First fishing opener tomorrow

Ready, set...go. Tomorrow is the first day of this year's fishing season openers, known as the March 1 opener. The lakes involved include: 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 weather is always the determining factor for success. Fish and Wildlife says anglers should expect a success rate similar to last year. Plus the temperatures are not favorable for ice-free lakes. The upcoming forecasts include a low of 21 for Friday, high on Saturday of 21 and a low of 16 and Sunday the figures are 32 and 21.

These are not good figures for the lakes to be ice free, so Fish and Wildlife says it is not predictable at this time if a particular lake will be covered or partly covered in ice or not. Nor is this good weather for camping, but there are sure to be some campers braving the cold.

If you are tempting to fish through the ice, use caution. We wouldn't even be tempted.

Fish and Wildlife Commission to take public comments on hunting proposals at Moses Lake meeting

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will accept comments on proposed changes to state hunting rules for deer, elk, moose and other game species during a public meeting March 7-8 in Moses Lake.

The commission will convene at 8 a.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam St.

On March 7, the commission will be briefed and take public comment on proposed changes to hunting rules for 2014. Those changes include: Reducing fees for multi-season deer permit holders; master hunters with special permits for deer or elk damage tags; special permit holders who purchase a second deer tag; and hunters who are issued damage prevention or kill permits for second deer tags.

Also, decreasing elk hunting permits by more than 400 in the Mount St. Helens area now that the elk population is more in balance with area habitat. Boosting the number of antlerless elk hunting permits by 620 for the Colockum area, where the population exceeds management goals.

Plus, streamlining the process for issuing hunters with disabilities special use permits, which enable them to use modified hunting equipment.

The commission is scheduled to consider adoption of all the proposals at its April 11-12 meeting in Olympia.

In other business, wildlife managers will update the commission March 8 on the steps the department took in 2013 to implement the state wolf conservation and management plan.

Hunters have until March 31 to apply for multiple-season permits

Deer and elk hunters have until March 31 to enter their name in a drawing for a 2014 multiple-season permit, which can greatly increase their opportunities for success in the field.

In mid-April, Fish and Wildlife will randomly draw names for 8,500 multiple-season deer permits and 1,000 multiple-season elk permits.

Winners of the drawing will be eligible to purchase a special tag allowing them to participate in archery, muzzleloader and modern firearm general hunting seasons for deer or elk in 2014. Winners who purchase the multiple-season elk tag by Aug. 31 can participate in general elk-hunting season in both eastern and western Washington.

Winners also may choose any weapon type when applying for a special permit to hunt deer or elk.

The tags can be used only during general seasons and in game management units that are open during a modern firearm, muzzleloader, or archery general season. For example, winners may not hunt during the muzzleloader general season in an area that is not open for the muzzleloader general season.

Also, hunters can apply only once for each species and are limited to harvesting one deer or elk.

A 2014 hunting license is not required to submit an application, but winners of the drawing must purchase one before they can purchase a multiple-season tag.

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.