Warming temperatures aren't the only good reason for Washingtonians to get outside in the coming weeks. Halibut and spring chinook fisheries are under way, the spring turkey season is open statewide, shrimp fisheries in Puget Sound are just around the corner and recently opened lakes on both sides of the Cascades are still teeming with trout.

"We stock lakes with trout for the whole season, not just opening day," said Jon Anderson, a fishery manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "Trout fishing should be most productive in lowland lakes through June, and then again in September. Fishing should be good in the higher-elevation lakes, and those stocked with kokanee, right through the summer."

Hatchery crews have already begun re-stocking lakes since the opening day rush, and will continue planting trout into September. Those fish range from 8-10 inch rainbows to 1.5-pound triploids. For more information about stocking schedules, Anderson suggests anglers check the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/index.htm.

Anderson also has some additional advice for boat anglers, particularly those with young people onboard. "Anyone under the age of 13 is required by law to wear a personal floatation device aboard a boat," he said. "It's not only the law, it's common sense."

It also makes sense for some of the other fisheries getting started, or already under way, throughout the state, including:

• Shrimp: The popular fishery begins May 3 in most areas of Puget Sound. See the regional reports below for details.

• Halibut: Fishing is under way in most areas of Puget Sound and will get started on the southern Pacific coast May 1. See the reports from the South Sound/Olympic Peninsula and North Puget Sound regions below for more information.

• Lingcod: The lingcod fishery is open on the Pacific coast and will get under way May 1 in Puget Sound. See the reports from the North Puget Sound and South Sound/Olympic Peninsula regions below for more information.

• Razor clams: The last razor-clam dig of the spring season will get under way on morning tides May 3. See the South Sound/Olympic Peninsula regional report below for details.

• Spring chinook: Counts of migrating spring chinook salmon are picking up at Bonneville Dam, and the fishery is expected to improve in the next couple of weeks. See the Southwest regional report for more information.

Meanwhile, hunters still have an opportunity to go afield and harvest a turkey during the next few weeks. The spring turkey hunt runs through May 31, and hunters have a three-gobbler limit - two birds in eastern Washington and one bird in western Washington.

Wildlife viewers also have plenty of reasons to get out and about in the next few weeks. Gray whales, minke whales and orcas have been spotted in Puget Sound, a number of interesting bird species have been reported throughout the state and several events will take place in May.

One of the biggest bird-watching events of the year is scheduled May 2-4 in Hoquiam, where the 13th annual Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival will be held. On May 10, several other events are scheduled, including International Migratory Bird Day, the Clallam County Birdathon and Tukwila's Backyard Wildlife Festival.

See the regional reports below for more information about wildlife viewing, fishing and hunting opportunities in the coming weeks.

North Puget Sound

• Fishing: The blackmouth season in the region comes to a close at the end of today (April 30), but saltwater anglers still have good reason to get out on Puget Sound, where halibut fisheries are under way and the popular shrimp season gets started in just a few days. In the freshwater, the lowland lake fishing season recently opened and anglers can cast for trout at numerous lakes throughout the region.

  The weather was good for the lowland-lakes opener, but catch rates for trout anglers were slightly down this year, said Jon Anderson, WDFW resident trout manager. According to creel checks, the lake that produced the largest catch in the region was King County's Pine Lake, where 92 anglers took home 247 trout and released 365. In terms of the highest catch rates, Island County's Goss Lake tops the list. Two anglers at Goss caught their limit of five trout on opening day.

  Elsewhere, anglers in Skagit County averaged 4.4 trout per rod at Heart and McMurray lakes, while those at Sixteen Lake averaged 4.3 fish per rod. Anglers fishing Snohomish County's Howard Lake and San Juan County's Cascade Lake also did well. Anglers at those two lakes averaged four trout per rod. In Whatcom County, anglers at Toad Lake averaged 3.8 fish per rod, the same average as those fishing King County's Steel Lake.

  "We couldn't have asked for nicer weather for the lowland lake opener," said Anderson. "Anglers of all ages caught lots of nice trout, including several real lunkers, but because waters remained cool so long into spring, catch rates tended to be lower in many lakes. However, the fish will still be there later in this five-to six-month season."

  Under statewide rules, anglers have a daily limit of five trout on most lakes. Released legal-sized trout, caught with bait, count toward the daily bag limit. Complete information on stocking schedules for rainbow, cutthroat and triploid trout is available on WDFW's website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/index.htm).

