Hunting & Fishing

Fri., Feb. 8, 2008

Alan Liere Correspondent

Tip of the week

When using light baits, especially with braided line, it is a good idea to check the reel spool to see if it has become mushy. If it has, remove a good portion of the line and respool, keeping it under tension.

Braggin' rights

At their 32nd annual Convention and Sport Show, Feb. 21-24 in Atlanta, the National Wild Turkey Federation will honor WDFW officer Mike Jewell as Washington State Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. By earning the State Wildlife Officer of the Year award, Jewell and other state winners are eligible for the NWTF's National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award.

Overheard

Idaho Wolves are slated to be de-listed at the end of this month, and if they are, the Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game is ready to set seasons for this year. However, they also expect lawsuits to be filed challenging the decision.

Heads up

The Northwest Ice Fishing Festival will be held Feb. 16 at Sidley Lake near Molson. Sponsored by the Oroville Chamber of Commerce and Molson Grange, registration is 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Molson Grange Hall or at the office on the lake. The cost to enter is $20 for adults, $10 for kids 14 and younger, with prizes awarded. Info: Robin Stice, (509) 485-4002.

“The First Annual Great Western Sportfishing Show will run Feb. 29 and March 1-2 at the Spokane Convention Center. With seminars, a casting pool, a fly-tying theater and virtual reality fishing, the show will offer something for everyone.

“Most people who try to get close to wildlife in the winter to view them have no idea of the harm they are inflicting. Even if the animal doesn't immediately run away, the stress of having humans or dogs close burns valuable calories. If the animal runs, an incredible amount of valuable energy has been wasted. Be responsible with your snow machines and keep your dogs at home.

Ice fishing, Idaho

Spokane ice fisherman Greg Cozza said an early weekday ice fishing expedition to Idaho’s Rose Lake was “more than a little tough.” He reported a lot of snow and slush on top of 14 inches of ice and an anemic bite. Cozza also tried Fernan Lake and had a similar report. He suggested anyone venturing out wear high-top rubber boots as the weight of the snow presses the ice and when a hole is drilled, water comes out quickly, adding to the slop on top.

Upper Twin, where anglers have had decent fishing for perch this winter, is reported to have 4 feet of snow.

Ice fishing, Washington

Hog Canyon and Fourth of July still have plenty of trout, though the BLM gate near the shoreline on Hog Canyon had to be closed and locked because people were getting vehicles stuck. Anglers must make a long walk in from the upper parking lot. Hog Canyon trout range from 7-15 inches. Some days, it seems all you can catch are little ones. On other days, the bulk of the catch will average 11 inches. A recent creel check at Fourth of July Lake found that anglers have been catching the most rainbow at the far south end of the lake.

Eloika and Newman lake perch and sunfish have provided consistent action since the ice became safe. The fish aren’t big, but you can usually catch enough for a meal or two.

Roses Lake near Chelan is providing steady action for rainbows through the ice. Bob Jateff, WDFW fish biologist from Omak, said the best lakes for rainbow are Rat, Big and Little Green and Davis, while Patterson Lake is good for perch. Perch fishing is also reported to be good at Fish Lake in Chelan County.

The Coulee City boat basin is a good spot for perch, but the big ones are still scarce. There is a foot or more of ice in the basin, and slightly less on Banks proper where anglers are taking whitefish through the ice.

Open-water opportunities

Grand Coulee Dam is running a lot of water, and the heavy flow and drop in water level has negatively affected trout fishing on both Lake Roosevelt and Rufus Woods. It is hoped that when Roosevelt is at low pool, fish will become more concentrated and the bite will improve. Some of the Roosevelt boat launches froze up in January, but most are ice-free. Friends recently launched at both Kettle Falls and Lincoln. Take a shovel for the snow berms.

Walleye anglers are finding the best and closest bite on Rufus Woods, but the water is running too hard for easy fishing. Though the Rufus triploid bite has slowed somewhat, it is still the best show in town. Flies, bait, plugs or spinners – your choice.

There are reports that whitefish fishing is good in the Yakima River. These fish often run 14 to 18 inches in length, with some larger.

Fly fishers are also after rainbow trout in the Yakima River, but there is about 4 miles of the river from Roza Dam upstream that are frozen, and there’s shoreline shelf ice everywhere.

Steelhead

Clearwater steelheaders drifting eggs have had some excellent days this week. The weather near Lewiston has been much nicer than that closer to Spokane, and the big B-run fish are showing again. The best bite has been from dawn to noon, with anglers between the mouth and Orofino averaging a fish every seven hours.

According to several guides, the Snake River is still fishing better than it has for several years this late in the season. Anglers are averaging a fish every nine hours.

The Grande Ronde near Boggan’s Oasis was jammed with ice earlier in the week, but it is running clear now. There should be a lot of fish for the weekend.

Steelhead fishing above Wells Dam on the upper Columbia River has been slow because of cold temperatures and icy conditions.

On the lower Columbia River below the I-5 Bridge, effort is light although anglers are catching a few winter steelhead from the beaches.

Other species

On the Washington coast, Twin Harbors will open for four late-evening razor clam digs through Saturday, and Long Beach will open Friday and Saturday only. The digs were approved after marine toxin tests showed the clams were safe to eat.

Hunting

Washington deer and elk hunters have until March 31 to enter their name in a drawing for a 2008 multiple-season permit. In April, WDFW will draw names for 1,500 multiple-season deer permits and 500 multiple-season elk permits. Winners will be eligible to purchase a special permit allowing them to participate in archery, muzzleloader and modern-firearm general hunting seasons for deer or elk in 2008. Winners of the multiple-season elk permit will also be able to participate in general elk-hunting season in both eastern and western Washington. Rather than having to choose one hunting method over another, hunters drawn for a multiple-season permit can participate in all three seasons. For more information, call (866) 246-9453.

IDFG biologist Jim Hayden said it’s likely this winter will be in the top 10 percent for snowpack in the Idaho Panhandle. Animals with any kind of ailment or injury are going to be lucky to make it through.

In Idaho’s Upper Snake Region, Fish and Game has begun preparation for feeding operations at select locations to address the needs of wildlife and the safety of humans. Herd survival, human safety and disease transmission are the driving factors in selecting wildlife populations to be fed.

Coyote hunters in Washington are finding their quarry this winter in the scablands and sagebrush from Sprague to Moses Lake. They’re getting a little spooky, however, and crunchy snow makes it difficult to spot and stalk. Good callers who can also shoot have taken as many as six song dogs in a day.