpoint Ranger Districts. The maps can be found at Idaho Panhandle National Forests offices along with the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District’s map, which was introduced in 2010. Free…
MOUNTAINEERING -- Ang Dorjee Sherpa reached the 29,036-foot summit at 4 a.m. May 13, marking the 15th time he has completed the feat. “This year wasn’t that great, until May 1,” Ang Dorjee said Tuesday after returning to his home in Richland, Wash. “It was…
ENDANGERED SPECIES -- There's something for everyone to dislike in Washington's revised draft Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. The number of breeding packs needed statewide before endangered species protections could be lifted is increased from nine to 15. Landowners would have few restrictions on shooting…
ADVENTURE RACING -- The seventh annual NIChallenge adventure sprint race is coming up to challnge teams of two or four to a 3-5 hour workout that involves paddling, trail running and mountain biking, special challenges and navigation trials. When: 9 a.m., June 18 Where: At…
SALMON FISHING -- Copper River salmon are making their annual splash in restaurants around the region, bringing in staggering prices of $30 a pound in West Side markets. Experts I've contacts say it's basically a successful marketing strategy. "A Copper River chinook salmon is not…
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.
