1-day Monday Keeper Sturgeon Opener Proposed On Bonneville, The Dalles Pools
Columbia sturgeon managers will mull a February 16 sturgeon retention opener on both the Bonneville and The Dalles Pools when they meet Wednesday morning.
Congress, Coalition Held The Line On Important Federal Funding For Salmon
The Northwest delegation to Congress, with strong local support from strange bedfellows, were able to secure funding for Columbia River salmon programs that had been threatened a year ago.
WDFW Commission To Talk Columbia Management, Game Plan Adoption, Procedures Feb. 12-14
When members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meet late next week, they’re scheduled to “discuss Columbia River salmon management; decide on adoption of the Game Management Plan; and consider Commission rules of procedure and annual planning,” among other items.
WDFW Looking For Input On 2026 Hunt Regs, ’27-28 Coastal Bottomfish Fisheries
Washington hunting and coastal bottomfish managers are asking for public comment on upcoming seasons, including 2026 big game permit levels and waterfowl opportunities, and 2027-28 lingcod and rockfish bag limits and seasons.
A Look At 2026 Fish and Wildlife Bills In Olympia At Cutoff Deadline
What do Punxsutawney Phil and the Olympia Outsider™ have in common? At about this time every even-numbered year, we both climb out of our holes and declare there will be six more weeks of winter and/or the Washington legislative session, plus or minus some number of WDFW-, fish- and wildlife-related bills.
ODFW, CCA Talk Columbia, Willamette Sea Lion Management Results, Needs At Meeting
When it comes to sea lions in the Columbia and Willamette, it can seem like a losing battle, but a presentation last night showed that lethal removals are in fact working to save salmon and steelhead – nearly 50,000 of the fish at two pinch points since mid-2020 alone.
WSU Elk Hoof Disease Researchers Find Different Kinds Of Bacteria ‘May Be Working Together’
Elk hoof disease researchers at Washington State University have found that several other bacterial species may be playing a role in the condition, “suggesting the disease involves multiple microbes rather than a single cause.”
MeatEater Tackles Columbia Salmon Issues
BY ANDY WALGAMOTT, NORTHWEST SPORTSMAN MAGAZINE Steve Rinella took on one of the West’s weightiest and thorniest issues, restoring Columbia River salmon and steelhead abundance, on his MeatEater podcast this week. Over 163 minutes, Rinella and crew interview Donella Miller and Doug Hatch of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission about historical runs, creation of […]
Moose, Three-deer Tags To Be Auctioned Off At 26th Annual Seattle Sportsmen’s Convention
Two Washington big game auction tags will be up for grabs at the 26th annual Seattle Sportsmen’s Convention in early March.
Washington Broodstock Steelhead Bill Receives Hearing In Olympia
A bipartisan bill directing WDFW to fire up coveted wild steelhead-based “broodstock conservation programs” on all Washington rivers with native runs received a public hearing in Olympia today.
WDFW Proposing Changes To Geoduck, Cockle Clam Regs, Other Shellfish Season Tweaks
Washington clammers may not dig this news. WDFW is taking comment on a proposal that would chop the geoduck daily limit sharply, increase the minimum size for cockle clams, shorten seasons at two popular Pugetropolis beaches, and make other changes to 2026 shellfish regulations.
Big Tiger Trout Tops All At Bonaparte Ice Fishing Derby
A 12-plus-pound tiger trout took big fish honors and a youngster went back to back in the second of two ice fishing derbies held in Northcentral Washington’s Okanogan Highlands this month.
January 29-February 4 Razor Clam Dig OKed On Washington Coast
A seven-day razor clam opener has been greenlighted on Washington Coast beaches, with digging starting Thursday January 29, state shellfish managers announce.
Lower Columbia Sturgeon Managers See ‘Severe Recruitment Concern’ As Keeper Season Again Scrubbed
This will make for the fourth year in a row and seventh of the last 13 that it will be catch-and-release only between Buoy 10 and Bonneville Dam, with managers pointing to a sturgeon population that’s essentially been turned on its head, with more adults and subadults than juveniles. For the first time in their reporting, they use the phrase “severe recruitment concern” to describe the situation.
22.5-incher Wins Grand Prize At Molson Ice Fishing Derby
A 22.5-inch trout was the grand prize winner at last weekend’s 22nd Annual Molson Ice Fishing Derby, the first of two notable hardwater contests in the Okanogan Highlands this month.
WA US Senator Secures $190 Million For Fish Passage, Other Work On Upper Green River
Washington’s senior US senator says she has resecured $190 million for a fish passage and water storage project on eastern King County’s Green River.