Idaho Fish Report

Several fisheries are set to open in the weeks ahead, and the year’s first general hunting season isn’t far behind.

With a new season of outdoor adventures about to begin, Washingtonians might want to consider purchasing 2020-2021 recreational hunting and fishing licenses before current licenses expire at midnight March 31.

Hunters don’t forget to enter the drawing for a multi-season tag by March 31. Follow the link to enter - fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/Home/SpecialHunt.

As freshwater fishing opens this March and April, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Boating Program reminds you to take a boater safety education course, if you haven’t already, to be prepared for the season.

Popular outdoor opportunities available this month include:

• Columbia River spring chinook: The spring Chinook salmon season got underway March 1 on the lower Columbia River with a preseason forecast similar to the 2019 actual return. Fishing conditions are slowly improving compared to those in late February.

• Razor clams: Diggers can look forward to several digs this month, including a tentatively scheduled two-day dig that corresponds with the annual Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival on March 21.

• Eastern Washington lakes: Fishing opens March 1 at several lakes east of the Cascades, although some are still iced up. Check the regional Weekender reports for more information.

• Ocean bottomfish: Washington’s fishing seasons for coastal bottomfish and lingcod will open March 14 under new rules that reflect stronger growth in two rockfish species in recent years.