As is usually the case, I like to start with some of the latest news out of the department that may be of special concern to local hunters and anglers. First the state is going to begin tagging Dungeness crabs near Port Townsend. The hope is that people will catch these crabs and report the location of the catch. This will then provide information about crab movement and migration, which in turn could lead to better management of this resource. The tags are bright green and will be on the underside of the crab. If you catch one of these crabs, call 866-859-8439 and provide the following information; tag number, date and location of the catch and approximate depth of capture. If you catch an undersized or female crab, do not remove the tag, but record the tag number and return the crab to the water, then call in the information.

Chinook are moving up

For some good news, with the strong run of chinook salmon this year the fishing has been outstanding on the coast. Now anglers that like to fish the Columbia will be able to enjoy in the bounty. Specific areas that will be open are: from the old Hanford town site wooden power pole upstream to Priest Rapids Dam, the stretch of river from Priest Rapids Dam to Wells Dam, and the stretch of river from the S.R. 173 bridge near Brewster to the S.R. 17 bridge at Bridgeport. Limit will be six fish, of which only two may be adult. All sockeye and steelhead must be released. For the downside, Marine Area 5 has closed to chinook fishing, but remains open for hatchery raised coho. Due to the strong run of fish, the quota was met earlier than expected, but if you are still interested in tangling with a big king, the best bet by far is the coast. Limits have been the norm from Neah Bay all the way to Westport.

If you don’t have the time to venture to the coast, the closest chinook chance is to check is the Tulalip bubble. Be sure to read the current regulations for days it is open and bag limits. Another area worth a shot is up in the San Juans. The west side of San Juan Island is always a popular place to try. Even if the fishing is slow, you may get a treat and see the pods of orcas that call that area home come through. If you go up in the islands, the best be is to troll an artificial behind a dodger. The area is loaded with dogfish and many times it is near impossible to get a herring down into the strike zone without it being hit by a dogfish. A green squid behind a chrome dodger in 90-120 feet of water has been productive.

For those of you who might have been looking forward to fishing Lake Washington sockeye, better make other plans. The state uses the count around July 9 as its midpoint for the run. At this point it is predicted the run will only be about 225,000 to 260,000 fish. In order for their to be a season, the state wants an escapement of 350,000 fish, so it is highly unlikely that there will be a sockeye season this year. The state will do another update in about a week, but don’t plan on a major resurgence that will allow an opener.

Localcrabbing

and fishing

If you are looking for another area to try for some crabs, you can now head north for a little action. The areas around Bellingham and Anacortes are now open for recreational crabbing. All gear is legal and it is open seven days a week with the normal bag and size limits. The areas around Birch Bay remained closed. Crabbing action locally has been decent. The weather we have been having has been fantastic to be out on a boat in search of these delectable creatures. Areas around Crescent Harbor, Polnell Point, and Coronet Bay are all the traditional hotspots.

With all this warm weather, most lakes should be well into their summer fishing patterns. Trout will be difficult to come by, with most of them in very deep waters, but bass, perch and crappie should be in the shallows taking advantage of the warmer water temps. Look for big bass to be around pilings, piers and overhanging brush. It may be tricky to get your lure into the zone, but the payback is worth it.