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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hunting+Fishing

Alan Liere The Spokesman-Review

Trout

Fishing at Waitts Lake in southern Stevens County comes to an end Feb. 29, but just down the road, Deer Lake opens March 1 – the first non-general opener for Deer Lake in recent history. It should provide excellent fishing for lake trout if anglers can safely reach them. Also opening for the first time on March 1 will be Liberty, Downs and Medical.

“Most lakes in the region are still iced over, but some may not necessarily be safe for ice fishing,” said Chris Donley, WDFW district fish biologist. “Weather forecasts indicate more above-freezing days with below-freezing nights, and rain more likely than snow. Lake surfaces may be thawing and refreezing, and fishing that opens March 1 may be delayed until there’s more open water.” Included are lakes such as Amber, Coffeepot, the Columbia County impoundments off the Tucannon River and numerous Columbia Basin lakes.

Rock Lake is producing mixed limits of rainbow and brown trout to spin anglers throwing lures or flies near shoreline in the bays, but trollers are also taking fish dragging Rapalas. The fish have ranged form 14-22 inches.

Hog Canyon has been getting little pressure because of the long, icy walk in. Reports indicate good ice and numerous trout 8-14 inches. Fourth of July is far more accessible and the ice is holding. Rainbow trout ice fishing opportunities in Okanogan County continue to be good at Rat Lake near Brewster, Davis Lake near Winthrop, and Big and Little Green lakes near Omak.

Lake Roosevelt trout anglers are having their best success from shore, but trollers are having some success near Lincoln and Swawilla Bay where some large kokanee have been caught this week.

You can find the current water level on Lake Roosevelt by calling 1-800-824-4916. On Thursday, it was at 1,261, which means the major ramps are useable. You can still launch at Fort Spokane until the water level drops to less than 1,247; at Kettle Falls, the magic number is 1,234; Keller is 1,229; Seven-Bays is 1227; Spring Canyon is 1,222. The lake is targeted to be at 1,237 by May 1.

Steelhead and salmon

Clearwater River steelhead anglers have averaged approximately a fish every 15 hours recently. The best fishing in the Snake River system has been the Salmon River from the Middle Fork to the Lemhi River, where the average is a fish every six hours.

The mainstem Columbia spring chinook fishery is open from Buoy 10 to the I-5 Bridge but will close for salmon, steelhead and shad Monday through March 23 before the new regulations take effect.

WDFW district fish biologist Bob Jateff of Omak reported steelhead fishing is starting to pick up on the upper Columbia River system.

Spiny ray

Walleye fishing continues to improve on the Columbia near Brewster as the water temperatures go up. Jigs tipped with night crawlers are the top bait this time of year, but the fish are still lethargic and will not chase a bait. You must fish a hole thoroughly to entice a bite.

A few walleye anglers are also finding some decent fishing out of Fort Spokane in Lake Roosevelt. They report an extremely light, lethargic bite in approximately 20 feet of water. Work jigs or drop shot slowly and stay with the school.

Access at Idaho’s Rose Lake is much improved, and a few pike are coming through thick ice. At Fernan, anglers are having a hard time finding a consistent perch bite. It is possible the fish are moving shallower in preparation for spawning at ice out.

Walleye fishing is picking up on the Columbia River pools with the best bite at The Dalles.

Other species

A razor-clam dig has been approved for March 7-12 at one ocean beach and March 8-9 at another. The proposed six-day razor clam dig will open on evening tides March 7-8, then switch to morning tides March 9-12. Twin Harbors will be open for digging on all six days, while Long Beach will open on March 8-9 only.

Sturgeon fishing is picking up on the Columbia River. Weekend checks showed a few legals and numerous sublegals.

This is a good time to go after burbot. Try near inlets such as the mouth of the Colville and Hawk Creek

Hunting

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday that it has filed with the Federal Register the final rule that would remove gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains from the endangered species list. With 1,500 wolves and 100 breeding pairs, the wolf population has far exceeded its recovery goal.

WDFW is accepting applications for spring black bear hunting permits through March 13. To be eligible for a permit, hunters must purchase a special permit application and a 2008 hunting license that includes bear as a species option. A drawing will be held in mid-March for 295 permits in western Washington and 235 permits on the east side of the state. Successful applicants will be notified by March 31.