Rough weather and high water put a damper on fishing in a number of areas during the first week of June, but anglers are expected to be out in force once conditions improve.

For one thing, catch rates for hatchery-reared salmon and steelhead - not to mention sturgeon and shad - have been picking up in a number of areas around the state. For another, popular fisheries for crab in Puget Sound and summer chinook in the Columbia River are set to kick off this month.

"I think a lot of anglers are just waiting on the weather," said Joe Hymer, a fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in Vancouver, Wash. "There are a lot of great fishing opportunities available here and throughout the state this June, and all signs indicate this is the time to go."

Salmon fishing off the Washington coast started out slow, but sprung to life on the first Sunday in June when the waves flattened out, said Wendy Beeghley, another WDFW fish biologist. On that day, 65 anglers checked at the Westport dock took home 42 chinook salmon. "That's pretty good fishing," she said.

Meanwhile, salmon fishing has been good on the Yakima River and shad are finally showing up en masse on the lower Columbia River, where anglers have also been averaging a legal-size sturgeon for every three rods.

Anglers planning a fishing trip may also want to note the following dates, when a number of new fisheries will open around the state.

• June 14 - Sockeye salmon on the Baker and Skagit rivers.
• June 15 - Chinook salmon in Tulalip Bay "bubble."
• June 16 - Hatchery steelhead (Rocky Point/Tongue Point to Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco) and summer chinook (Bonneville Dam to Priest Rapids Dam).
• June 18 - Crab in marine areas 4, 5, 13.
• June 21-28 - Adult summer chinook (below Bonneville Dam).
• July 2 - Puget Sound crab fishery (marine areas 6, 7-South, 8-1, 8-2, 9, 10, 11, 12).

For more information on these and other fishing opportunities around the state, see the regional reports below. Anglers should also check the Fishing in Washington fishing rule pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) for specific regulations affecting each fishery.

Big game hunters are also reminded that June 18 is the last day to apply for special deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep permits for fall seasons. See details in the 2008-09 Big Game Hunting regulations pamphlet, available at license vendors, WDFW offices, or online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm.

North Puget Sound

• Fishing: With halibut and lingcod fisheries winding down in the region, saltwater anglers are gearing up for salmon season openers. In the freshwater, anglers are already casting for chinook and will soon have an opportunity to hook sockeye.

  Baker and Skagit River sockeye fisheries begin June 14, when anglers on each river will have a daily limit of two sockeye salmon at least 12 inches in length. On the Skagit, the sockeye fishery is open from the Dalles Bridge to 200 feet above the east bank of the Baker River. Anglers should note that there are two closures on each river in late June and early July, said Brett Barkdull, WDFW fish biologist. Barkdull suggests checking WDFW's Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm) before heading out on the river.

  "We haven't seen any sockeye in the river yet, so I don't expect a lot of fish for the opener," Barkdull said. "But there should a few fish around, and it should pick up after a week or so."

  Until those fisheries get going, anglers can cast for chinook salmon on portions of the Skagit, Cascade and Skykomish rivers. The Skagit is open to hatchery chinook retention from the Highway 530 bridge at Rockport to the Cascade River. On the Cascade, anglers can fish from the mouth of the river to the Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge. Both stretches are open through July 15.

  "Overall, the chinook fishery has been fair," Barkdull said. "There were plenty of people out for the opener, but since then effort has tapered off." The daily limit on the Skagit and Cascade rivers is four hatchery chinook, two of which may be adults (chinook salmon at least 24 inches in length). Barkdull reminds anglers that statewide rules require anglers to stop fishing for salmon once they have kept two adults.

  On the Skykomish, hatchery chinook fishing is open from the Lewis Street Bridge in Monroe to the Wallace River through July 31. Anglers fishing the Skykomish have a daily limit of two hatchery chinook salmon.

  Out on the saltwater, the northern portion of Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) is open to catch-and-release fishing for salmon. Fishing is allowed north of a line from Point Monroe to Meadow Point. Handling rules are in effect for this fishery. Regulations in Marine Area 10 change beginning July 1, when anglers will be allowed to keep two salmon per day, but they must continue to release all chinook.

  Farther north, the Tulalip Bay "bubble" salmon fishery begins June 15. The bubble is open each week from Friday through noon Monday through Sept. 1. The bubble will reopen Sept. 6 with fishing allowed Saturdays and Sundays only. Anglers fishing the Tulalip bubble will have a two-salmon daily limit and chinook must be 22 inches in length to retain.

