Now is the time to purchase a new fishing license

The Washington fishing license anglers had last Saturday is out of date. They expired at midnight March 31. In order to continue fishing legally, anglers 15 years of age and older must purchase a 2012-13 license. Licenses and permits are available online, by phone, at 1-866-246-9453, and from sporting goods stores and other retail license dealers around the state.

April 1 opener

April 1 was the second fishing opener for the Columbia Basin. Here is how Fish and Wildlife District Fish Biologist Chad Jackson reported the results:

In general, angler effort was very low on the April 1st opening day lakes. However, the weather likely had a big part to play in angler participation. Anglers either checked the weather forecast, which changed daily and called for anything from rain to snow, cold temperatures and low to high winds, or looked outside of their houses and elected not to fish the opener.

Anglers who did fish the opener were greeted with chilly temperatures, rain, and wind until about 11:00a.m. During the afternoon the sun broke, but strong winds persisted throughout the day, until the evening.

Dry Falls Lake had the best fishing on the opener for those willing to brave the high winds and cold temperatures. These anglers caught-and-released 20 to 50 trout. Fishing should continue to be good throughout the spring at Dry Falls Lake.

The trout production waters, Hamptons and Teals, fished poor on the opener averaging from 1.0 to nearly 2.0 trout per angler. However, trout caught from these lakes were very nice sized ranging mostly from 14 to 18 inches.

Specific lakes

Pillar-Widgeon lake chain: No anglers were observed fishing this chain of nine lakes on opening day.

Upper and Lower Hampton lakes: Angler effort at Lower and Upper Hampton lakes was lower than last year. Most of the angler effort was on Lower Hampton Lake. Fishing was poor on the opener with catch rates of 1.0 and less than 1.0 trout per angler for Lower and Upper Hampton Lakes, respectively. However, trout size was large with fish ranging mostly from 14 to 18 inches. These lakes, north of Othello on the wildlife refuge, are usually good producers in this early season, but not this year.

"The Hamptons are in need of rehabilitation to remove nuisance fish species that impact trout fry survival," he said. "There are still some good size trout in the two lakes for the patient angler."

North and South Teal lakes: There was very little fishing effort on North and South Teal Lakes on opening day. Only about a dozen anglers fished these two lakes on the opener, with most of the effort on North Teal Lake. Angler interviews were only obtained from North Teal Lake. A total of six anglers harvested 10 trout for a catch rate of 1.7 trout per angler. However, trout size was large with fish ranging from 14 to 17 inches. These are among the Seep Lakes south of Potholes Reservoir and north of Othello. They were rehabilitated in 2010 and restocked with rainbow trout fry in 2011.

Dry Falls Lake: Angler effort at Dry Falls Lake was lower than last year. Those anglers who braved the wind and cold were quite successful catching-and-releasing between 20 and 50 trout.

Successful anglers were primarily using small black chironomids at depths between 15 to 25 feet. Anglers who fished three to five hours on the opener caught-and-released five trout on average.

Trout size was fair to good with fish ranging in size from 10 to 20 plus inches. It appears that last year's cold spring shortened the growing season for trout in Dry Falls Lake, as yearlings should easily be 12 to 14 inches by the opener instead of 10 to 12 inches. Smaller yearling trout size has been observed in other lakes in the Basin this year. Over the next couple months these trout should grow to a nicer size.

Dry Falls Lake, which is in the north end of Grant County near Coulee City, should continue to provide good fishing through the spring. It's a Selective Gear Rule fishery with an internal combustion motor prohibition and a one fish daily catch limit. In addition to rainbow trout, Dry Falls gets stocked with brown and tiger trout.

One refuge fishery, Para-Juvenile Lake, seven miles northwest of Othello on the Adams-Grant county line, opened April 1 only to anglers up to 14 years of age. It's a good spot to take kids to catch bass and sunfish.

Youth season

The spring youth turkey season will be held on April 7 and 8 for hunters under 16 years of age in all Game Management Units. A youth hunter is defined as being under 16 years old when they buy a license.

Youth must use the standard hunting methods for hunting turkey; shotgun or bow and arrow only and all other turkey hunting regulations apply.

Legal birds will be turkeys with visible beards only. A total of three turkeys may be taken during the spring season. Only one turkey may be taken in Western Washington outside of Klickitat County, but two turkeys may be taken in Klickitat County.

In Eastern Washington, only one turkey may be taken in Chelan, Kittitas and Yakima counties, combined. Two turkeys may be taken in the other counties of Eastern Washington.

The hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

This is a grand opportunity for a mentor to assist a youth hunter in the finer points of turkey hunting.

Spring turkey opener scheduled April 15 for the rest of us

The 2012 Wild Turkey Spring Season pamphlet is now available in sporting goods stores. The spring season dates are April 15 through May 31. The hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Other turkey regulations include: Spring turkey season is open for shotgun, 10 gauge or under capable of holding three of fewer shells, and bow and arrow only.

A valid hunting license and an unaltered, unnotched turkey transport tag are required for hunting turkey. Baiting game birds is illegal. It is unlawful to use down, electronic calls or electronic decoys to hunt turkeys. Turkey hunters must use Number 4 or smaller shot.

Sprague Lake to hold trout derby

Mark your calendar: June 9 is the day and Sprague Lake is the place. It will be the First Annual Sprague Lake Trout Derby. This is the Washington State Free Fishing Weekend, so no anglers will need a license.

The entry fee is $7 for adults and $5 for anglers 16 years old and younger. The time will be 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Contact Sprague Lake Resort at 509-259-7060 or Four Seasons Resort at 509-257-2332.