Field reports: Fishery managers set closure dates for sturgeon on Columbia River
FISHING – Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon have set closure dates for sturgeon fisheries on two sections of the Columbia River while deferring consideration of a recreational smelt fishery until more is known about the size of this year’s run, according to a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife news release.
Starting Sunday, anglers will be required to release any sturgeon they intercept from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam. In addition, the retention fishery for white sturgeon from John Day Dam to McNary Dam will close effective Feb. 12.
Both areas will remain open to catch-and-release fishing for sturgeon after those dates. That is also the case in The Dalles Pool, which closed to retention fishing Jan. 20 after reaching its annual harvest quota for the year.
There is a possibility of providing a summer sturgeon fishery from The Dalles Dam to the John Day Dam, where retention fishing for sturgeon closed Jan. 20.
Recreational smelt fishing on the Cowlitz River will be discussed, according to the news release.
In 2017, fishery managers approved a one-day recreational dip-net fishery on the Cowlitz River, based on the strength of last year’s commercial catch figures. Current projections indicate the 2018 run will be smaller than last year’s run.
Silver Mountain back-country bonanza
WINTERSPORTS – Silver Mountain will host a bevy of back-country skiing skill instruction next weekend.
On Saturday, there will be an avalanche class. Participants will learn how to assess risk and make decisions. No prior classes are required, but participants must be able to comfortably ride black diamond terrain in trees.
The class is free. Meet at the flag poles in front of the Mountain House at 9:30 a.m.
Later that day participants will practice beacon location skills. Single- and multiple-burial scenarios will be offered. Meet at the Mountain House flag poles at noon. Participants must be able to comfortably ride blue square terrain. The event is free. Participants are encouraged to bring their own beacons, but there will be a limited number of loaner beacons available.
There will also be a deep burial race hosted by North Idaho College’s outdoors program. Beacons will be buried in 5-6 feet of packed snow. Singles and pairs are welcome. Meet at the Mountain House flagpoles at 3 p.m.
Saturday will end with a social and a transition race. Participants will gather at the Radio Brewing Company anytime after skiing. The race starts at 6 p.m. and the raffle at 6:30.
The Wardner Peak Uphill Downhill race is scheduled on Sunday. Climb 675 feet doing one, two or three laps. Preregistration costs $20 and day-of registration is $25. If preregistered, lift tickets are reduced to $35.
Winter ecology class upcoming
ECOLOGY – North Idaho College’s Sandpoint campus is offering a Winter Ecology class Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. The class will begin at the south parking lot of the NIC at Sandpoint Center at 102 S. Euclid Street in Sandpoint. Learn how to identify trees, animals and birds during a winter hike with wilderness expert and author Brian Baxter
Snowshoe, fat bike race at Silver Mountain
RACING – There will be a snowshoe and fat bike race at Silver Mountain next Sunday.
There will be two snowshoe races, one 2.2 miles and the other 4.4 miles. The race will start at the bottom of the tubing hill. The elevation gain is 356 feet.
The fat bike race will occur on the same 2.2-mile course. Beginners will do two laps and advance riders will do four. Helmets and a minimum of 4-inch tires are required.
Snowshoers can load into the gondola starting at 8:30 a.m. Late registration is available from 9-11:45 a.m.
Electronic passes available for Yellowstone park
RECREATION – Yellowstone National Park has begun offering digital annual and seven-day visitor passes.
Interested visitors can purchase the passes online through YourPassNow.com at no additional charge.
The passes will be emailed to customers and can be stored on an electronic device or printed.
Annual passes are $60. Other passes: seven-day private vehicle, $30; seven-day motorcycle or snowmobile, $25; and seven-day for people coming on foot, ski or bike, $15.