  Meanwhile, time is running out to hook halibut and lingcod. The fishery for halibut is only open two more days June 12-13, while the ling fishery goes through June 15. Anglers have a daily limit of one halibut with no minimum size limit. For lingcod, there's a one-fish daily limit, with a minimum size of 26 inches and a maximum size of 40 inches.

  Crab fishing is just around the corner. The fishery opens July 2 in marine areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay), 8-2 (Port Susan and Port Gardner), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10, and the southern portion of 7 (San Juan Islands). Fisheries in those areas will be open on a Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule, plus the entire Labor Day weekend. See WDFW's sport-crabbing website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/crab/) for more information.

  Most spot shrimp fisheries are closed in the region. The exception is the Elliott Bay portion of Marine Area 10, which is open for one more day of fishing on June 14 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shrimpers can also drop a pot for coonstripe and pink shrimp in some marine areas. For details on shrimp fisheries check WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/shrimpreg/shrimpindex.shtml.

  Before heading out, anglers should check the rules and regulations for all saltwater and freshwater fisheries in WDFW's Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).

• Hunting: Hunters are encouraged to apply for special fall hunting permits as early as possible before the June 18 deadline. Application instructions and details on permit hunts for deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep, and turkey are in the Big Game Hunting Rules pamphlet, available at WDFW offices, license vendors, and at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm. All applications must be submitted via a toll-free telephone number (1-877-945-3492) or the website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

• Wildlife viewing: Sightings of gray whales in the region have tapered off recently, but reports of orcas have picked up. A "superpod," made up of members of J, K and L pods, was seen cruising the west side of San Juan Island. The group of resident whales was moving slowly close to shore, and there were lots of "tail slaps and breaching," according to one observer reporting to the Orca Network (http://www.orcanetwork.org/sightings/map.html). A new orca calf also was spotted with the group. The young orca appears to belong to K-14, Lea, according to another observer.

  Meanwhile, birders visiting the southwest shore of Lake Washington recently sighted some purple martins. The martins, the least common swallow in Washington, were spotted foraging close to the water just south of Stan Sayres Memorial Park, according to a report on Tweeters birding website (http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/). The birds can sometimes be found in western Washington from mid-April to late August, mostly over water.

  Elsewhere, birders at the Everett Sewage Pond reported four redhead ducks - two males and two females - near Langus Riverfront Park. The birders also spotted several other interesting species out on Port Gardner Bay including about 60 bald eagles milling about in the mudflats, hundreds of western grebes, several scoters and a greater yellowlegs.

South Sound/Olympic Peninsula

• Fishing: Late spring storms have slowed salmon fishing off the coast, but anglers have been finding chinook in the calmer waters of southern Puget Sound. Meanwhile, sport fishers still have a chance to catch late-season halibut on the north coast and shrimp in some areas of the Sound, and three marine areas will open to crab fishing June 18.

  Rough weather put a damper on all coastal fisheries during the first week of June, including the salmon season that opened in all four ocean areas. Anglers fishing off of Westport and Ilwaco averaged one salmon for every three rods, and catch rates were even lower off the north coast, said Wendy Beeghley, WDFW fish biologist. But on Sunday, June 7, when the waves flattened out, creel checkers counted 65 anglers with 42 chinook at the dock in Westport.

  "The first week in June was especially tough on the north coast and few anglers were on the water," Beeghley said. "We'll get a better idea of how good the fishing really is once the weather calms down and more anglers get out on the water."

  Under this year's rules, anglers are limited to one chinook salmon per day from June 1-28. All other salmon species - including coho - must be released during that period. Starting June 29, the daily limit will increase to two salmon per day, including one chinook. As in past years, anglers may retain fin-clipped hatchery coho, but must release any unmarked wild coho they intercept.

  Salmon fishing in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) is open seven days a week from June 1-28 and will shift to five days a week, Sundays through Thursdays starting June 29. Marine Area 2 (Westport) is open five days a week, Sundays through Thursdays. On the north coast, marine areas 3 and 4 (La Push and Neah Bay) are open Tuesdays through Saturdays.

  Salmon fisheries in marine areas 5, 6, and 12 (Sekiu/Pillar Point, the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca and Hood Canal) will open July 3, seven days a week. Because each area has specific rules and regulations, anglers are advised to check the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet before heading out (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).

