Weekender gets a makeover, summer fishing opportunities continue

The WDFW Weekender Report gets a makeover this month. In the coming months, look for new Weekender features and more frequently updated content.

Summer fisheries are in full swing throughout the state this month, providing some of the year's best fishing opportunities in lakes and streams, along the coast, and on the Columbia River.

Some hunters will take to the field for black bear in the first big-game hunt of the season, while others will scout deer and elk hunting areas in preparation for fall seasons.

Popular outdoor opportunities in August include:

• Columbia River salmon: Fall chinook and coho fishing opens Aug. 1, drawing thousands of anglers to the popular Buoy 10 fishery near the mouth of the Columbia. Chinook salmon fishing is also underway on the Upper Columbia River from Rocky Reach to Wells dams.
• Puget Sound crab: Several Puget Sound marine areas are open for crabbing in August, including marine areas 6 (East Juan de Fuca Strait), 7 South (San Juan Islands/Bellingham), 8-1 (Deception Pass), 8-2 (Port Susan/Everett), and 9 (Admiralty Inlet). Marine Area 7 North opens Aug. 15. Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) will close Aug. 3. Recreational crabbing is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays in all areas of Puget Sound through Labor Day, Sept. 2.
• Trout and warmwater fish: Anglers fishing for trout and warmwater species, such as bass and yellow perch, should continue to do well at many lakes across the state.
• Ocean salmon: The ocean salmon fishery is underway. Throughout the summer, anglers can check for fishery updates on WDFW's ocean sport quota webpage.
• Black bears: Hunting opens Aug. 1 statewide. Hunters are allowed two black bears during the general season.

Hunting and fishing rule booklets are available from license dealers while supplies last and online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/ and https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/.

Region-by-region descriptions of fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing opportunities are detailed in the Weekender Regional Reports at https://wdfw.wa.gov/weekender/. These reports are updated throughout the month.

Persons with disabilities who need to receive this information in an alternative format or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may contact Dolores Noyes by phone (360-902-2349), TTY (360-902-2207), or email ([email protected]). For more information, see https://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/reasonable_request.html.