Time to start thinking about new fish, hunt licenses

HUNTING/FISHING — Washington sportsmen will need new 2012-2013 hunting and fishing licenses starting April 1.

Remember, even if you buy a new license, you still must have your 2011-2012 license in your pocket while hunting or fishing through March 31.

Spring chinook salmon are moving into the lower Columbia River, dozens of eastside lakes opened for trout fishing March 1 and a series of morning razor-clam digs is tentatively scheduled to run through early April.

A spring wild turkey season for hunters under age 16 is scheduled April 7-8 prior to the start of the general spring turkey hunt April 15.

The cost of some licenses will be higher than those purchased at this time last year. The new rates, which took effect last September, represent the first general increase in recreational license fees in more than a decade.

Fishing licenses, hunting licences and the Discover Pass are all available online , by phone (866-246-9453) and from license dealers around the state.