  Weather has also been a factor in the recreational halibut fishery off the north coast, but anglers will get four more days to fish in June. Fishing will open June 14 and 21 in marine areas 3 and 4 (La Push and Neah Bay) at all depths, followed by a nearshore fishery June 17 and 19. In the nearshore fishery, halibut fishing will be restricted to waters no more than 30 fathoms deep. Coordinates and other regulations are included in the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet and available online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/creel/halibut.

  On inside waters, halibut fishing will close June 13 from Port Angeles to Puget Sound (marine areas 6-11 and 13), but anglers can still fish five days a week in Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) through July 21. Those fishing in that area might want to sign up for the 13th annual Sekiu Halibut Derby, which will be held June 14 and 15. For a $15 entry fee, anglers will get a chance to win the $10-per-pound purse. Call Olson's Resort for more information at 360-963-2311.

  Lingcod fishing closes June 15 throughout Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but remains open through mid-October on the coast. Shrimp fishing remains open daily in marine areas 4, 5 and 6, while fishing for non-spot shrimp (coonstripe and pink) is under way in marine areas 11 and 13. All spot shrimp caught in those areas must be released.

  Dungeness crab fishing starts June 18 in three marine areas, with more to follow. Here's the summer line-up:

  • June 18: Marine areas 4 (Neah Bay east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line), 5 (Sekiu) and 13 (south Puget Sound) will be open seven days a week through Jan. 2, 2009.

  • July 2: Marine areas 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 7 South (San Juan Islands), 8-1 (Deception Pass to East Point), 8-2 (East Point to Possession Point), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton), 11 (Tacoma/Vashon) and 12 (Hood Canal) will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays only, plus the entire Labor Day weekend and will close the evening of Sept. 1 for a catch assessment. These areas will reopen in the fall if recreational harvest quotas have not been met.

  • July 16: Marine Area 7 East (Bellingham and Samish bays) will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays only, plus the entire Labor Day weekend and will close the evening of Sept. 27.

  • Aug. 13: Marine Area 7 North (Lummi Island/Blaine) will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays only, plus the entire Labor Day weekend and will close the evening of Sept. 27.

  Like last year, crab fishers will be required to record their Dungeness crab catch on two separate catch record cards - one for the summer season and one for the fall/winter season. Also like last year, they will have the option of mailing in their catch cards or reporting their catch on the Internet.

  Meanwhile, salmon anglers in Marine Area 11 (Vashon Island/Tacoma) have had some success since the season started June 1, said Steve Thiesfeld, WDFW fish biologist. A WDFW creel check reported about one fish for every four rods over the June 7-8 weekend.

  "There are fish to be caught, but anglers going out this time of year need to be persistent and spend some time on the water," Thiesfeld said. "We expect better results when the main run comes in about mid-July."

  Thiesfeld also suggests anglers try fishing in south Puget Sound (Marine Area 13), where salmon fishing has been open since March 1.

  The fisheries in both areas run seven days a week, with a limit of two salmon a day. Minimum size for chinook is 22 inches, with no minimum for other species. Commencement Bay is closed to salmon fishing until Aug. 1. Selective fishing rules are in effect, requiring anglers to use single, barbless hooks (no treble hooks) and release any wild chinook.

  Details on rules and regulations are included in the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet, http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm.

  Sport fishing for spring chinook continues on the Sol Duc, where salmon have begun to return to the hatchery. Salmon fishing will open July 1 on the Bogachiel, Calawah, Quinault and Nisqually rivers. Regulations vary for rivers throughout the area and anglers are advised to check 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet before heading out.

• Hunting: June 18 is the deadline for big game hunters to apply for special deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep permits for fall seasons. See details in the 2008-09 Big Game Hunting pamphlet, available at license vendors, WDFW offices, or on-line at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm.

• Wildlife viewing: For the sixth year in a row, peregrine falcon chicks have hatched in a nest box on a crane at the Port of Olympia on the Budd Inlet waterfront. The falcon chicks - two females and one male - were hatched in April near the top of the 175-foot crane, the southernmost of the two cranes at the port marine terminals. The chicks were banded in May by falcon experts under a contract with WDFW. They are expected to fly the nest later in June.