  Out on Puget Sound, the blackmouth season closes at the end of the day April 30, but halibut fisheries continue in the region. The usual hot spots - Mutiny and Admiralty bays, as well as Eastern and Partridge banks - are the best bets for flatfish early in the season. Halibut fishing is open five days a week, Thursday through Monday, with a daily limit of one halibut and no minimum size limit.

  Beginning May 1, anglers in the region also will have an opportunity to drop a line for other bottom dwellers, such as lingcod, rockfish and cabezon.

  While out on the Sound, bring some shrimp pots. The popular shrimp season opens throughout the region May 3. Details are available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/shrimpreg/shrimpindex.shtml.

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

• Hunting: The spring wild turkey season remains open. The general season runs April 15 through May 31 throughout the state. For more information, a Wild Turkey Spring Season brochure is available at WDFW regional offices and on the department's website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/turkey/index.htm).

• Wildlife viewing: Whales continue to be the main attraction for wildlife viewers in the region. Gray whales have been spotted making their way up and down Saratoga Passage, where sightings of the large marine mammals have been reported almost daily. Minke whales also have been seen in the area, and possibly a juvenile humpback whale as well, according to reports on the Orca Network (http://www.orcanetwork.org/sightings/map.html). Farther north, killer whales continue to travel the waters between Victoria, British Columbia, and the San Juan Islands.

  Meanwhile, birders at the Montlake Fill spotted numerous species, including yellow-rumped warblers, a killdeer, a small flock of Least sandpipers, Canada geese, a Cooper's hawk and an eagle mobbed by several crows.

  People interested in the region's wildlife might want to drop in on the Backyard Wildlife Festival. The event begins at 9 a.m. May 10 at the Tukwila Community Center, and features a variety of activities and educational opportunities about attracting and supporting wildlife through gardening and landscaping, as well as creating and preserving wildlife habitat. Among the scheduled speakers is Russell Link, wildlife biologist for WDFW and author of "Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest" and "Living with Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest." Link will be discussing landscaping for wildlife. For more information about the festival visit http://www.backyardwildlifefair.org/index.htm.

South Sound/Olympic Peninsula

• Fishing: Plenty of trout remain after cold lake temperatures lowered catch rates for anglers on the opening day of trout season. Meanwhile, a final spring razor clamM dig is set for May 3-7, shrimp season gets under way May 3 in most areas of Puget Sound, and halibut and lingcod seasons expand to more areas.

  Greeted by sunny skies, anglers of all ages came out for the opening day of trout season, but the fish were slow to bite in many lakes, said Jon Anderson, WDFW fish biologist. "The boat ramps were busy and people caught some nice trout, but the water's still a bit too cold to get many of the fish to bite," Anderson said. "Once it warms up, people should be getting their limits."

  According to opening-day reports, Anderson Lake in Jefferson County gave up 3.75 fish per angler, while Clear Lake in Pierce County yielded 3.5 fish per rod. Anglers at Stump Lake in Mason County averaged about 2.8 fish per rod. In Grays Harbor County, the winner of the Kid's Derby at Aberdeen Lake landed a rainbow trout weighing 14.2 pounds, and an angler won the derby at Failor Lake with an 11-pound, 11-ounce rainbow.

  Weekly reports and information on WDFW trout-stocking plans are available online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/weekly/.

  On the saltwater, recreational shrimp fishing opens Saturday, May 3 in most areas of Puget Sound. The exception is the Discovery Bay Shrimp District near Port Townsend, which will remain closed to both spot and non-spot shrimp fishing this year.

  Marine Area 11-extending from the northern tip of Vashon Island to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge-will be open on Saturday, May 3 only, to keep the recreational catch within the area's spot shrimp harvest quota.

  Various fishing schedules will be in effect in the following areas:

  • Marine Areas 4 (east of the Bonilla Line), 5, 6 (excluding the Discovery Bay Shrimp District) and 13 will be open daily beginning May 3 at 7 a.m. until the quota is reached, or through Sept. 15, whichever comes first. Marine Area 13 closes for spot shrimp May 31. Coon strip and pink shrimp season closes Oct. 15.

  • Hood Canal (Marine Area 12) will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 3, 7, 10 and 14, or until the quota is reached, whichever comes first. Additional dates and times may be announced if sufficient quota is remaining.

