In brief: Fishing derbies

Upcoming trout/salmon fishing derbies include:

•Red Covey Memorial Spring Salmon Derby on Lake Coeur d’Alene, April 17-18.

Info: (208) 667-9304.

•Lake Roosevelt Two Rivers Spring Fishing Derby, April 24-25. Info: (800) 722-4031.

•K&K Spring Derby on Lake Pend Oreille, April 24-May 2.

Info: (509) 928-1000.

No license required

Anglers can get cheap thrills in June during “free-fishing days” in Idaho and Washington.

Idaho will wave the basic fishing license requirement for residents and non- residents alike on June 12.

Washington drops the license requirement on June 12-13. Anglers must check fishing regulations for waters they intend to fish, since all other catch limits and rules apply.

Idaho requires boat sticker

Idaho’s Invasive Species Fund sticker, which debuted last year, is required on all boats longer than 10 feet – including rafts, kayaks and canoes.

Only inflatable, non-motorized vessels less than 10 feet long are exempt.

The sticker is included in the cost of a resident’s boat registration. Otherwise, the cost is $20 for power boats and $5 for non-motorized boats.

The stickers are available at Idaho State Parks offices, auto licensing dealers in Spokane an online at http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/

Free seminars for anglers

The Mark’s Marine spring seminar series is winding down with two programs starting at 6:30 p.m. as follows at 14395 N. Government Way in Hayden:

Tonight, “Year Round Fishing on Lake Roosevelt, by Alan Roberts.

April 22, “Laws and Safety on Idaho Waters,” by the U.S. Coast Guard and Sheriff’s Marine Patrol.

Access improvements

Public boat launches have been improved and enhanced with accessible docks at Silver and Eloika lakes.

Newman Lake’s public access also has been improved since last season and a dock is planned.

Angling events, classes

•Fly Fishing Gear Swap, May 15-16, Silver Bow Fly Shop in Spokane Valley, 924-9998.

•Walleye fishing seminar by pro angler Ted Beach, April 24, 1 p.m., at Cabela’s in Post Falls. Info: (208) 777-6300.

•Fly fishermen can chose from a class ($30) on beginner fly fishing or five clinics ($20) – local lake tactics, North Idaho streams, Clark Fork techniques, knot rigging and advanced fly casing – in late April-mid June at Silver Bow Fly Shop, 924-9998.

Fishing for dollars

The 2010 Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Season, which pays anglers a bounty of up to $8 a fish, will run May 1-Sept. 30 on the Columbia River from the mouth to the Tri-Cities and up the Snake to Lewiston.

A few anglers have earned more than $40,000 a season.

Details: (800) 858-9015; www.pikeminnow.org.

Can you eat the fish?

Advisories for how much fish should be consumed from area waters that may be affected by mercury, PCBs or other contaminants are available in:

Idaho: www.healthy.idaho.gov; (866) 240-3553.

Washington: www.doh.wa.gov/fish; (877) 485-7316.

Advisories are especially important for children and pregnant women.

Facilities closed at parks

Fish Lake’s boat access will be open this season, but restrooms and other facilities will be closed because of Spokane County Parks budget woes.

Bear Lake’s facilities also will be closed, but the lake will be open to walk-in access.

County parks officials are trying to assemble volunteer groups to help maintain these and other rural parks during the budget crunch. Info: 477-4730.

Weekly fishing reports

Read the latest regional fishing updates every Friday in The Spokesman-Review Sports section or online at Spokesman.com/outdoors.