  Approximately 70 harlequin ducks have been sighted at the mouth of the Elwha River near Port Angeles. The harlequin is a small sea duck noted for its distinctive dark blue, red and white coloration patterns that occur during breeding season. For other sightings of the many birds who populate the north Olympic Peninsula, travelers can visit these bird hot spots: South Sequim Bay/Blyn, John Wayne Marina and Washington Harbor, Dungeness Bay, at Three Crabs Restaurant and the Dungeness Oyster House, Dungeness Recreation Area (Clallam County Park), Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge on the Dungeness Spit, Sequim's Railroad Bridge Park, Olympic National Forest, Dungeness and Greywolf River areas, Olympic National Park at Hurricane Ridge, Ediz Hook in Port Angeles, Salt Creek County Park and Highway 112 to Neah Bay.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: About one in five private boat anglers have been catching legal-size sturgeon in the lower Columbia River below the Wauna powerlines. Catch rates for fin-clipped summer steelhead are picking up on several area tributaries, and shad are finally starting to show up in creels from Kalama upstream to Bonneville Dam.

  "Anglers have a number of good opportunities to catch fish right now, and they'll have even more later this month," Hymer said. He was referring to upcoming fisheries for summer steelhead and summer chinook on the mainstem Columbia, which will open in mid-June.

  The steelhead fishery, delayed for a month below the I-5 Bridge by concerns about spring chinook returns, will open June 16 on the Columbia River from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line up to the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco. Summer chinook fishing will also open June 16 from Bonneville Dam to Priest Rapids Dam and run through July 31. Below Bonneville, anglers can keep jack salmon starting June 16 but may only retain adult chinook June 21-28.

  Approximately 52,000 summer chinook - up from 37,200 last year - are expected to return to the Columbia River this season, Hymer said. The upriver summer steelhead run is expected to come in about the same as last year, about 325,000 fish, he said.

  Hymer said the fishery for summer chinook - known as "June hogs" due to their size - should draw a strong turnout by anglers above and below Bonneville Dam. "These are big, chrome-bright fish headed for the upper Columbia River," he said. "It's not uncommon for summer chinook to run up to 40 pounds, so it's hardly surprising that it's such a popular fishery."

  As in years past, anglers must release all wild, unmarked steelhead, but may keep any chinook salmon measuring at least 12 inches. Daily limits are two hatchery steelhead and up to six chinook - including two adults over 24 inches - in all areas of the Columbia open to fishing for those species.

  Hymer said high water throughout the Columbia Basin should benefit bank anglers and advises boat anglers to stick close to shore. "Don't anchor too deep or try to fish fast water," he said. "Most of these fish stay fairly close to the bank." He also advises anglers of all kinds to use heavy gear. "Remember, these fish can get big and there's been lots of water."

  Meanwhile, sturgeon anglers are already reeling in substantial numbers of big fish from the Columbia River estuary. Private boat anglers have been averaging a keeper for every five rods, and charter boats have been doubling those odds. In a recent creel survey, 165 boat anglers hauled in 51 legal-size white sturgeon to the Deep River and Knappton ramps. A few more were taken near the mouth of the Cowlitz River and in the Bonneville Pool.

  Anglers should be aware that sturgeon retention below the Wauna powerlines is scheduled to end June 24 - and possibly sooner if the 13,143-fish quota is taken before then. Check the WDFW website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/) or the Fishing Hotline (360-902-2500) for updates.

  Shad have also made a somewhat belated appearance on the mainstem Columbia, as evidenced by the fact that 39,999 were counted crossing Bonneville Dam on June 9. Catch rates have picked up, too, especially in the gorge where Oregon sampled three boats with nearly 200 fish during the first weekend in June. Fifteen boat anglers around Woodland accounted for 58 fish, while bank anglers fishing on the Oregon side below Bonneville Dam took home 4.5 shad per rod.

  Hymer said it is still not clear whether this year's shad run is down from past years, or just later than usual. "We'll have a better idea once we see some more dam counts," he said. "But I'd be surprised if we didn't see a million-plus fish pass Bonneville this year."

  The Cowlitz, Kalama, and Lewis rivers are closed for retention of chinook salmon, but bank anglers are still reeling in springers from the Wind River. The best action has been near the coffer dam, where 51 anglers were checked with 36 fish during the week ending June 8. Spring chinook fishing on Drano Lake, on the other hand, "is pretty much over for the year," Hymer said.

  On the other hand, hatchery steelhead has been picking up on the Cowlitz River and several other tributaries to the lower Columbia River. Effort has been light on the lower Cowlitz River, but 22 boat anglers accounted for 16 hatchery steelies in a recent creel check. Anglers are also catching some steelhead from the mainstem and North Fork Lewis. Bonus bag limits for hatchery steelhead are in effect on portions of the Cowlitz and North Fork Lewis.