  More information on shrimp seasons and rules is available on the WDFW shellfish hotline at 1-866-880-5431, or online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/.

  Still hankering for clams? If so, good tides should help razor clam diggers get their last limits of the season May 3-7, said Dan Ayres, WDFW fish biologist. "The low tides should offer excellent digging opportunities, especially if the weather cooperates," Ayres said.

  Long Beach and Twin Harbors will open for morning digs May 3-7, while Copalis and Mocrocks are scheduled to open May 4-5 only. Each day's dig on those beaches must be completed by noon.

  Ayres reminds diggers that portions of the beaches at Long Beach and Twin Harbors are closed to protect nesting western snowy plovers, which are endangered. At Long Beach, the closed area is located north of the Oysterville Road from the state park boundary north to Leadbetter Point. At Twin Harbors, the closed area is located from just south of Midway Beach Road to the first beach-access trail at Grayland Beach State Park. The closed portion at each beach includes the area beyond the mean high tide line.

  "Signs clearly mark the area and instruct people to stay on the hard-packed sand," Ayres said.

  Dates and low tides for the dig are:

  • Saturday, May 3, 5:27 a.m., -0.3 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only

  • Sunday, May 4, 6:16 a.m., -1.2 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks

  • Monday, May 5, 7:04 a.m., -1.9 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks

  • Tuesday, May 6, 7:51 a.m., -2.3 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only

  • Wednesday, May 7, 8:39 a.m., -2.4 ft: Long Beach and Twin Harbors only

  All diggers must have an applicable 2008-09 fishing license to dig razor clams on any beach. A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Licenses can be purchased at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, by telephone (1-866-246-9453), or in person at more than 600 license vendors throughout the state. A list of vendors is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/lic/vendors/vendors.htm.

  Under WDFW rules, harvesters may take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 taken, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's limit must be kept in a separate container.

  Meanwhile, along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, recreational halibut anglers in the Port Angeles area (Marine Area 6) pulled in 60 of the flatfish over the April 26-27 weekend. Next month, those with a competitive streak can try for a $5,000 first prize at the 8th Annual Halibut Derby sponsored by the Port Angeles Salmon Club. The two-day derby will be held May 24-25 near the Dungeness Spit. Ticket information is available at http://www.swainsinc.com or (360) 452-2363.

  Halibut fishing in marine areas 6-11 and 13 will continue to run five days a week Thursday through Monday through June 13.

  Anglers looking for more opportunity can soon cast their lines wider as the following halibut fisheries open:

  • Columbia River (Ilwaco): Marine Area 1 will open May 1, and continue seven days a week until 70 percent of the quota is reached, or until July 20, whichever occurs first. The fishery will then reopen on Aug. 1 and continue three days a week (Friday-Sunday) until the remaining quota is reached, or Sept. 30, whichever occurs first.

  • South Coast (Westport/Ocean Shores): Marine Area 2 will open on May 1, and then continue two days a week, Sundays and Tuesdays until the quota is reached, or Sept. 30, whichever occurs first. The northern nearshore area will open May 1 and will be open four days a week, Friday through Sunday and Tuesdays, until the quota is reached.

  • North Coast (La Push/Neah Bay): Marine areas 3 and 4 will open on May 13, and continue on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until the quota is reached. If sufficient quota remains, the fishery will reopen on June 17 and 19 (Tuesday and Thursday) in Area 4B and shoreward of a line approximating 30 fm from the Bonilla-Tatoosh line south to the Queets River. All recreational fishing in Marine Areas 3 and 4 outside of these areas will be closed on those dates. If sufficient quota remains, the fishery will reopen in all areas of marine areas 3 and 4 on Saturday, June 21.

  • Strait of Juan de Fuca/Puget Sound: Marine Area 5 (Sekiu) will be open May 22 through July 21, five days a week, Thursday through Monday.

  Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) is closed to fishing for halibut and a number of other species due to low dissolved-oxygen conditions.

  All areas open to fishing have a one-fish daily catch limit and two-halibut possession limit, regardless of whether those fish are fresh or frozen. There is no minimum size limit for halibut caught in any area. All catch must be recorded on a WDFW catch-record card. For additional information on specific regulations for each marine area, call the Fishing Hotline at (360) 902-2500 or check the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/creel/halibut/.

