Discover South Central Washington

Bass and walleye 

Many sections of the Columbia and Snake Rivers in south central Washington hold large walleye and smallmouth bass populations. Wintertime is usually a slow period for walleye compared to summer, but those caught are often larger. Ideal spots for winter walleye in the Tri-Cities area include the Snake River downstream to Badger Island and from McNary Dam downstream to Boardman. Smallmouth bass are often found in the mix.

There is no minimum size and no limit on the number of walleye, bass, or channel catfish anglers can keep while fishing in the Columbia and Snake rivers. Scooteney Reservoir southeast of Othello has a mix of yellow perch and walleye and can provide ice fishing opportunities when safe to do so.

Trout fishing 

Elton Pond North near Selah was recently stocked with 2,000-plus half-pound rainbow trout. The opener on Nov. 29 generated excellent fishing for trout 14 to 17 inches long for many anglers choosing to “opt-outside” for Black Friday. Anglers can continue to fish the pond until Mar. 31. Good fishing should be available until the pond ices over, or even after for those wanting to ice fish if safe to do so. 

Anglers can also look forward to reeling in hefty broodstock rainbow trout from a half-dozen small lakes and ponds in and around Yakima and Ellensburg. Stocking dates are not preset, but WDFW started planting these 3-to-10-pound fish in mid-October. Anglers can check the trout plant reports for the South Central Region (Region 3) to see when these fish are available.

Columbia River salmon fishing 

The lower section of the Hanford Reach from the I-182 Bridge upstream to old Hanford townsite powerline is open for Chinook and coho salmon, as well as steelhead (with adipose and right ventral fin clip) through Dec. 31.  See the WDFW website for additional information. 

White sturgeon fishing 

Fishing is limited to catch-and-release only and can be good at times to fish for sturgeon in sections of the Columbia and Snake rivers. Water temperatures have cooled down which greatly improves the bite and the fight. The river flows are typically much lower which allows most anglers the opportunity to fish waters that they might deem too hazardous during the spring and summer.

Lake Wallula (McNary Reservoir) is open year-round for sturgeon except for a winter closure from the Hanford townsite to Vernita Bridge but limited to catch-and-release only. Use one single point barbless hook when fishing for sturgeon. Fishing at night is not allowed. Please review the Washington Sport Fishing Rules for additional restrictions on sturgeon fishing including the upstream section of the Hanford Reach.

Whitefish

The three-month winter whitefish season opens Dec. 1 in the Yakima River between the Highway 223 bridge near Granger and 3,500 feet below Roza Dam; Roza Dam to Easton Dam; the lower Cle Elum River and the lower Naches River downstream of its confluence with the Tieton River. As in years past, the catch limit is 15 fish per day. The winter whitefish season closes Feb. 28, 2025, in all open areas. Check the WDFW fishing regulation pamphlet for whitefish gear rules.

Hunters planning their late season hunts can check the regulations for start dates, and WDFW's Hunt Planner, which provides information on permit and general season hunts based on location, date, weapon choice, and more. You can also visit this page for the annual hunting prospects and sign up here for Hunter Education.

Waterfowl 

Statewide hunting seasons for ducks, coots, and snipe runs through Jan. 26, 2025. There are many resources on the WDFW website including our “Let’s Go Waterfowl Hunting” page where you can find resources on where to go waterfowl hunting; waterfowl hunting techniques; and waterfowl identification.

In Yakima and Kittitas counties, the best waterfowl hunting is found in the Lower Yakima Valley, especially on Yakama Nation lands, which has abundant opportunity along the Yakima River. The Yakama Nation’s Satus Wildlife Area is the most popular and open to hunting Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

December is very hard to predict for waterfowl. If weather is mild, ducks may stay further north outside of our region, but as it gets colder, northern birds move south into our area. Depending on temps, shallow inland water bodies may freeze up, concentrating birds on moving rivers and larger deeper lakes. If it gets very cold, there can be ice in the rivers and hunting will be difficult. If it warms up and everything thaws, birds will move back and forth, and hunting opportunity should improve. The changing weather is often some of the best hunting as “new” birds move in that don’t know where the reserves are. During long periods of stagnant weather, there is little movement and most birds in the area stay in reserves during the day and only go out to feed at night.

The Sunnyside Unit within the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area on WDFW-managed land has several wetlands. The Johnson wetland and Rice paddies wetlands are full and have hunting potential when weather changes move waterfowl down from the northern parts of the flyway. Contact the Sunnyside Wildlife area for information on water levels and ADA blinds.

There are many places to hunt ducks and geese in Benton and Franklin counties including locations on WDFW’s Windmill Ranch Unit, Mesa Lake Unit, Scooteney Reservoir, Sunnyside Wildlife Area units, and Bailie Memorial Youth Ranch. Many parts of the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers are also open to waterfowl hunting. Be mindful of city limits and Migratory Bird Closures (see the regulations (PDF): page 57). The Windmill Unit also has nine circles of corn that can provide field hunting opportunities. Hunting in the corn fields can be productive in the afternoons as the weather turns colder. 