  Like last year, WDFW has began transporting hatchery summer-run steelhead that are not needed for broodstock to Kress Lake near Kalama, where anglers can count two against their five-fish trout limit. Through early June, several hundred fish had been trucked to the lake. At Riffe Lake, bank anglers fishing around the dam are catching landlocked coho, and Mayfield Lake has been providing some good fishing for rainbows, especially around the hatchery. Goose Lake near Carson may not be accessible until July 4th this year because of heavy snow.

• Hunting: Hunters are encouraged to apply for special fall hunting permits as early as possible before the June 18 deadline. Application instructions and details on permit hunts for deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep, and turkey are in the Big Game Hunting Rules pamphlet, available at WDFW offices, license vendors, and at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm. All applications must be submitted via a toll-free telephone number (1-877-945-3492) or the website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

• Wildlife viewing: Wood ducks are a common sight in Clark and Cowlitz counties, but not so in Lewis County. Redheads are common in Adams County, but rarely seen in Cowlitz or Skamania counties. Those are just a few findings of an updated list of bird sightings in all 39 Washington counties posted on the Washington Birder website. The list includes 325 species reported to Washington Birder through the end of April.

  "While individual county listing is fun, the idea behind this project was to try to keep track of the 'community' list - all the birds seen by anyone, rather than just those seen by one person," said Matt Bartels, who maintains the website. "We've got compilers keeping track of the cumulative year list for each county in Washington and they'd be grateful for any help you might have in filling some of the gaps."

  To get involved in the project or view the latest findings, check out the Washington Birder website at http://www.wabirder.com/bartel.html.

  As noted above, shad are now running up the Columbia River in large numbers. During the first week in June, up to 4,000 shad per day passed by the fish-viewing windows at Bonneville Dam - and that number could grow to over 50,000 per day by the end of the month. For those who want to make sure they see fish during a trip to the dam, now would be the time.

  To get to the fish-viewing window at the Washington Shore Visitor Complex, take Washington State Highway 14 east to Milepost 40 (about 5 miles from Stevenson) and turn into the Bonneville Dam visitor center. The visitor center is the glass building at the end of the powerhouse.

Eastern Washington:

• Fishing: Marc Divens, WDFW fish biologist, reports good bass and crappie fishing at Spokane County's Downs, Eloika and Newman lakes. Crappie fishing is also good now at Long Lake, the Spokane River reservoir. Anglers are catching tiger muskies at Ferry County's Curlew Lake and Spokane County's Newman and Silver lakes, while kokanee are averaging 11 inches at Loon Lake in Stevens County.

  Trout lakes throughout the region remain productive, Divens said. In Spokane County, Amber, Badger, Clear, Fish, and West Medical lakes are among the best. Lincoln County's Fishtrap Lake is also a good bet, he said.

  Meanwhile, many rivers and streams are still out of shape for fishing, with continuing rainfall throughout much of the region.

• Hunting: Big game hunters have until June 18 to apply for special deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep permits for fall seasons. See details in the 2008-09 Big Game Hunting regulations pamphlet, available at license vendors, WDFW offices, or on-line at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm.

  Certified master hunters are invited to a meeting June 14 in Spokane to discuss the new Master Hunter program and upcoming hunts in northeastern Washington. The meeting is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. at the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council Headquarters, 6116 North Market Street. At the meeting, WDFW staff and representatives from the Master Hunter advisory group will provide updates on recent changes to the program and listen to suggestions on its future direction.

• Wildlife viewing: June is the season of wandering moose in this region. Traditionally, cow moose seem to move closer to waterways to give birth to calves this time of year, said Woody Myers, WDFW wildlife biologist. "The yearlings or two-year-olds that have been following mom around are suddenly left to make it on their own," Myers said. "If they find themselves in an urban or suburban setting, sometimes that means trouble. They're interesting animals to watch come through your neighborhood, but people should keep dogs confined and kids under control to avoid complicating moose problems."

North Central Washington:

• Fishing: Art Viola, WDFW district fish biologist, notes spring chinook salmon fishing is now open on the Entiat River through July 15. The special season, which is not listed in the rules pamphlet, is possible because approximately 1,600 non-endemic, hatchery-origin spring chinook are expected to return to the Entiat River, along with 137 to 214 natural origin-spring chinook.

