WILDLIFE WATCHING – The annual gathering of bald eagles that feast on spawning kokanee at Lake Coeur d’Alene is getting off to a slow start. The eagle count at Wolf Lodge Bay is down by 70 percent from last year at this time, said Carrie…
WINTER SPORTS -- "We just began Chapter II of winter 2011/12," Kevin Davis of the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center says in an announcement this afternoon. "This change in weather is introducing a significant load to a weak snowpack. As of the sending of this email…
FISHING -- As I explained in my Thursday outdoors column, a proposal has come through the back door of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to revert back to allowing bait fishing in the Kettle River. Selective gear rules adopted with local citizen input in…
FLY FISHING -- While skiers were waiting in lift lines to go busting powder over the weekend, 20-something Spokane fly fisher Dustin Bise snapped this photo to illustrate his peaceful day casting for trout on the Spokane River.
WINTER SPORTS -- Alpine skiers weren't the only ones reveling in the early onslaught of winter and the deep powder in the mountains last week. Cross-country skiers were having a great time making tracks from the back-country of North Idaho, on Mount Spokane's ungroomed but…
PUBLIC LANDS -- Off-road vehicle riders have more routes for legally riding their ATVs and motorcycles on the Colville National Forest, according to a plan approved this month. Forest Supervisor Laura Jo West signed the South End Motor Vehicle Management Plan, which designates roads and…
FISHING -- The jury's still out on how much the lowest maintenance drawdown in Banks Lake's history will impact the reservoir's popular sport fisheries. But opportunistic bass, walleye, whitefish and panfish anglers are making photos and detailed notes of exposed structure they'll want to explore…
WINTER SPORTS -- Backcountry travelers are urged to sign up for one of several free avalanche classes being presented by the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center as well as Idaho State Parks and Recreation. While groups can book special avalanche classes -- The Spokane Mountaineers have…
Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.