  The lingcod fishery in Neah Bay (Marine Area 4) got underway April 16 and people are generally doing pretty well, especially when the wind is in their favor, said Scott Barbour, WDFW fish biologist. "There were at least 30 boats out there this past weekend," Barbour said. "People did much better on Sunday when the wind shifted from the east to the west."

  Anglers will have more opportunity to fish for lingcod - as well as rockfish and cabezon - when the fishery gets under way May 1 in marine areas 5-13. During the hook-and-line season for lings (May 1-June 15), there's a one-fish daily limit, which must be a minimum size of 26 inches and a maximum size of 40 inches. For rockfish, there is no minimum size and anglers must keep the first legal rockfish caught. Anglers fishing for cabezon have a daily limit of two fish, and there is no minimum size limit. Because specific regulations and restrictions apply to these fisheries, anglers are advised to check the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet for more information (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm).

  On the Olympic Peninsula, the Hoh River below the mouth of Willoughby Creek, will open for salmon fishing May 16 through Aug. 31, Wednesdays through Sundays only. Anglers are limited to six fish per day; only one adult may be retained. All wild chinook must be released. Before heading out, anglers should check the 2008-09 Fishing in Washington pamphlet for boundaries and regulations.

• Hunting: The spring wild turkey season runs April 15 through May 31 throughout the state. For more information, a Wild Turkey Spring Season brochure is available at WDFW regional offices and on the department's website http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/turkey/.

• Wildlife viewing: Interested in seeing as many birds as possible in 24 hours? On May 10, Clallam County is participating in International Migratory Bird Day and the Clallam County Birdathon. Guaranteed to provide sightings of more than 175 species, the count covers the entire county and occurs in just one day. The event takes place in mid-May to take advantage of seeing as many migrating neotropical species as possible. All levels of birders are welcome. Contact the Dungeness River Auduboan Center at http://www.dungenessrivercenter.org or call (360) 681-4076 for more details.

  Recent sightings in the area around Point No Point included yellow and Nashville warbler, chipping sparrow, western kingbird and yellow-headed blackbird.

  One of the biggest bird-watching events of the year will take place May 2-4 in Grays Harbor County, where the 13th annual Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival will be held at Central Elementary School in Hoquiam. The festival offers field trips, lectures and viewings of the yearly migration spectacle that occurs in the Grays Harbor Wildlife refuge and other area sites. For more information, call (800) 303-8498 or visit http://www.shorebirdfestival.com.

  This time of year, birders out looking for all species of migrant and native birds often record their findings on the Tweeters bird watching website at http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/TWET.html, which is a great resource for pros and novices alike.

Southwest Washington:

• Fishing: After providing several weeks of good fishing in the lower Columbia River, the spring chinook run suddenly stalled out in mid-April, leaving anglers and fishery managers watching and waiting. By month's end, the count of fish passing Bonneville Dam jumped above 3,500 per day, but questions remain whether the run is late or lower than expected.

  "We're in kind of a holding pattern right now," said Joe Hymer, WDFW fish biologist. "It should be prime time for the next couple of weeks, and hopefully - with water temperatures warming - the fish will begin to move in the mainstem and into tributaries."

  Some of the best fishing during the last week of April was just below John Day Dam, where bank anglers were averaging a springer for every 5.6 rods, and boat anglers were reeling in a fish for every 9.3 rods. A total of 45 boats were counted in the three-mile stretch of the river there April 25.

  Some of those anglers moved upriver from Drano Lake, where boat anglers averaged just one fish for every 12.8 rods that week. On the Wind River, boat anglers averaged a fish for every 14.6 rods and bank fishing was slow.

  One positive sign is that increasing numbers of spring chinook tagged with passive integrated transponders (PIT) and bound for the Wind River have been counted at Bonneville Dam. Up to 10,000 spring chinook - more than double last year's return - are predicted to enter the Wind River, according to the pre-season forecast.

  Hymer reminds anglers planning to fish the Wind River and Drano Lake that Skamania County is now charging a fee to park or launch a boat in those areas. The one-day cost is $5, although annual passes can also be purchased. "A ticket will cost you $75, so I'd recommend paying the parking and launch fee," Hymer said.

  Boat anglers are also catching some bass in the Bonneville Pool and some walleye in The Dalles Pool.

  Below Bonneville Dam, the mainstem Columbia River remains closed to fishing for chinook and steelhead, although anglers are catching some of both species in the Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis rivers. On the Lewis, almost as many summer-run steelhead were trapped at Merwin Dam as spring chinook through April 23.

