Shrimp season opens; razor clam season shut on 3 beaches

The state has announced there will be no more razor clam digs at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis. If marine toxin tests show clams are safe to eat, there might be a future dig at Mocrocks. Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said a decision on the dig would likely be made next week.

Ayres said domoic acid levels are too high at Long Beach and Twin Harbors to allow any more digs. Copalis is being closed because the state’s harvest quota has been reached.

The state typically shuts the season down in May because the clams have begun to spawn.

LAKES

American: The rainbow trout seem to be holding about 15 feet down. They have been hitting red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler and trolled behind a Sling Blade.

Black: Crappie anglers are using jigs to catch fishing measuring 8-10 inches.

Clear (Thurston): Poeple are catching rainbow trout by trolling with a Rapala lure in the rainbow trout pattern, or a Smile Blade in the orange-and-black pattern.

Nahwatzel: The trout fishing has been good. Anglers reporting having success using chartreuse Power Eggs or Power Bait, floated off the bottom on a leader 3-4 feet long.

Potholes: The walleye fishing is improving as the fished have finished spawning. Anglers are finding walleye in Lind Coulee, the mouth of Crab Creek and in the sand dunes. Fishing for largemouth bass remains very good in the dunes, while smallmouth bass are concentrated near the rock piles near the dam.

Spanaway: People are using orange Power Bait, or rainbow with glitter, to hook trout. Some are adding herring or shrimp scent.

Summit: Trolling with corn-tipped Wedding Rings has been producing some limits of trout.

RIVERS

Yakima: Conditions in the lower canyon were poor Thursday and were likely to last through the weekend. The upper river, above the confluence with the Teanaway River, would be the best option right now.

SALT WATER

Fly fishing: Fishing for coastal cutthroat trout has been very good in the Olympia area. Baitfish patterns have been working best. Many fish are measuring 16-18 inches long.

South Sound: People have been fishing for ling cod amid the rock piles in the Tacoma Narrows, using live herring on slack tides. Point Fosdick, Point Gibson and Wollochet Bay in Marine Area 13 (Olympia) have been producing some chinook. Marine Area 11 (Tacoma) is closed to salmon fishing. Shrimping will be allowed in Marine Area 11 Saturday (May 6). In Marine Area 13, shrimping will be open Saturday and May 20. On Saturday, Wednesday, May 17 and 20 shrimping will be allowed on Hood Canal. Shrimping in these areas will be allowed from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Boaters planning to launch at Point Defiance Saturday will be able to park their trailers at a designated area at Point Defiance Elementary School, 4330 N. Visscher St., Tacoma. The Point Defiance Boathouse Marina will run a free shuttle between the school and the launch from 6 a.m.-4 p.m. The lot also will be available Saturdays and Sundays June 3-Sept. 3.

This story was originally published May 5, 2017 at 10:17 AM with the headline "Shrimp season opens; razor clam season shut on 3 beaches."