Posts Tagged ‘WDFW’

WDFW: Two Poles Today!

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced earlier this week that starting today, August 15, anglers will have the option of fishing with two poles in the water on most Washington lakes. The result of a new law passed by the state Legislature, the two-pole endorsement option will apply to the majority of the 8,000 fishing lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in the state.

As is the case with most things that sound too good to be true, the two-pole option doesn’t come without its fair share of fine print. For instance, anglers wishing to take advantage of the new opportunity will be required to pay a $20 fee (in addition to the cost of a recreational fishing license). What’s more, the total cost for the endorsement will be $24.50 because of a 10 percent state surcharge, a 10 percent transaction fee, and a $.50 dealer fee.

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WDFW: Cougar Season Stalks Closer

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

Cougar season is set to begin on September 1 in Washington, and this year, bow hunters will be taking the first shots.

According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), under new rules, cougar hunting will begin with a statewide archery-only season September 1-25, followed by a muzzleloader-only season September 26-October 16, and beginning October 17, hunters may use any legal weapon to target cougars in most areas of the state.

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All Adventurers: Be safe this hunting season

Monday, July 27th, 2009

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) wants to remind outdoor enthusiasts to be safe this coming hunting season. With black bear season opening August 1 throughout most of the state, it’s important for hunters to remember they’re not the only ones taking advantage of everything nature has to offer in Washington — hikers, campers, and anglers are out there, too.

WDFW offers the following safety tips to adventurers this hunting season: (more…)

Sturgeon Season Extended!

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Oregon and Washington extended the white sturgeon fishing season in the lower Columbia River, giving anglers a chance to catch the 4,100 fish still available under the season’s harvest limit.

Now, anglers will have two additional opportunities to legally fish white sturgeon on the Columbia. The first three-day retention period will take place Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12. The second period will take place Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19.

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WDFW: Free Sturgeon Fest

Sunday, May 17th, 2009

Come join the Washington Department of Fish and Game (WDFW) on May 30 and 31 to celebrate the 13th annual Sturgeon Festival in Vancouver, Washington. The event is free and will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the Water Resources Education Center on SE Columbia Way.

The City of Vancouver is hosting the event with help from WDFW. WDFW says the event is a popular one and includes entertaining and educational activities for all ages like the Wild on Wildlife bird presentation, puppet shows, Portland Audubon Birds of Prey, the Creature Feature Reptile Zoo, and Chinook Tribal Lore.

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WDFW: “Big” Season Opener

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

“An improved average catch rate and some bigger fish made cool, windy weather tolerable for thousands of anglers during the April 25 Washington lowland lake fishing season opener,” writes the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in a recent press release.

A WDFW biologist said the weather kept some people indoors, so the boat ramps were not as busy for the opener. He added that there were some pretty good catch rates and nice-sized fish caught despite the below average turnout.

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Washington: Toxic Algae Closes Lakes

Friday, April 24th, 2009

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife released an advisory regarding trout season’s opening day on Saturday, April 25. The press release advised anglers that Jefferson County Public Health and Washington State Parks have closed public access to Anderson Lake in Jefferson County due to the presence of toxic algae.

WDFW asserts that Jefferson County Public Health has determined that algae blooms in Anderson Lake are producing a dangerous neurotoxin, which poses a risk to public health.

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WDFW: Halibut Season Stifled

Friday, March 20th, 2009

Puget Sound recreational halibut fishing is set to open April 23, though hindered with a reduction in catch quotas for 2009, according to a recent Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) press release.

Fishing seasons set by WDFW are based on a stock assessment and quotas established for the Pacific coast — from Alaska to California — by the International Pacific Halibut Commission. As a result, Washington anglers have fewer days to fish for halibut in the Puget Sound and on the coast as well.

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