Fishing report for Feb. 19

SALTWATER

Razor clams: The most widespread razor clam digging opportunity of the year takes place this weekend on the Washington coast. The Long Beach dig continues through March 10. Recent marine toxin tests performed by the state show that the clams are still safe to eat. Digging is allowed after noon and is best on tides of less than one foot.

Copalis and Mocrocks are also open for digging this weekend. Copalis is open Saturday and Mocrocks is open Saturday and Sunday.

Twin Harbors remains closed because of high domoic acid levels.

Low tides are at 5:17 p.m. Saturday (minus 0.1 feet) and 5:56 p.m. Sunday (minus 0.2 feet).

South Sound: The Point Defiance Boathouse Marina staff reports that salmon fishing is still quiet and few anglers are bothering to try. Anglers are catching squid from area docks.

North Sound: Marine Area 6 (East Strait of Juan de Fuca) closes Monday for salmon fishing.

Hood Canal: Crabbing is allowed for another week. The current season ends Feb. 28.

LAKES

American: David Anderson of Bill’s Boathouse says the action is still slow.

Harts: Action has been slow.

Offut: Becky Pogue of Offut Lake Resort said anglers were doing well Friday morning, with most rainbows coming in at 16 inches or longer. Cutthroats are biting, too. She says fishermen are using all colors of Power Eggs, night crawlers and garlic oil.

Sammamish: Cutthroat trout have been biting.

Potholes: Carolyn Burdick of MarDon Resort reports, “With the warmer weather the walleye and perch fishing is just beginning. Fishing in boats has been producing many walleyes. We have been seeing limits now for four weeks, (using) the blade baits, rapala jigging and whistle rigs (which is a two-hook jig with a night crawler). This year, boat fishers have also been using Fisher Brother adjustable walleye rig with a slow death hook and a night crawler. …”

RIVERS

Columbia: The state’s initial forecast for fall chinook returns on the Columbia in February is 951,300. Last year, the February projection was 900,200 and the actual return was 1.3 million. Sturgeon fishing is now catch-and-release only in the Bonneville Pool and from Buoy 10 upstream to The Dalles Dam. Retention is open in The Dalles and John Day pools, where walleye fishing has been good.

Cowlitz: Karen Glaser of Barrier Dam Campground Tackle Shop in Salkum says anglers are catching steelhead mostly at Blue Creek, but also near the dam. Bank anglers are using jig and bobber topped with bait. The water level is high, flowing at 14,500 cubic feet per second.

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 1:42 PM with the headline "Fishing report for Feb. 19."