  "Spring chinook have been slow to move into those rivers, but summer steelhead appear to be right on time," Hymer said. Skamania Hatchery on the Washougal River has also reported taking in the first summer-run steelhead of the year.

  , on the other hand, are available for the catching right now from the dam downriver to the I-5 Bridge. Rising water temperatures are helping to improve the bite, especially in the stretch between Vancouver and Woodland, Hymer said. Fish may be retained Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.

  To protect spawning fish, the area from Navigation Marker 85 upstream to Bonneville Dam closes to fishing for sturgeon from May through July. Also closing to sturgeon fishing during that period is the stretch from John Day Dam downstream 2.4 miles to the west end of the grain silo at Rufus Oregon and from McNary Dam downstream 1.5 miles to the Highway 82 Bridge.

  Starting May 10, sturgeon retention will reopen in the estuary below the Wauna powerlines. After May 10, only sturgeon measuring 45 to 60 inches may be retained daily in that stretch of the Columbia River. The season for this area is scheduled to remain open through June 24 though the actual ending date depends on the 13,143 fish quota being met.

  Northwestern Reservoir on the White Salmon River was the area hotspot on the April 26 lowland lakes trout opener and it should continue to provide good fishing in the weeks ahead. WDFW sampled 25 anglers with 94 trout, a 3.76 per rod average at the 97-acre reservoir behind Condit Dam. The daily limit for trout in Washington is five.

  At Kidney Lake near North Bonneville, 57 anglers were sampled with 72 trout, a 1.26 average. In Klickitat County, the numbers were: Rowland Lake, 59 rods, 130 trout, 2.2 average; Spearfish Lake, 33 rods, 70 trout, 2.1 average; and Horsethief Lake, 14 rods with 14 trout, 1.0 average. For information on weekly trout plants see http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/weekly/.

• Hunting: The spring wild turkey season runs April 15 through May 31 throughout the state. WDFW's Wild Turkey Spring Season brochure is available at the department's regional offices and website (http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/turkey/index.htm).

• Wildlife viewing: With thousands of spring chinook salmon a day now moving past Bonneville Dam, there's no time like the present to stop by the Washington Shore Visitor Complex for a look. Underwater windows give visitors a prime view of salmon - and the occasion steelhead - parading up the fish ladder, while eel-like lamprey press against the glass with open-stretched mouths. To get there, 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.

  Want to learn more about the Columbia River's largest native inhabitant? Mark your calendar for the free Sturgeon Festival May 31 and June 1 at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE. Columbia Way in Vancouver. Environmental activities for all ages will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. both days.

  Various agencies and environmental groups will staff interactive children learning stations, and make themselves available to answer questions from parents, adults and teens. Special events include live animal presentations, fish anatomy lessons, water safety demonstrations, puppet shows, story tellers, and other events that will help the public learn more about the Columbia River ecosystem and how they can all do their part in protecting natural resources. More information is available by calling WDFW's Olaf Langness at (360) 906-6741 or Ginger May with the City of Vancouver at (360) 487-7111.

Eastern Washington:

• Fishing: Trout fishing on opening weekend at many lakes across the region proved a little slower than usual, mostly due to lingering winter-like conditions, according to Eastern Region Fish Program Manager John Whalen. Cold water and ice cover on some northern lakes kept catch rates lower this year, he explained.

  "The weather for anglers was the best we have seen in weeks with clear, sunny skies and little if any wind," Whalen said. "Lots of folks were out, but some of the traditional best bets for opening day were off substantially."

  Whalen noted, for example, that creel checks at southwest Spokane County's West Medical Lake and at Stevens County's Cedar Lake indicated an average harvest of less than one fish per angler. Other lakes that often produce lots of five-trout limits on the opener fared better, but were still slow. Starvation Lake in Stevens County had an average harvest of less than three fish per angler and Fishtrap Lake in Lincoln County averaged slightly more than three fish per angler.

  "On the other hand, Williams Lake in southwest Spokane County and Rocky Lake in Stevens County actually did pretty well, each with a harvest average of about four fish per angler," Whalen said. "Fishing will definitely pick up at many more of these lakes as the water temperatures warm. And since these fisheries are open for five or six months, this slow, cold start should extend good catch rates through the summer."

