Biden Administration, WA, OR, 4 Tribes Sign Columbia Basin Commitments
The Biden Administration, states of Oregon and Washington and Nez Perce, Yakama, Warm Springs and Umatilla Tribes signed the Columbia Basin Commitments at a White House ceremony, putting into effect a court stay to work on Snake River salmon and steelhead restoration and other facets.
Washington Senate Passes Smelt, Carp, Crawfish Licensing Bill
A bill requiring a fishing license to dip for smelt on the Cowlitz and elsewhere in the state is one step closer to becoming law after being passed on a 49-0 vote in Washington’s Senate late this morning.
‘We Need A Helicopter … And We Need Someone With A Gun’: 911 Cougar Attack Call
More details on last Saturday’s cougar attack on a 60-year-old woman on an upper Snoqualmie Valley trail are coming out, including how fellow cyclists fought the animal and their desperate 911 call, and they make for tough reading.
WDFW Opens Comment On 3-year Hunting Proposals Package
Comment is open into late March on WDFW’s three-year hunting package proposals, routine but “in-depth” rulemaking, and this go-around the agency is looking for feedback on a raft of ideas, from general deer season regs to bighorn special permits, hunter orange/pink requirements to game and special management unit boundaries, gear rules to simple calendar date tweaks.
Public Hearing Held On Bill To Disband Washington Fish And Wildlife Commission
House Bill 2434 and its bid to disband the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission won’t go anywhere in Olympia this session, but this morning its prime sponsor certainly achieved his goal in introducing the “hand grenade.” A couple others went off as well.
2024 Lower Columbia, Gorge Pools Springer Season Set
“Although this run is smaller than the last few year’s returns, we are still able to provide some quality fishing opportunities,” said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River fisheries manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. “We have an obligation to ensure the most limiting run, Snake River natural-origin spring Chinook listed under the Endangered Species Act, has adequate protection so future opportunities can still be possible.”
Washington State Report Reflects Positive Trends In Hunting, Angling
In the most recent edition of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation in Washington, a sweeping analysis of hunters, anglers and wildlife viewers put out by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, current trends are pointing to some interesting conclusions.
Washington Smelt Licensing Bill Sent To Floor Of Senate
As Washington smelt managers continue to test the Cowlitz this week to see if enough of the skinny little fish are running upstream to hold another opener – more on that below – a bill that would require dippers to have a fishing license advanced to the floor of the state Senate.
Areas 10, 11 Blackmouth To Open On Weds-Sat. Schedule Starting March 1
Blackmouth fishing off Seattle and Tacoma will be open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays when season begins March 1, WDFW announced today.
Penrose Point SP To Reopen March 1 For Shellfish Harvesting
After a construction-related season closure in 2023, Penrose Point State Park will reopen for clam, oyster and mussel harvesting from March 1-April 30, WDFW announced this morning.
Cougar That Attacked Cyclist Was 75-pound Male; Carcass Sent To WSU Lab
Fellow cyclists are being credited with bravely fending off a cougar attack in the upper Snoqualmie Valley Saturday that could have been far worse for a 60-year-old woman who was taken to the hospital after suffering head, jaw and neck injuries.
Second Cowlitz Smelt Dip Possible; 8,600 Anglers Harvested 54,000 Pounds On Thursday
MD Johnson reports back from the banks of the Cowlitz on last Thursday’s smelt dip, which was slower lower in the system and better toward Castle Rock, and what WDFW is looking for to be able to hold a second opener.
WDFW Reports Cougar Attack On 5 Bicyclers Near 2018 Lion Fatality
A 60-year-old woman was taken to the hospital after a cougar attack on a group of bicyclists in Western Washington’s upper Snoqualmie Valley today and state game wardens lethally removed at least one cougar in the area, reports say.
Stop Trapping Red Foxes In WA Cascades NFs: Unusual WDFW E-reg
It was bound to happen: After who knows how many thousands upon thousands upon thousands of WDFW emergency fishing rule change notices that have come across my desk over the years, at 5:09 p.m. PST this evening I received what appears to be my first ever Washington trapping rule change notice.
Oregon Fish And Wildlife Commission Names Interim Director, Lists SRKWs As Endangered
Along with declaring southern resident orcas state endangered, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted survival guidelines that in part would enhance Chinook production where capacity and funding exists, as well as picked Davia Palmeri as ODFW interim director starting April 1.
WDFW Commission Talks Cougar Rulemaking
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission did not make a decision today on the scope and timeline of beginning rulemaking around cougar hunting regulations, as had been scheduled, but will meet next month on emerging lion science.