Hunting+Fishing
Steelhead and salmon
The Clearwater is still iced over from Orofino up. From the mouth to Orofino, hours per fish have doubled from last week at 14 hours per fish. The North Fork Clearwater has also slowed down, with anglers averaging a fish for every 15 hours of effort. Some anglers said Clearwater steelhead are getting a little soft but are still good for smoking.
The Grande Ronde fishing is decent but not great, said Bill Vail at Boggan’s Oasis.
“(You) have to hit ‘em on the nose to make ‘em bite,” Vail said.
There was no ice on the river Thursday, but Vail advises calling ahead, (509) 256-3372, before making the drive.
Anglers may continue fishing for hatchery spring chinook salmon in the lower Columbia River from the Interstate 5 bridge downstream to Buoy 10 through April 15 as a result of a new agreement reached by Washington and Oregon fishery managers. In addition, the two states approved a spring chinook season above Bonneville Dam from March 16 through April 30 between the Tower Island power lines upstream to McNary Dam. The power lines are located approximately 6 miles below The Dalles Dam. Anglers participating in those chinook fisheries may also retain hatchery steelhead and shad within daily catch limits established by each state.
The Kalama River has great water conditions this week, but it is nearing the end for the early hatchery steelhead return and the beginning of the late hatchery and wild winter return.
Trout and kokanee
Rainbow fishing has slowed some on Roosevelt this past week, but Rufus Woods anglers are still taking triploids throughout the system. There are also rumors a few large kokanee coming from the waters around Chief Joseph Dam.
Hog Canyon and Fourth of July can be wonderful or terrible, depending on how you hold your mouth. A few rainbows in excess of 24 inches came from Fourth of July this week. Remember to try different depths at either lake. Rainbow tend to suspend, looking for optimum oxygen levels. They may be on the bottom, but they could be a foot under the ice, too.
Waitts Lake has been a disappointment to perch anglers this winter, though trout fishermen are taking some nice rainbow and brown straight out from the public access.
A few trout are being taken through the ice on Moses Lake near Airman’s Beach. Despite slowing down from last week, Rocky Ford is getting rave reviews from fly anglers.
According to figures recently released, Lake Pend Oreille had a population of 35,800 lake trout and 36,000 rainbow trout in 2006. Anglers harvested 11,041 mackinaw and nets took another 4,902. Anglers harvested 5,948 rainbow, but few were taken in nets. The bounty for Lake Pend Oreille trout is $15, and guides such as Kurt Arnter of Pend Oreille Charters, (208) 610-8540, are encouraging anglers to help save the kokanee fishery by harvesting as many trout as possible, whether fishing with a guide or free-lancing.
Spiny ray
Walleye anglers on Roosevelt are beginning to probe the water again in anticipation of an early bite prior to the spawning migration. Some success was reported on Colville Flats near Kettle Falls this week. Most were eating size, but a few larger fish were reported. Try jigs or blade baits.
Walleye anglers are jigging Glo Tubes and Glo Grubs for Rufus Woods walleye. The fish seem to be throughout the system. Washington Flats above the net pens has been popular, as has Buckley Bar, a man-made island right out of Seaton Grove. If going down river from the Seaton Grove launch, pass on the right of this island, as the other side has some nasty boulders when the water is down.
There has been quite a bit of ice fishing action on Banks Lake near the dam at Coulee City, but there appear to be auger holes all over the lake. At Coulee Playland, Dave Altier suggests trying the Punchbowl and Osborn Bay for perch.
Sprague Lake is getting quite a bit of attention this winter, and anglers are catching perch and crappie through the ice. Anglers taking walleyes at night say the fish are full of 3-inch crappie
Other ice fishing destinations of note this week were Hauser and Cocallala in Idaho for good numbers of perch, and Fernan for some larger ones. Ice shanties are popping up next to the Long Bridge at Sandpoint and near Sunnyside on the northwest part of Pend Oreille Lake. In Eastern Washington, Eloika probably has the best numbers, and Banks and Moses Lake (limit 25) the largest. Moses Lake anglers near the I-90 Bridge are also taking a few walleye. Eloika is a fun lake for the kids. The ice is a solid 12 inches, and you never know what you’ll catch. On two recent trips, I caught perch, sunfish, grass pickerel, crappie, bass and bullheads.
Bonneville and The Dalles Pools are giving up a few walleye.
Hunting
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed removing wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains from the endangered species list. This proposal includes gray wolves in Idaho. If changes in state law are enacted by the state Legislature, it would cost residents $26.50 for a tag to hunt wolves in Idaho. Non-residents would have to pay $265. In addition to purchasing a non-resident Idaho license.
It’s not too early to apply for a chance at the hunt of a lifetime in this year’s Idaho Super Hunt drawings. Applications for the first Super Hunt and Super Hunt Combo drawing must be received at the Fish and Game headquarters by May 31 with the drawing set for June 15. Tickets will be drawn for eight elk, eight deer and eight antelope hunts, as well as one moose hunt. One “Super Hunt Combo” ticket will be drawn that will entitle the winner to hunt for one each elk, deer, antelope and moose. A second drawing will be Aug. 15. A single application is $6.25 with a substantial discount for more than one. Applications are available at license vendors, all Fish and Game offices on the Internet at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov, and on the phone at 800-824-3729 or 800-554-8685. Mail applications to: IDFG License Section, P.O. Box 25, Boise 83707.