Lower Columbia sturgeon fishing open today through Saturday

By Bob Brown | For The Olympian • Published July 17, 2008

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Sturgeon fishing reopens in the lower Columbia today through Saturday below the Wauna power lines downstream to Buoy 10 and all adjacent tributaries. Fishing for sturgeon also will be allowed July 26-27 in the same section of the river.

Recreational halibut fishing is scheduled to open July 26 in near shore areas off the north coast and along the western Strait of Juan de Fuca. If sufficient fish remain before the quota is reached, the near shore fishery will reopen Aug. 1, said Heather Reed, coastal policy coordinator for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

A two-day halibut opener is scheduled for Aug. 1-2 in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco). During this fishery, fishing for, retention of or possession of bottom fish except sablefish and Pacific cod when halibut are on board is prohibited.

Steelhead fishing has been very good in the lower Columbia, especially in the Gorge where boat anglers averaged 2.5 steelhead per boat last week. Fishing also has been good in the Cowlitz, very good in the Lewis and fair to good in the Kalama and King County's Green River.

On the Olympic Peninsula, the Sol Duc has been producing some sockeye and coho. Sturgeon fishing was good last week below Wauna power lines and is expected to be just as good during this week's reopener.

The pikeminnow reward fishery continues to be lucrative for participating anglers. Saltwater fishing has been good in coastal waters and getting progressively better in the Tacoma area and Hood Canal. Lowland lakes are producing some trout. Pan fish have been producing most of the action.

RIVERS

COWLITZ: Anglers continue to catch steelhead around the trout hatchery, barrier dam and Blue Creek. Bank angling has been fair at barrier dam during morning and evening hours and about the same for the Blue Creek area.

Shore anglers are using a lot of jig-and-bobbers while boat anglers have using Spin-N-Glow and divers with coon shrimp. They also have been free-drifting baits.

Jarrod Ligh of 4 Corners Store in Castle Rock said bank anglers have been doing well in the lower river and catches have increased for boat anglers. The river is at summertime low, with a visibility of about 2 to 3 feet above the mouth of the Toutle, but chocolate-brown below the mouth.