Field reports: Area fishing events geared to kids

FISHING –A trailer full of fishing gear for kids to borrow and use at a nearby trout pond will debut this week in North Idaho.

Idaho Fish and Game’s “Take Me Fishing” trailer is will be stationed at 28 events in May and June, beginning:

• Tuesday, 4-6 p.m., at Post Falls Park,

• Thursday, 4-6 p.m., at Cocolalla Lake,

• Saturday, 1-5 p.m., at Fernan Lake.

Fishing equipment and bait can be checked out for free during the times listed.

Equipment is checked out on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Participants will be granted a permit to fish without a license during the hours of the events, however all other rules apply, such as size limits and species limits.

Idaho children age 13 and under always fish for free.

Info: fishandgame.idaho.gov.

In Washington, a handful of slots might still be available for Saturday’s Kids Fishing event at Clear Lake.

More than 800 kids ages 5-14 already have registered. Call 892-1001 Monday morning to check for openings. Cost: $10.

Rich Landers

Lead fishing tackle restricted at 13 lakes

FISHING – Starting today, certain lead fishing tackle is prohibited at 13 northern Washington lakes where loons are known to nest.

Ingesting a single lead sinker can be lethal to the fish-eating fowl.

The Eastern Washington lakes include Ferry, Long and Swan in Ferry County; Blue, Bonaparte and Lost in Okanogan County; Meadow, Skookum and Yocum in Pend Oreille County and Pierre in Stevens County.

Rich Landers

Bill would bar EPA on sportsmen’s gear

ENVIRONMENT — Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, R-Wash., is co-sponsoring a bill in Congress that would protect fishing and hunting gear from environmental lawsuits. 

The Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Protection Act, HR 1558, would modify the Toxic Substances Control Act to exempt bullets, shot, weights, lures and hooks, among other items, from EPA regulation.

Rich Landers

Fly fishing clinics

FISHING – Silver Bow Fly Shop in Spokane Valley is offering a pair of two-hour fly fishing clinics:

• Fishing local lakes, May 10, 6 p.m. $20.

• North Idaho stream fishing, May 17, 6 p.m. $20

Preregister: 924-9998.

CRP’s value to birds

WILDLIFE – Joey McCanna, Washington Fish and Wildlife upland game bird specialist, will talk about research evaluating Conservation Reserve Program improvements to boost birds Tuesday, 7 p.m., at the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council’s general meeting, 6116 N. Market St.