Time to purchase a fishing license

Pull your fishing and hunting license out of your wallet and note the ending date. It will be 03/31/2014. This means it is time to purchase a new license.

Who needs a fishing license? From the Washington Sport Rules pamphlet, "Everyone age 15 and up. You do not need a license if you are fishing for common carp, crawfish, bullfrogs, smelt, or to collect relic shells."

An interesting fact is while a fishing license is valid through March 31 each year, the sport rules pamphlet is effective from May 1 through April 30 of each year.

Second fishing opener is Tuesday, April 1

Again we in the Columbia Basin are blessed with so many fishing opportunities. A prime example is the number of lakes opening next Tuesday, April 1. They include: Cattail, Coot, Coyote Creek Ponds, Dry Falls, Gadwall, Half moon, Upper and Lower Hampton, Hays Creek Ponds, Hen, Herman, Hourglass, Hutchinson, Lemina, Lyle, Morgan, Para-Juvenile, Pillar, Poacher, Sago, Shiner, Shoveler, Snipe, North and South Teal, Thread and Widgeon.

As always, study the fishing regulations for rules on specific waters. Good luck.

Steelhead fishing to close on upper Columbia River and tributaries

The Columbia River and tributaries above Rock Island Dam will close to fishing for steelhead one hour after sunset on Monday, March 31.

The locations include the: Mainstem Columbia River from Rock Island Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam.

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 Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam.

Methow River: From the mouth to the confluence with the Chewuch River in Winthrop.

Okanogan River: From the mouth to the Highway 97 Bridge in Oroville.

Similkameen River: From the mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam.

The reason for the closure is: Most steelhead will be spawning beginning in April. National Marine Fisheries Service Permit 1395 for this program allows a fishery to be promulgated only through March 31, according to Fish and Wildlife.

Annual Kid's Fishing Derby April 12

The Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District will host the Fifth Annual Kid's Fishing Derby at Connelly Park on April 12 for youth ages 5 through 14. Weinstein Beverage and Pepsi also sponsor the event.

Fishing is free, bait is provided, but the young anglers must bring their own gear.