WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
NEWS RELEASE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
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July 02, 1998
Contact: Jeff Weathersby, (360) 902-2256

Fish and wildlife offer many July 4 weekend activities

OLYMPIA--Washington offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy fish and wildlife and other natural resources this long July 4 weekend.

"Families don't need sophisticated knowledge or expensive equipment to enjoy Washington's outdoor treasures," said Larry Peck, deputy director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. "Often it is just a matter of a drive to the beach, forest or park to catch a fish, dig an oyster dinner or see an elk, mountain goat or bighorn sheep ."

Here are some ideas:

  • Crabbing-- Sport fishers may use crab pots this weekend in portions of Marine Area 7, including Bellingham, Samish, Padilla and Fidalgo bays. The San Juan County portion of Marine area 7 as well as Marine Areas 8-1 (Deception Pass, Hope Island and Skagit Bay) and 8-2 (Ports Susan and Gardner) also are open for crab pots. Other areas of Puget Sound are open for fishing with rings and other gear
  • Halibut: Fishing for halibut is excellent in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, especially in the Port Angeles area
  • Bottom fish: There is good fishing for rockfish, ling cod and other marine species in Westport, LaPush and Neah Bay areas
  • Salmon: The San Juan Islands area and central Puget Sound opened July 1 for salmon angling. Chinook must be released
  • Trout: Tucannon Lakes off the Tucannon River in southeast Washington just received a large supply of hatchery trout for good weekend fishing. Check the Washington Fishing Guide for other trout hotspots
  • Warmwater fishing: This is a good weekend for fishing for bass, crappie, sunfish and other warmwater species in many of Washington's lakes; check the Washington Fishing Guide for details
  • Sturgeon: Anglers may harvest a sturgeon between four and five feet in length in the Columbia River and its tributaries between John Day and McNary dams. Anglers must release sturgeon caught between John Day and Bonneville dams.
  • Oysters: The weekend will be the beginning of a low tide series that will provide good oyster gathering opportunities at many Hood Canal and Puget Sound beaches
  • Tidepools: Edmonds Beach; Kalaloch/Rialto Beach in the Olympia National Park; Salt Creek on the Strait of Juan de Fuca; Rosario Beach at Deception Pass State Park
  • Butterflies and wild flowers: check the following areas: Wenatchee's Tumwater Canyon; the Oak Creek Wildlife Area on Highway 12; Bird Creek Meadows at Mount Adams; the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area between Ellensburg and Yakima; Hurricane Ridge in the Olympia National Park; Mt. Ellinor Trail in the Olympic National Forest and the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve near Olympia
  • Mountain goats: great places to observe goats include: Timberwolf Mountain in the William O. Douglas Wilderness Area; Goat Lake/ Stonewall Ridge in the Goat Rocks Wilderness Area and the Mt. Ellinor Trail in the Olympia National Forest
  • Osprey: Fledglings can be seen trying their wings from snags and power poles along almost any major river
  • Bighorn sheep: Lambs can be seen on the Wooten Wildlife Area near Dayton
  • Elk: Calves are being born in the Blue Mountains. They are most visible near dawn and dusk in meadows as they graze
People fishing and hunting in Washington must purchase licenses. Licenses are sold at WDFW offices as well as many sporting good stores. Fishers also should check the Fishing in Washington regulation pamphlet while hunters should check WDFW's regulation pamphlets.