Fishing for July 8

LAKES

Baker: The sockeye salmon fishery opened Wednesday, earlier than expected because the run has been larger than forecast. The daily limit is five adult sockeye measuring longer than 18 inches.

Clear (Pierce): The action for rainbow trout has been fair to good, and a bit better than the kokanee action. The fish seem to be about 20-40 feet deep.

Pass: Fly anglers are having some success catching rainbow and brown trout. Some of the brown trout are measuring more than 20 inches long.

Potholes: The fishing has slowed because water temperatures are getting warmer. Look for walleye in water 10-15 feet deep in the sand dunes and in the Lind Coulee Arm. Largemouth bass are being caught in the dunes, where there are pockets of deeper water and cover. Look for smallmouth bass holding in deeper water off the face of the dam.

Seep lakes: Before heading to these lakes, check road conditions. Some have been closed to prevent possible wildfires.

Silver (Pierce): Anglers are catching trout, crappie and largemouth bass. Trout anglers are using Power Bait floated 3-4 feet off the bottom, and trolling small flies such as woolly buggers.

Summit (Thurston): The lake is producing some limits of kokanee. Pink seems to be the most effective color for lures and dodgers. Look for fish holding 40-50 feet deep.

Ward: Trolling with Wedding Rings in orange or chartreuse, and tipped with corn, has produced catches of kokanee and rainbow trout.

RIVERS

Columbia: Anglers can fish for sockeye salmon from Priest Rapids Dam to 400 feet below Wells Dam, and from the State Route 173 bridge in Brewster to Chief Joseph Dam. The sockeye run is now predicted at 350,000 fish, well above the preseason forecast of 102,000. Check regulations for limits and season lengths. The river from Wells Dam to the State Route 173 bridge will open July 16.

Olympic Coast: Anglers are reminded of some major rule changes, including no fishing with bait on rivers such as the Sol Duc, Bogachiel and Calawah.

Yakima: The trout fishing might be more challenging this weekend as river flows have jumped by almost one-third since Wednesday. Look for the fish holding tight to the bank and in slower side channels.

SALTWATER

North Sound: The salmon fishing has been fair to good. Coho Killers have been effective. Marine Area 7 South will reopen for spot shrimp Saturday and run through July 16. The daily limit is 160 shrimp.

South Sound: The salmon fishing has been slowed some by large tidal changes this week. Some chinook are being caught off the clay banks and the shelf area off the Point Defiance Boathouse. Trolling with an artificial squid or a spoon behind a flasher has been working well. Anglers throughout the Sound are having to deal with lots of dogfish. Crabbing has been fair, with most crab being found in water 120-150 feet deep. In the Olympia area, few people have been heading out, so the reports have been scant. The crabbing has been fair to good, especially when compared with last year.

Westport: The salmon fishing has been slowly improving. Look for chinook in water about 200-260 feet deep. Trolling with bait has been effective early in the season. The action for rockfish and ling cod remains very good.

This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 10:05 AM with the headline "Fishing for July 8."