  WDFW fish hatchery crews will continue stocking lakes that could not be reached due to snow and ice before the opener. All details of fish stocking are available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/index.htm.

  In the south end of the region, catch rates have varied during the special Snake River hatchery spring chinook salmon fishing season.

  Glen Mendel, WDFW district fish biologist in Dayton, said in three days of creel checks on the river portion below Ice Harbor Dam, which opened April 22, catch rates have been measured from 2.5 to 6.5 hours of effort per chinook from shore during weekdays, and up to 37.7 hours per fish during the weekend.

  "Angler participation has been low in the Ice Harbor stretch, but some of those who are out are catching spring chinook up to 42 inches," Mendel said. "We don't currently have catch rates for boats there, but we estimate that about 75 chinook have been harvested since the season opened."

  Mendel has just two days of creel checks on the Little Goose Dam stretch that opened April 24. "So far Little Goose has also been slow for numbers of anglers, but they are catching a few fish there as well," he said. "Catch rates that we do have vary from 8.6 to 53.4 hours of effort per fish, depending on the day and location, or angler type."

  Fish counts at Bonneville have risen to about 4,000 per day, Mendel noted. "So the run is coming and fishing should improve over the next week or two," he said.

• Hunting: As spring finally arrives, wild turkeys are showing up in the usual, and even unusual, places across the region. WDFW wildlife biologists report turkeys from the Touchet River bottomlands near Prescott in Walla Walla County, to southwest Spokane County near Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, to the Colville Valley in Stevens County. The spring hunting season for the big birds has been under way since April 15, and this year's hunt runs through the entire month of May.

  All turkey hunters must report their hunting activity either by telephone (877-945-3492) or on the Internet at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. The report information is used by WDFW to better monitor hunter effort, distribution, harvest and trends. For complete information see http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/turkey/index.htm.

• Wildlife viewing: As the weather warms, a variety of different birds have been spotted throughout the region. Violet-green and tree swallows are back in abundance, checking out nestboxes, yellow-headed blackbirds have returned to wetland and riparian areas to nest, and mourning dove pairs are showing up at backyard feeding stations and other natural foraging spots.

  At least a couple of sites in the region are celebrating spring bird arrivals with special events in concert with International Migratory Bird Day, always set on the second Saturday of May.

  Celebrating International Migratory Bird Day a week later is the U.S. Bureau of Land Management staff in Spokane, who are organizing a May 17 bird-watching field trip to the channeled scablands of the region's central district. Unique areas with canyons and wetlands promise to produce glimpses of Brewer's and vesper sparrows, sage thrashers, rails, waterfowl and more. Participants will meet at the BLM office at 1103 North Fancher Road in Spokane to carpool to several locations in Spokane and Lincoln counties. Contact BLM staff at 509-536-1281 or nwilliam@blm.gov to register.

  See http://www.birdday.org for more information about International Migratory Bird Day.

  It's the beginning of wildlife reproduction time, and depending on the species, that can mean problems for some homeowners. Skunks and raccoons are the most common "nuisances" as they find crawl spaces, outbuildings, and other nooks and crannies to set up housekeeping for their babies. Squirrels, moles, rabbits, marmots, snakes and bats are among the other species preparing to raise families that are potential nuisances around homes. WDFW staff advises removing as many attractants as possible to avoid problems - close up spaces, from basement window wells to attic rafters, and keep pet food and garbage inside. Backyard bird feeding enthusiasts should clean up feed, or discontinue feeding altogether. For more information on dealing with wildlife, see WDFW's "Living With Wildlife" series at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/index.htm.

North Central Washington:

• Fishing: Relatively low pressure and few bites on the April 26 fishing season opener in the Columbia Basin only means there are plenty of trout left and great days of fishing ahead, said Jeff Korth, WDFW district fish biologist from Moses Lake.

  "I recommend Park, Blue, and Vic Meyers lakes," Korth said. "We rehabilitated these Grant County waters in 2006 and the fisheries there have improved considerably."

  Park and Blue averaged nearly four trout per angler on the opener. Vic Meyers averaged less than two fish per angler. Perch Lake, another Grant County fishery that opened April 26, averaged 3.6 trout per angler. Korth also recommends Perch for improved fishing as spring advances.

  Korth also noted that several March 1-opening fisheries in the Basin are continuing to produce good catches, including Quincy, Burke, Dusty and the Caliche lakes. Dry Falls Lake, which is a selective gear fishery that opened April 1, has also been very good.

