March 1 openers in sight

We are lucky in the Columbia Basin to have lakes and streams open to fishing 365 days a year. We also have lakes which are open only during part of the year. The first opener will take place a week from tomorrow and is known as the March 1 opener.

The three Caliche lakes, Martha, Cascade, Crystal, Cup, Dot, Dusty, George, Nunnally, Quincy, and Spring lakes are all listed as opening on March 1. The most popular will be Martha.

The fishing success will depend upon the weather, which is always a success factor on the earlier openers. We make it a point to either camp at the lake for the opener or we visit the lake on opening weekend. We have seen people in T-shirts and we have seen people fishing through ice.

Next Friday we hope to have a more precise fishing report.

Public meeting on salmon forecast set for March 3

Anglers, commercial fishers and others interested in Washington State salmon fisheries can get a preview of this year's salmon returns and potential fishing seasons during a public meeting here March 3.

Kicking off the annual salmon season-setting process, Fish and Wildlife will present initial forecasts, compiled by state and tribal biologists, of 2014 salmon returns.

The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street S.E., in Olympia.

Those attending the meeting will have an opportunity to talk to fishery managers about the pre-season forecasts and participate in work sessions focusing on possible salmon fisheries and conservation issues.

Fish and Wildlife has also scheduled additional public meetings focusing on regional salmon issues through early April. This series of meetings, involving representatives from federal, state and tribal governments and recreational and commercial fishing industries, is known as the North of Falcon process.

The North of Falcon process is held in conjunction with public meetings conducted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council, responsible for establishing fishing seasons in ocean water three to 200 miles off the Pacific coast.

Final adoption of the 2014 salmon fisheries is scheduled for April 10 at the PFMC meeting in Vancouver, Wash.

Applications due today for spring black bear hunt

Last day: Hunters must purchase and submit applications for a 2014 spring black bear hunting permit, applicable to specific areas of western and eastern Washington, today to be eligible for a permit.

A drawing will be held in mid-March for 383 permits in western Washington and 314 permits for hunts east of the Cascades. Permit winners will receive notification in the mail no later than March 31.

To apply for a permit, hunters must purchase a special permit application and a 2014 hunting license that includes bear as a species option. Hunting licenses, bear transport tags and bear permit applications may be purchased online.

Any legal weapon used during the modern firearm, archery or muzzleloader seasons can be used for spring black bear hunts. Bait or hounds are not allowed for bear hunting.

Did you know; interesting recreation facts:

In Washington outdoor recreation generates 22.5 billion in consumer spending a year. Also 227,000 direct Washington jobs, 7.1 billion in wages and salaries, plus 1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue.

In addition, 63 percent of Washington residents participate in outdoor recreation each year.

Steelhead fishing open on Wenatchee, Icicle, upper Columbia rivers

Steelhead fishing is now open on the Wenatchee, Icicle and part of the Columbia River. What's more, the Wenatchee River is also open for whitefish.

The areas open to fishing include: The Wenatchee River: From the mouth to 400 feet below Tumwater Dam, including the Icicle River from the mouth to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam.

The Columbia River: From Rock Island Dam upstream to 400 feet below Wells Dam. Areas open to fishing for whitefish until further notice include: The Wenatchee River: From the mouth to the Hwy 2 bridge at Leavenworth.

Reason for changes: Recent analyses of the ongoing steelhead fisheries in portions of the upper Columbia River has revealed sufficient natural origin steelhead impacts still remain under the NOAA issued ESA section 10 permit. Re-opening steelhead fisheries in the Columbia, Wenatchee and Icicle Rivers will help to reduce the proportion of hatchery fish on the spawning grounds and further reduce competition between natural origin and hatchery juvenile production. Opening these areas to steelhead angling also allows whitefish angling opportunity on the Wenatchee.