  "The selective fishery will target non-endemic hatchery spring chinook that pose a risk to the natural origin spring chinook in the Entiat River, which are listed as endangered," Viola said. Fishing is open for the non-endemic, hatchery-origin fish - which can be identified by a clipped adipose fin - with a daily limit of two, minimum size 12 inches.

  Angling is allowed from the Alternate Highway 97 Bridge near the mouth of the Entiat River, upstream about six miles to 400 feet downstream of the Entiat National Fish Hatchery discharge channel. Selective fishery rules are in effect, requiring the use of single barbless hooks, non-buoyant lure restriction, night closure and mandatory release of chinook with an intact adipose fin and all steelhead. Handling rules are also in effect for this fishery. Bait is allowed. Fishery duration may be modified as necessary for protection of the ESA-listed spring chinook.

• Hunting: Big game hunters have until June 18 to apply for special deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep permits for fall seasons. See details in the 2008-09 Big Game Hunting regulations pamphlet, available at license vendors, WDFW offices, or on-line at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm.

• Wildlife viewing: Butterfly watching is in full swing, especially at WDFW's Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in Okanogan County. The 14,000-acre area, with its rich diversity of habitat and plant types, has at least 75 confirmed species of butterflies and another 30 or 40 highly probable species in the area. Swallowtails, whites, hairstreaks, blues, true brushfoots and spread-wing skippers are the earliest spotted, with fritillaries, satyrs and others appearing as summer advances. To plan a butterfly trip to the Sinlahekin, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/sinlahekin/index.htm.

South Central Washington:

• Fishing: Jim Cummins, WDFW fish biologist, reports that salmon fishing on the Yakima River between Union Gap and Roza Dam is very good. "River flows have dropped, fish are moving and the weather has improved, making the prospects good for the rest of the season," Cummins said. The majority of the catch are adipose-clipped hatchery fish, and more than half are jacks. Wild chinook, which can be identified by an intact adipose fin, must be released. The season ends June 30.

  Anglers should note that the daily limit for hatchery spring chinook on the Yakima has also increased from two to six fish, Cummins said. Complete rules for this fishery are online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm.

  Fishing is also good at Clear Lake in Yakima County, said Cummins. "In spite of cold, windy weather, 146 anglers caught 404 rainbow trout at a June 7 fishing derby," he said. Nearly half were caught and released. Triploid trout have been planted at Clear Lake, but access to Leech and Dog lakes is blocked by snow, Cummins said. "We hope to plant triploids before the end of June in those lakes, and in Lost Lake (Kittitas County)," he said.

  Most rivers and streams opened to trout fishing June 1, but high, turbid water flows kept anglers off the rivers through the first week of the month. Fishing should pick up, but higher than normal flows due to late snowmelt may reduce fishing success for several weeks, Cummins said.

  The Naches River is one of many rivers still flowing high. Best bets might be small tributary streams, such as the Teanaway, Naneum, Taneum, Little Naches and Rattlesnake Creek, Cummins said. These creeks have a number of special regulations, and starting this year there are new regulations on the Teanaway River and tributaries. Some reaches are closed to fishing and the mainstem Teanaway is catch and release. The new rules on the Teanaway are designed to protect a dwindling bull trout population. Before heading out, anglers should check the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).

  For anglers interested in bass, crappie and bluegills, the I-82 Ponds are good bets, Cummins said. Several of those ponds are also planted with trout. Fish planting information for the I-82 Ponds and other lakes can be found on the WDFW website at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/weekly/.

  An emergency regulation corrected a problem with the new regulation for the North Fork Tieton River. Contrary to the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet, fishing is open for all game fish except bull trout on the lower North Fork Tieton River between Rimrock Lake and Clear Lake Dam. Details are available on WDFW's emergency rule website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).

• Hunting: Big game hunters have until June 18 to apply for special deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep permits for fall seasons. See details in the 2008-09 Big Game Hunting regulations pamphlet, available at license vendors, WDFW offices, or on-line at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/hunter.htm.

• Wildlife viewing: Some animals are having offspring and now moving about with families in tow. Deer fawns, elk calves, coyote pups, cougar kittens, and bear cubs are showing up all over. These wild youngsters are fun to look at but should not be approached and or removed from the wild. Protective parent animals are almost always nearby, so what may look like an "abandoned" baby could mean trouble. Taking wildlife into captivity is against the law and truly orphaned or injured animals should be handled only by state licensed wildlife rehabilitators, who can be contacted through WDFW'' regional office in Yakima.