  In the Chelan County district of the region, Art Viola, WDFW fish biologist, reports a similarly slow April 26 fishing season opener, mostly due to persistent cold weather, snow-covered roads and even ice-covered lakes.

  "Little or no fish stocking was even possible at Beehive Reservoir and Lilly Lake," Viola said, "but as spring finally arrives we should be able to get those fisheries up to speed."

  Chelan County's Wapato Lake provided very slow fishing on the opener, compared to past years, Viola said, with only a one-trout-per-angler average harvest measured. Most of those were the big triploid rainbows stocked just prior to the opener.

  In the Okanogan district, Bob Jateff, WDFW fish biologist, also reported a slower than usual season opener due to more winter-like than spring conditions. He expects that when access and water temperatures improve, fishing should be good in traditionally popular waters like Conconully, Spectacle, Wannacut, Pearrygin and Alta lakes in Okanogan County and Jameson Lake in Douglas County.

  Jim Brown, WDFW enforcement sergeant, reported that despite overall lower participation and catch rates, the Conconcully lakes on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area were among the most popular spots on the opener. "I think some of the best fishing, and largest fish we saw caught, were on Upper Conconully Lake," Brown said. "Ross and Linnell Green of Ellensburg, for example, caught their limits, including an 18-inch, 2-1/2-pound rainbow. They were pretty happy."

  While anglers wait for access to improve, Jateff suggested sampling some of the earlier-opening, catch-and-release fisheries in the area. "Davis Lake near Winthrop is producing 10-11-inch rainbows, plus a few carryovers up to 15 inches," he said. "Big and Little Green are two lakes near Omak/Okanogan that are good for rainbows 11 to12 inches. Rat Lake near Brewster has both rainbow and brown trout to 13 inches. All of these waters are catch-and-release with selective gear rules and only electric motors allowed."

  Korth also noted walleye fishing should be picking up, with the spawn about over, at Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir and Banks Lake. A walleye tournament at Potholes is scheduled May 3-4; see http://www.mardonresort.com/index3.html for more information.

  Smallmouth bass fishing on the Basin's big waters should also be good now, Korth said, but anglers must remember to follow the new regulations that go into effect May 1. There's a 10-bass limit, with no minimum size, but only one over 14".

• Hunting: Scott Fitkin, WDFW Okanogan district wildlife biologist, reports spring wild turkey hunting pressure has been down in the Okanogan, but action may pick up as snow melts and access improves. The season continues through the end of May.

  All turkey hunters must report their hunting activity either by telephone (877-945-3492) or on the Internet at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. The report information is used by WDFW to better monitor hunter effort, distribution, harvest and trends. For complete information see http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/turkey/index.htm.

• Wildlife viewing: Rich Finger, WDFW wildlife biologist from Moses Lake, says spring migration has picked up and it's a great time to go bird watching in the Columbia Basin. "Swainson's and ferruginous hawks, burrowing owls, warblers, hummingbirds, curlews, and many other species are now in the area," he said. "We even have a few sandhill cranes still around."

  Scott Fitkin, WDFW Okanogan district wildlife biologist, also reports lots of migratory birds moving through now, including loons that are staging on Okanogan lakes as they move north.

  Jim Brown, WDFW enforcement sergeant from Okanogan, recently witnessed a very large flock of mountain bluebirds in Horse Spring Coulee just west of Tonasket. "Driving the county road through there makes for great wildlife viewing," he said. "Watch for mule deer and eagles, too."

  Celebrating such spring bird arrivals is the purpose of International Migratory Bird Day, always held on the second Saturday of May. Bird-watching events on and around May 10 across the state can be found at http://www.birdday.org.

  One event in the region is the annual Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, May 16-18. The Leavenworth area includes such a diversity of habitats that festival field trip participants are likely to see everything from calliope hummingbirds to white-headed woodpeckers. Favorites include colorful harlequin ducks, Western tanagers and MacGillivray's warblers. While birding is the heart of this event, activities also include geology and wildflowers. For more information see http://www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com.