Upland game birds 

General seasons for California quail, partridge and chukar are under way. Forest grouse hunting season is open through Jan. 15, 2025. For those planning a pheasant hunt be sure to look at the annual Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program Report for maps and sites related to WDFW pheasant releases. It’s a great opportunity for new hunters or train dogs on some game birds! Non-toxic shot is required at all release sites. To date over 5,000 pheasants have been released at sites within the South Central Region. 

Late deer and elk 

Archers and muzzleloaders will be in the field for late deer or elk hunts in a few regional game management units (GMU) this month. Dates and rules for those hunts are described in the Big Game Hunting Regulations.

Herds return to Oak Creek Wildlife Area 

In winter at WDFW's Oak Creek Wildlife Area, elk are fed to help prevent elk-human conflict. Extensive fencing has been installed to limit elk movement into adjacent agricultural lands where they may cause agricultural damage or contract diseases from domestic animals. In addition to the fencing, a feeding program was implemented to help keep elk from pressuring fence lines and reduce their movement into private property. This feeding program also offers public wildlife-viewing and educational opportunities. 

There is a recorded informational message for visitors interested in learning about this program and viewing elk at 509-653-2390. Feeding starts once winter conditions dictate. There are typically some elk on the feed site all day, but the large numbers come in at the 1:30p.m. feeding. A valid state Discover Pass or WDFW Vehicle Access Pass is required to park at the Wildlife Area. Visitors can purchase a one-day Discover Pass at the wildlife area with cash or check once the feeding starts. Vehicle Access Passes are free with the purchase of certain fishing and hunting licenses.

Feeding wildlife

While WDFW feeds elk at Oak Creek to reduce issues with area farmers, we discourage residents in urban and suburban areas from feeding wildlife in their yards. Although some people see this type of feeding as helping these animals, it can hurt them and potentially cause illness and death for animals as their digestive systems aren’t designed to process certain kinds of foods. Check WDFW’s page on wildlife feeding for more information. 

Bighorn sheep viewing 

The best viewing opportunities are the Yakima River Canyon along Highway 821 and on Clemans Mountain (along Hwy 410). Bighorn sheep are not currently being fed at the Oak Creek bighorn sheep feed site at Clemans Mountain, however sheep may still be visible from the parking area. 

Christmas Bird Count 

The largest and longest-running citizen science project in North America – the 125^th annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) – occurs in dozens of count circles across Washington between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5. The early winter counts tally bird numbers by species and provide a valuable snapshot of where birds are concentrated at this time of year across North America. There are count circles within the South Central Region including Tri-Cities, Yakima, Toppenish, and Cle Elum areas.

Migrating birds 

This is typically the time when large numbers of migrating ducks and geese move through Washington from far-north locations seeking open water and warmer temperatures. The spectacle of waterfowl can be amazing when bad weather concentrates large numbers of birds in areas such as the McNary National Wildlife Refuge. You can find scoters and other uncommon waterfowl species on larger rivers and waterways, as well as wintering gulls which have arrived in the region and can provide surprises for those with patience and skill in bird identification. Drake ducks are beginning to regain breeding plumages and numbers of snow and white-fronted geese will build this month along with familiar Canada geese. 

Avian influenza “Bird Flu”

With the annual wild bird migration underway, WDFW is expecting to see a resurgence in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, this fall and winter.  Avian influenza occurs naturally among wild aquatic birds (ducks, geese, swans, gulls and terns, and shorebirds) and can infect poultry and other bird and animal species. The virus spreads among birds through saliva, nasal secretions, feces, and contaminated surfaces. Do NOT touch or move animals. Attempting to nurse a bird back to health or transport it to a wildlife rehabilitator can spread the virus to areas where it didn’t exist before. More on avian influenza can be found in this blog post. Please report sick or dead wild birds suspected of having avian influenza. Reporting sick or dead birds or other wildlife to WDFW’s online reporting tool can help the Department monitor the spread of viruses and notify members of the public to take precautions.

In extreme cold, shelter is essential for wildlife. Leave your leaves on the ground or push off paths into natural spaces. Leaves, sticks, logs, and rock piles are life-saving cover for many of the smallest wildlife species, such insects and slugs, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. In winter, stay out of caves and other places wildlife might be hibernating to help them preserve essential energy. In the spring, skip mowing the lawn in the earliest months when blooms are scarce, so pollinators have more food.

To read reports published prior to 2023, visit the Biweekly Wildlife Program activity reports page.

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Photo by WDFW

Mike Livingston, the South Central Regional Director (Region 3) grew up fishing, hunting and playing in the forests of southeast Michigan. He received a bachelor’s degree in Conservation from Northern Michigan University, a bachelor’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Management from Michigan State University and a master’s in Wildlife Science from New Mexico State University.

Since 1996 Mike has worked in eastern Washington and held wildlife biologist positions with the Army’s Yakima Training Center, the Yakama Nation, and WDFW as District Wildlife Biologist in the Tri-Cities. In 2012, he was promoted to his current position as WDFW’s Region 3 Director. As Regional Director, he oversees operations in the region and gets to work on big collaborative conservation projects such as the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. When not working, you can often find him outside with his: family, friends, dog, shotgun, fishing rod, and/or backpack.