Summer catch reports are due by Oct. 1.
Only Marine Areas 7-North and 7-South near the San Juan Islands will remain open after Labor Day. Anglers in those areas from Sept. 5-30 must record their catches on their winter catch cards, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“Catch reports play a major role in determining how much crab is still available for harvest during the winter season,” Rich Childers, WDFW’s shellfish policy leader, said in a statement.
“It’s important that we receive reports from everyone licensed to fish for crab in Puget Sound – whether or not they caught crab this year.”
WDFW will announce winter crab seasons for Puget Sound in early October.
SALTWATER
South Sound: Fishing has been fair for pinks, silvers and chinook, said the staff at the Point Defiance Boathouse Marina. For pinks, try the mouth of the Puyallup River and the shores toward Brown’s Point and Quartermaster Harbor. Head to Gig Harbor to try for silvers and chinook.
Coast: Anglers are now required to release all chinook salmon they catch in ocean waters. The WDFW changed the rule Monday because anglers’ total catch of chinook salmon for the summer is approaching the overall harvest quota.
Sekiu: Drop a line about 60 feet deep for your best chance to catch coho.
LAKES
American: Still a good place to go to try for kokanee.
Offut: The bass, bluegill and perch are biting for those fishing with night crawlers.
Mayfield: Staff members at Fish Country Inc. say trout fishing here is improving. Try trolling near Winston Creek and Tilton River using wedding rings with pop gear and worms, corn or shrimp.
Riffe: Still a good place to try for silvers. Fish Country Inc. recommends using worms and cocktail shrimp under a bobber about 30-60 feet deep.
Chelan: The trout are biting early in the morning near Mack Bar and later in the day near the South Shore by the Yacht Club, said Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad’s Family Guide Service.
RIVERS
Puyallup: Fishing continues to be outstanding here, according to several fishing shops. The lower river is good place to go to try for pinks.
Columbia: Buoy 10 is open for coho and hatchery steelhead fishing. Last week the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that anglers were keeping one hatchery coho for every nine rods. Boat anglers are catching fall chinook and summer-run steelhead at the Bonneville Pool. Some anglers are landing walleye in the areas around Woodland, Camas and Washougal.
Cowlitz: Anglers are catching fall chinook, summer-run steelhead and coho from their boats. Fish Country Inc. reports that 90 percent of the kings being caught are wild and must be released. Use eggs either free drifting or under a bobber as far up as Barrier Dam.
Drano: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that anglers are averaging more than one steelhead per rod. Some are also catching fall chinook and coho.
Lewis: Summer-run steelhead are biting here.
White Salmon: Bank anglers are catching fall chinook and coho.
Craig Hill, staff writer blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure
