Lake Roosevelt walleye fishing heats up after the spawn
Lake Roosevelt walleye are spreading out after the spawn and according to Fish and Wildlife the fish are hungry. Remember, on Lake Roosevelt the daily catch limit is eight walleye and there is no minimum size, although only one over 22 inches may be retained.
Lake Roosevelt walleye are spreading out after the spawn and according to Fish and Wildlife the fish are hungry. Remember, on Lake Roosevelt the daily catch limit is eight walleye and there is no minimum size, although only one over 22 inches may be retained.
Kokanee and rainbow trout
The Seven Bays area and many other spots upstream on the big reservoir are also good for kokanee and rainbow trout fishing. The daily catch limit for kokanee is six fish, although no more than two can be wild fish. The limit on trout is five, but only two over 20 inches may be retained.
Keep an eye out for XY 94
Birdwatchers may spot Canada geese with new ornamentation near the Tri-Cities, Moses Lake, or Coulee City. Fish and Wildlife staff and volunteers captured geese in these areas to mark them with white neck-collars and metal leg-bands as part of an eastern Washington study to determine if such urban geese are resident or migratory. If you harvest a goose with a metal band or otherwise find a metal band you can report it, with the location and date, to the U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Lab at 1-800-327-2263.
The neck collars are easily to read with a binocular. Observers are asked to record the location where these birds are seen and report the information by calling the Region Two office in Ephrata at 754-4624.
Dennis had the honor of holding and releasing a goose with neck collar number XY 94. After it is spotted and the location reported to the Ephrata office, give me a call too. I’ll be looking for it and keeping track of its movements. Home: 762-5158, Cell: 750-0541.
Leave young wildlife alone
Outdoor-minded people are reminded adult birds and animals, often with everything from ducklings to bear cubs in tow, are out and about now. Enjoy them from a respectable distance.
Fish and Wildlife recommends the following precautions: Leave young animals alone, even if their parents do not appear to be nearby. The parents may be waiting for you to leave, and could become confrontational if you approach their young.
Store food out of reach of hungry bears and other animals. Camp and hike only in designated areas, preferably in groups that discourage close encounters with dangerous wildlife.
Matt Monda, Fish and Wildlife regional wildlife program manager, reinforces this concept by saying, “Does know best how to care for their fawns. The best way to help wildlife families is to give them some space.”
Fishing, hunting and outdoor skills workshop offered to women
This may be a bit early, but this workshop fills up fast each year. Plan now and register if you plan to attend.
Women can learn the basics of fishing, hunting and other outdoor skills at a September workshop that includes several sessions led by Fish and Wildlife and other certified instructors.
The two-day workshop is scheduled the weekend of Sept. 17 and 19 at Camp River Ranch in Carnation. The annual workshop is coordinated by Washington Outdoor Women, a non-profit program dedicated to teaching women outdoor skills and natural resource stewardship.
Twenty classes will be offered throughout the weekend on skills such as archery, basic freshwater fishing, fly-fishing and tying flies, kayaking, cooking wild game, big-game hunting basics, map and compass reading, wilderness first aid, survival skills and outdoor photography.
Workshop participants must be at least 18 years old and must have a current Washington recreational fishing license if they want to participate in the fishing and fly-fishing sessions.
The workshop fee is $235 and covers the cost of lodging, meals and necessary equipment. A limited number of partial scholarships, provided by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, are available for first-time participants.
To learn more about the workshop and to download the registration form, visit the WOW Web site at www.washingtonoutdoorwomen.org or contact Ronni McGlenn at 425-455-1986.