  It's the beginning of wildlife reproduction time, and depending on the species, that can mean problems for some homeowners. Skunks and raccoons are the most common "nuisances" as they find crawl spaces, outbuildings, and other nooks and crannies to set up housekeeping for their coming babies. Squirrels, moles, rabbits, marmots, snakes and bats are among the other species preparing to raise families that are potential nuisances around human homes. WDFW staff advises removing as many attractants as possible to avoid problems - close up spaces, from basement window wells to attic rafters, and keep pet food and garbage inside. Backyard bird feeding enthusiasts should clean up feed spilled on the ground, or discontinue feeding altogether now. For more information on dealing with wildlife, see WDFW's "Living With Wildlife" series at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/index.htm.

South Central Washington:

• Fishing: The region's many lakes that are open year-round continue to be stocked with catchable-size trout to keep up with fishing demand. Eric Anderson, WDFW district fish biologist from Yakima, notes big triploid rainbow trout have been planted in Mud, Myron, Fio Rito and Mattoon lakes in Yakima County. Clear, Dog, Leech and Lost lakes should be planted with triploids soon. Hatchery surplus broodstock rainbows, that run seven to eight pounds each, recently went into I-82 Ponds 1 and 2, and Tim's Pond. All details of how and where fish have been stocked are available on WDFW's South Central Region webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/regions/reg3/index.htm.

  Anderson also reminds young fishers and their parents to register for the eighth annual "Fishing Kids" event at Sarg Hubbard Pond in Yakima, scheduled this year on May 10. More than 800 five- to 14-year-old fishers will receive fishing instruction, a rod and reel, and a t-shirt for just $5 each. Registration deadline is May 2; contact the Yakima Parks and Recreation Department at 509-575-6020.

• Hunting: Spring wild turkey hunting continues through the end of May. All turkey hunters must report their hunting activity either by telephone (877-945-3492) or on the Internet at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. The report information is used by WDFW to better monitor hunter effort, distribution, harvest and trends. For complete information see http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/turkey/index.htm.

• Wildlife viewing: The celebration of International Migratory Bird Day on May 10 is a good reminder that now is the time to get the best views of many bird species that return to Washington to nest, or pass through on their way north.

  The McNary National Wildlife Refuge near the Tri-Cities is a great place to take in the spectacle. McNary's many resident bird species are joined at this time by birds that have wintered further south. Nesting species include mallard and redhead ducks, Canada geese, pied-billed grebes, burrowing owls, marsh wrens, and yellow-headed blackbirds. The Columbia River islands are host to a great blue heron rookery, as well as nesting colonies of cormorants, black-crowned night herons, Caspian terns, and white pelicans. The Walla Walla River delta is a productive area for viewing thousands of migrating shorebirds and wading birds in early spring and late summer. The Burbank Slough Unit of the refuge hosts white pelicans, American avocets, killdeer, osprey, and great blue herons. Northern harriers, red-tailed hawks and American kestrels are commonly seen hunting over Refuge fields in the spring and summer.

  For International Migratory Bird Day event information, see http://www.birdday.org.

  It's the beginning of wildlife reproduction time, and depending on the species, that can mean problems for some homeowners. Skunks and raccoons are the most common "nuisances" as they find crawl spaces, outbuildings, and other nooks and crannies to set up housekeeping for their coming babies. Squirrels, moles, rabbits, marmots, snakes and bats are among the other species preparing to raise families that are potential nuisances around human homes. WDFW staff advises removing as many attractants as possible to avoid problems - close up spaces, from basement window wells to attic rafters, and keep pet food and garbage inside. Backyard bird feeding enthusiasts should clean up feed spilled on the ground, or discontinue feeding altogether now. For more information on dealing with wildlife, see WDFW's "Living With Wildlife" series at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/index.htm.

  Several closures to protect wintering elk on WDFW wildlife areas in south central Washington will open again to public access May 1. Gates on the Robinson Canyon and Joe Watt Canyon roads into the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area west of Ellensburg in Kittitas County will be unlocked by 6 a.m. May 1, said WDFW wildlife area manager Cindi Confer. The motorized vehicle access restriction on the Whiskey Dick and a portion of the Quilomene wildlife areas, northwest of Vantage, also ends May 1.

  Confer noted one road on the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area will remain closed through spring to protect sensitive wildlife from disturbance. The Robinson View Road, within the Robinson Canyon portion of the wildlife area, will remain gated and closed to motorized vehicle access through July 15.

  Also opening to all use May 1 after winter closures are the Mellotte Road into the Wenas Wildlife Area west of Selah in Yakima County, and the Oak Creek and Bethel Ridge roads on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area southwest of Naches in Yakima County.