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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Field reports: Meeting set on Columbia, Snake salmon fishing seasons

FISHING – Washington salmon anglers can comment on proposals for mid- and upper Columbia River and lower Snake River fishing seasons at three meetings this week.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife scheduled the public meetings to discuss preseason forecasts and upcoming spring, summer and fall fishing seasons – particularly those for salmon upstream from McNary Dam.

Those meetings are as scheduled 6-8 p.m. in:

    Clarkston: Tuesday, Walla Walla Community College, Clarkston Campus Auditorium, 1470 Bridge St.

    Kennewick: Wednesday, Benton PUD Auditorium, 2721 W. 10th Ave.

    Wenatchee: Thursday, Chelan PUD, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.

The seasons will be set in early April in the North of Falcon process that involves federal, state and tribal governments and recreational and commercial fishing industries. Additional public meetings are being scheduled through early April to discuss regional fisheries.

Final salmon fishing seasons are scheduled to be adopted at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting April 8-14 in Vancouver, Washington.

Rock Lake access

being improved

FISHING – The water access site at Rock Lake in northwest Whitman County will be closed for improvements March 30-31.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to grade and gravel the parking and launching area for the popular fishing lake just north of Ewan.

The site will be reopened for use by April 1, the agency says.

Rock Lake is open to fishing for rainbow and brown trout and other fish year-round. A notable attraction has been the one-time release of thousands of young hatchery steelhead last year. The fish are running 14-15 inches long and relatively easy to catch.

Dworshak sites opening

gradually for season

WATERSPORTS – Dworshak Reservoir near Orofino, Idaho, is beginning to warm up to the thought of spring and summer recreation with the opening of some facilities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports that Dent Acres Boat Ramp opened on Monday and the restroom near the ramp is open.

Merrys Bay day-use, Dam View, and Canyon Creek campgrounds will open April 1.

Dent Acres campground will open for early season camping on April 13, with $14-per-day campsite fees by self-deposit registration. Regular-season camping will start May 26, with full hook-up sites available for $20 a night.

Reservations for the regular season can be made by calling (877) 444-6777, or by reserving online at www.recreation.gov.

Info: (208 ) 476-1255.

Sandpoint trails valued

TRAILS – A recent study on Sandpoint-area trails will be discussed in relationship to possible improvements and expansion of the trail network during a program starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St. in Sandpoint.

The research was conducted by Headwaters Economics in partnership with the cities of Sandpoint and Ponderay, Bonner County and the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce.