Fishing report for May 3
SALT WATER
Puget Sound: All Puget Sound marine areas are closed to salmon and steelhead fishing until further notice. State and tribes fishery managers have been unable to reach and agreement on salmon fisheries and they are now seeking separate federal permits.
In the South Sound, lingcod fishing is open for anglers fishing at a depth of 120 feet or less. The Point Defiance Boathouse Marina staff suggests the Narrows Bridges as a traditionally good spot for lingcod fishing.
Razor clams: The state has approved a coastal razor clam dig starting Friday at Long Beach.
Digging will be allowed before noon Friday-Sunday at Long Beach, then May 9-12 at Mocrocks. At Mocrocks, digging will be allowed until 1 p.m. because of the later low tides.
Diggers have reportedly had luck reaching their 15-clam limit in rapid fashion. Diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig.
The next dig is proposed for May 20-22 at Mocrocks and May 20-21 at Copalis.
Ilwaco: The halibut season is underway.
Westport: Lingcod fishing has been good according to the Westport Charterboat Association. Halibut season started Sunday.
LAKES
American: Rainbow trout have been biting here.
Bitter: This King County lake was stocked with more than 1,500 fish last week.
Black: State stocking reports show more than 7,000 trout were added last week.
Carter: Stocked last week with more than 1,300 fish.
Deep: The state added 4,000 fish to this King County lake last week.
Fivemile: Stocked last week with 3,200 catchable rainbows.
Kapowsin: Stocked again last week. Another 246 trout, means it’s been stocked with more than 30,000 fish over the past three months.
Long: This Thurston County lake was infused with more than 3,500 fish last week.
Mill Pond: This King County fishing hole was stocked last week with 1,000 catchable rainbow trout from the Puyallup hatchery.
Saint Clair: Largemouth bass have been biting. This Thurston County lake was stocked last week with 4,200 catchable rainbow trout.
Silver: Anglers are having luck catching crappie.
Tanwax: Crappie jigs and wedding rings with worms were catching fish last week.
Chelan: Anton Jones of Darrell and Dad’s Guide services said trolling near the Yacht Club for trout continues to be good. “Also hot is the Manson Bay bite for Lake Trout,” Jones said. “The Kokanee bite continues spotty during this reporting period except for the early morning bite.”
Wapato: This lake near Chelan is “pumping out some respectable rainbow trout,” Jones said.
RIVERS
Cowlitz: Tacoma Power reports that last week its employees recovered 493 winter-run steelhead, nine summer-run steelhead, 793 spring chinook adults and 47 spring chinook jacks at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator.
Tilton: Nine winter-run steelhead adults were released by Tacoma Power last week at Morton’s Gust Backstrom park.
WHAT’S CLOSED?
With state and tribal fishery managers unable to agree on Puget Sound fisheries, May 1 marked the beginning of significant closures in the area.
Puget Sound: All marine areas closed to salmon and steelhead fishing.
Lakes: Washington, Sammamish, Monte Cristo, Cushman, Barney and Washington Ship Canal (Lake Union, Portage Bay and Salmon Bay).
Rivers: Many rivers and sections of rivers are also closed.
WHAT’S OPEN?
South Sound Rivers and streams that remain open. For a complete list visit wdfw.wa.gov.
Green Duwamish: From Friday Creek upstream including all tributaries.
Clover Creek: Steilacoom Lake upstream and all tributaries.
Nisqually: Alder Reservoir upstream including Little Nisqually, Mineral Creek, and north fork Mineral Creek and all other tributaries.
Beaver Ponds: Ponds on Tahuya Peninsula west and east of state Route 3.
Skokomish: South Forkfrom Rule Creek upstream.
Le Bar: Upstream of falls at river mile 1.
Church: Upstream of bridge on Forest Road 2361.
Lilliaup: Upstream from falls.
Hamma Hamma: Upstream from falls.
Fulton: Upstream from falls at river mile 0.8.
Big Quilcene: Upstream from upper boundary of Falls View Campground.
Rocky Brook: Upstream from falls.
Little Quilcene: Upstream from Little Quilcene River Bridge on Penny Creek Road.
Other creeks open on Hood Canal: Jefferson, Washington, Penny and Lena.
This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Fishing report for May 3."