Don’T Stock Fish Without A Permit

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reminds fish enthusiasts that a permit is required to stock public ponds, lakes, streams and rivers, as well as those on private property, with fish.

The permit process is meant to protect native fish and wildlife and to help landowners with appropriate fish stocking.

Landowners interested in stocking fish should contact a WDFW office for information about appropriate species, a list of producers that sell certified disease-free fish and a fish transport/stocking permit application. The permit usually requires two to four weeks to process and costs $24. Permits are usually valid for a year.

Hatchery salmon limit increased

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission upped the possession limit for hatchery salmon in seasons open on the Clearwater and Little Salmon River.

The possession limit, which had previously been one, was raised to two. The change will have no effect on the salmon run, according to biologists. The seasons will run from Fridays through Mondays until 100 hatchery salmon have been caught on the Clearwater and 200 on the Little Salmon.

Trap collectors meeting

The North American Trap Collectors Association will have their annual rendezvous Saturday at Hells Gate State Park in Lewiston. Antique traps of all types will be on display, and can be bought, sold, traded or appraised. For further information, contact Bill Foreyt at 509-397-3351.

Pine Ridge Trail upgrade

A trail crew from Mount Rainier National Park has begun work with the Whitman County Parks Department to restore the Pine Ridge Trail, which traverses Kamiak Butte County Park, a national natural landmark.

Workers and volunteers have been upgrading the 3-mile trail and adding water bars to retard erosion and promote better drainage. The trail remains open for hikers.

Know your camping options

More than half of the 1.4 million visitors to Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area list camping as the reason for their visit. The National Park Service is meeting the demand by maintaining 18 campgrounds reached by land and another 10 accessed by boat.

A few of these campgrounds already are full or overcrowded. Since all sites are available only on a first-come, first-served basis, knowing camping options ahead of time is important.

For more information about the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, telephone (509) 633-9441.